TREASURING GOD’S WORDS

Job 23:1-17 / Keywords 23:12

I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

 

Job

23:1 Then Job replied:

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter;

    his hand[a] is heavy in spite of[b] my groaning.

3 If only I knew where to find him;

    if only I could go to his dwelling!

4 I would state my case before him

    and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would find out what he would answer me,

    and consider what he would say to me.

6 Would he vigorously oppose me?

    No, he would not press charges against me.

7 There the upright can establish their innocence before him,

    and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.

8 “But if I go to the east, he is not there;

    if I go to the west, I do not find him.

9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;

    when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.

10 But he knows the way that I take;

    when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

11 My feet have closely followed his steps;

    I have kept to his way without turning aside.

12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips;

    I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

13 “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?

    He does whatever he pleases.

14 He carries out his decree against me,

    and many such plans he still has in store.

15 That is why I am terrified before him;

    when I think of all this, I fear him.

16 God has made my heart faint;

    the Almighty has terrified me.

17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,

    by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Footnotes

a. Job 23:2 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew / the hand on me

b. Job 23:2 Or heavy on me in

 

1. Job responded to Eliphaz by pouring out his heart. Though his complaint was bitter, Job sought God. Job longed to meet God, to plead his case. Job wanted to know the mind of God. Job trusted that God would not condemn him. He saw God as both deliverer and judge.

 

2. Job sought God, but God was not to be found—not even a glimpse. Still, Job depended on God who knew him. He followed God’s steps and kept his commands. Job treasured the word of God above all else. This is how he entrusted himself to God.

 

3. Job confessed it is God who is ruling all things. So, Job knew that whatever distress he encountered, it was a part of God’s plan. God was carrying out his will. God is the one who made Job’s heart faint. In his misery, Job entrusted himself again to God.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to love your word and cling to it in troublesome times. Help me to seek you and trust you always.

One Word Do not depart from God’s commands