First gray light over a bare gravel plain: a small wrapped man stands seen from behind at the foot of a gray ash mound, where faint tracks part in front of him, the horizon empty on every side, under a pale, empty dawn sky.

The Book of

Job 23

Job speaks, round three. Eliphaz told him to return to God. Job says he would, if he could only find Him.

17 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–3The testBlameless, stripped of everything, and his cry
4–14Round oneThe friends speak; Job answers
15–21Round twoMy Redeemer lives
22–31Round threeThen wisdom, and Job's last defenseChapter 23
32–37ElihuA younger voice
38–41The LORD speaksOut of the whirlwind
42The endJob prays and is restored

Job Longs for God

Job

Job

Then Job answered:

“Even today my complaint is bitter.

His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

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Job

Job 23:3

Job

I would plead my case before Him

and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would learn how He would answer,

and consider what He would say.

Would He contend with me in His great power?

No, He would certainly take note of me.

Then an upright man could reason with Him,

and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

Reflect

If only

Job does not walk away from God. He goes looking. When God has felt absent, what have you done with that? Write what you would say if you could “plead my case before Him.”

Job

Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Job 23:10

Job

Job

My feet have followed in His tracks;

I have kept His way without turning aside.

I have not departed from the command of His lips;

I have treasured the words of His mouth

more than my daily bread.

Question

Quick question

What does he still hold on to?

What does Job say God knows?

Job

But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him?

He does what He desires.

Job

For He carries out His decree against me,

and He has many such plans.

Job

Dusk: a great dark bank of storm cloud rolls over bare land as the last light goes, and a tiny wrapped man sits upright facing it, seen from behind, at the edge of a gray mound.

Therefore I am terrified in His presence;

when I consider this, I fear Him.

God has made my heart faint;

the Almighty has terrified me.

Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,

by the thick darkness that covers my face.

0:15

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Pray

Pray for anyone who cannot find God just now. Ask for faith that keeps talking to Him, even in the dark. Thank Him that He knows the way we have taken, on the days we cannot see Him at all.

You’ve experienced

Job 23

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A verse to carry with you

Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Job 23:10

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