Job, Chapter 23
Here seems to be a struggle throughout this chapter between nature and grace, Job complains of his condition, yet with an assurance of God's clemency, ver. 1 - 7. He cannot understand God's dealings, nor hope for relief, yet holds fast his integrity, ver. 8 - 14. He is in deep trouble, ver. 15 - 17

2: To - day - Even at this time, notwithstanding all your pretended consolations. Stroke - The hand or stroke of God upon me. Groaning - Doth exceed my complaints.

3: O - I desire nothing more than his acquaintance and presence; but alas, he hides his face from me. Seat - To his throne or judgment - seat to plead my cause before him.

5: Know - If he should discover to me any secret sins, for which he contendeth with me, I would humble myself before him, and accept of the punishment of mine iniquity.

6: No - He would not use his power against me, but for me; by enabling me to plead my cause, and giving sentence according to that clemency, which he uses towards his children.

7: There - At that throne of grace, where God lays aside his majesty, and judges according to his wonted clemency. Dispute - Humbly propounding the grounds of their confidence. So - Upon such a fair and equal hearing. Delivered - From the damnatory sentence of God. This and some such expressions of Job cannot be excused from irreverence towards God, for which God afterwards reproves him, and Job abhorreth himself.

8: Is not - As a judge to hear and determine my causes, otherwise he knew God was essentially present in all places.

10: Gold - Which comes out of the furnace pure from all dross.

11: Steps - The steps or paths which God hath appointed men to walk in.

14: Performeth - Those calamities which he hath allotted to me. And - There are many such examples of God's proceeding with men.

16: Soft - He hath bruised, and broken, or melted it, so that I have no spirit in me.

17: Because - God did not cut me off by death. Before - These miseries came upon me. Covered - By hiding me in the grave.


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