Read & explore together
Job Longs for God
In this part of Job’s reply, he speaks directly about wanting to find God, present his case, and understand what God would say. The passage holds together longing, confidence, and fear in one honest speech.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
These verses are presented as Job’s answer within wisdom and dialogue. The passage focuses on Job’s own words about his complaint, his desire to find God, his search in every direction, and his reflections on God’s knowledge, power, and his own fear.
Job 23:1–17Main takeaway
Job 23:1–17 shows Job longing to speak with God while also admitting that God is hidden, powerful, and deeply unsettling to him.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Job wants to bring his case to GodJob begins by saying that even today his complaint is rebellious, and that God’s hand is heavy in spite of his groaning.
Explanation
Job begins by saying that even today his complaint is rebellious, and that God’s hand is heavy in spite of his groaning. He wishes he knew where to find God so he could come before him. He wants to lay out his case carefully, speak fully, and hear God’s answer. Job even says God would not contend with him in the greatness of his power, but would listen to him.
02God cannot be found by searching aroundJob then describes looking in every direction: east, west, north, and south. Yet he cannot find or see God.
03Job still speaks of God’s knowledge and his own faithfulnessEven though Job cannot find God, he says God knows the way he takes. Job believes that after being tried, he will come out like gold.
04God’s will stands, and Job is afraidJob recognises that God stands alone and cannot be opposed. He says God carries out what is appointed for him, and that many such things are with him.
Explanation
Job recognises that God stands alone and cannot be opposed. He says God carries out what is appointed for him, and that many such things are with him. Because of this, Job is terrified and faint-hearted. He ends by speaking of darkness and of thick darkness before his face.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Job want to do if he can find God?
02How does the search in every direction help you understand Job’s struggle?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Job 23:1–17
1Then Job answered,
2“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
3Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
4I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.
6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
7There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
8“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.
9He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.
10But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.
11My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.
12I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.
14For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.
15Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
16For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.
17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.