1 THEN Job answered and said,
2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.

1Then Iob answered, and said,

2Euen to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heauier then my groning.

3O that I knewe where I might find him! that I might come euen to his seate!

4I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5I would know the words which he would answere me, and vnderstand what he would say vnto me.

6Will he plead against me with his great power? No, but hee would put strength in me.

7There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be deliuered for euer from my Iudge.

8Behold, I goe forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceiue him:

9On the left hand where hee doeth worke, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himselfe on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11My foot hath held his steps, his way haue I kept, and not declined.

12Neither haue I gone backe from the commaundement of his lippes, I haue esteemed the words of his mouth more then my necessary food.

13But hee is in one minde, and who can turne him? and what his soule desireth, euen that he doeth.

14For he performeth the thing that is appointed for mee: and many such things are with him.

15Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

16For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

17Because I was not cut off before the darknes, neither hath he couered the darknes from my face.

III == Job 13:3 ; 16:21

 

 

 

 

 

 

VI == Isa 27:4 , 8 ; 57:16

 

 

 

VIII == Job 9:11

 

 

 

X == Ps 17:3 ; 66:10 ; 139:1-3 ; James 1:12

XI -- Ps 44:18

XII == John 4:32 , 34

 

XIII == Job 12:12-14 ; Ps 115:3 ; Rom 9:19

XIV == 1st Thess 3:3

 

 

XVI == Ps 22:14

1 Again Job answered and said:

2 Though I know my complaint is bitter, his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings.

3 Oh, that today I might find him, that I might come to his judgment seat!

4 I would set out my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;

5 I would learn the words with which he would answer, and understand what he would reply to me.

6 Even should he contend against me with his great power, yet, would that he himself might heed me!

7 There the upright man might reason with him, and I should once and for all preserve my rights.

8 But if I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, I cannot perceive him;

9 Where the north enfolds him, I behold him not; by the south he is veiled, and I see him not.

10 Yet he knows my way; if he proved me, I should come forth as gold.

11 My foot has always walked in his steps; his way I have kept and have not turned aside.

12 From the commands of his lips I have not departed; the words of his mouth I have treasured in my heart.

13 But he had decided, and who can say him nay? What he desires, that he does.

14 For he will carry out what is appointed for me; and many such things may yet be in his mind.

15 Therefore am I dismayed before him; when I take thought, I fear him.

16 Indeed God has made my courage fail; the Almighty has put me in dismay.

17 Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness, and that thick gloom were before me to conceal me.

v 1-7. The accusations left Job in bitterness, as he was trying to turn to God as they said. If God could be found, Job would present his case and could be acquitted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

v 8,9. Job had searched everywhere for God, but could not find Him. Some translate “left hand” as north, God’s dwelling place, Ps. 48:2; Isa. 14:13.

 

v 10-12. Laying aside bitterness, though Job could not find God, he was aware that God knew him, and he would eventually be completely vindicated. God’s word was more important to him than the necessities of life. This is a high point in Job’s faith, and should be a rallying statement of our own, especially verse 10 and 12 b.

 

v 13,14. Though Job had desired to challenge God, he realizes God is going to do what He plans to do with him anyway.

 

 

v 15-17. Job is not in terror of his sin, but of the awesomeness of God. God has filled him with fear, but instead of cutting him off in death, He covers him in darkness.