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Job 23
Job ignores Eliphaz's accusations and turns longing into law. He wishes he could find God's seat, set his case in order, and fill his mouth with arguments, confident that there an upright man could reason and be acquitted. His ache is not for relief but for a hearing. Then the search collapses: east, west, north, south, God cannot be found. Notice how Job holds two truths together, that God hides from him yet already knows his way, and that the same testing will bring him out 'like gold.'
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Then Job answered,
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“Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
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Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
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I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
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I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.
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Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
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There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
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“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him.
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He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.
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But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.
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My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.
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I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
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But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.
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For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.
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Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him.
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For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.
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Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
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Então Jó respondeu:
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“Ainda hoje a minha queixa é rebelde. A mão dele é pesada, apesar do meu gemido.
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Ah, se eu soubesse onde poderia encontrá-lo! Para que eu pudesse chegar até o seu trono!
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Eu ordenaria a minha causa diante dele, e encheria a minha boca de argumentos.
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Eu saberia as palavras com que ele me responderia, e entenderia o que ele me diria.
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Será que ele contenderia comigo na grandeza do seu poder? Não, mas ele me ouviria.
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Ali o justo poderia argumentar com ele, e assim eu seria liberto para sempre do meu juiz.
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“Se eu for para o leste, ele não está lá. Se eu for para o oeste, não consigo encontrá-lo.
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Ele trabalha ao norte, mas não consigo vê-lo. Ele se volta para o sul, mas não consigo vislumbrá-lo.
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Mas ele conhece o caminho que eu tomo. Quando ele me provar, sairei como o ouro.
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Meu pé se apegou firmemente aos seus passos. Guardei o seu caminho, e não me desviei.
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Não recuei do mandamento dos seus lábios. Guardei as palavras da sua boca mais do que o meu alimento necessário.
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Mas ele é único, e quem pode se opor a ele? O que a sua alma deseja, isso ele faz.
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Pois ele realiza o que está determinado para mim. E muitas coisas semelhantes estão com ele.
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Por isso estou aterrorizado diante da sua presença. Quando penso nisso, tenho medo dele.
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Pois Deus fez o meu coração desfalecer. O Todo-Poderoso me aterrorizou.
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Porque eu não fui destruído antes das trevas, nem ele encobriu a densa escuridão do meu rosto.
Tested and terrified at once
Job's confidence and his dread sit side by side without resolving. He has kept God's way, treasured the words of his mouth more than necessary food, and trusts the assay will vindicate him. Yet the God who tests is also the God who 'stands alone' and does whatever his soul desires.
That sovereignty, which the friends wield as a threat, leaves Job faint of heart and afraid before the divine presence. He wants the courtroom; what he feels is the dark he was not cut off before reaching.
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