23:2 Even to day [is] my complaint a bitter: my stroke is
heavier than my groaning.
(a) He shows the just cause of his complaining and
concerning that Eliphaz had exhorted him to return to
God, (Job 22:21) he declares that he desires
nothing more, but it seems that God would not be found
of him.
23:6 Will he b plead against me with [his] great power? No;
but he would c put [strength] in me.
(b) Using his absolute power and saying because I am God, I
may do what I will.
(c) Of his mercy he would give me power to answer him.
23:7d There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I
be delivered for ever from my judge.
(d) When he of his mercy has given strength to maintain
their cause.
23:8e Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and
backward, but I cannot perceive him:
(e) Meaning, that if he considers God's justice, he is not
able to comprehend his judgments on what side or
whatever part he turns himself.
23:10 But he knoweth the f way that I take: [when] he hath
tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
(f) God has this preeminence about me, that he knows my
way: that is, that I am not able to judge his work, he
shows also his confidence, that God uses him for his
profit.
23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips;
I have g esteemed the words of his mouth more than my
necessary [food].
(g) His word is more precious to me than the meat with
which the body is sustained.
23:13 But he [is] in one [mind], and who can h turn him? and
[what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.
(h) Job confesses that at the present he did not feel
God's favour and yet was assured that God had
appointed him to a good end.
23:14 For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me:
and i many such [things are] with him.
(i) In many points man is not able to attain to God's
judgments.
23:16 For k God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty
troubleth me:
(k) That I should not be without fear.
23:17 Because I was not cut off before the l darkness,
[neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.
(l) He shows the cause for his fear, which is, that he
being in trouble sees no end, nor yet knows the cause.
