Explanation: In Job 23 Job answered Eliphaz's third accusation, stating that, if he could find God, he would find justice. In the painting above, Saint Christopher, having found the Lord, treads an evil land empowered by Christ; but Job searched in vain (at this point in the narrative) for God, finding only evil.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: . Job 22. Job 24.]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

     Job said that his complaint was bitter and heavy. And he yearned to know where he might find God. If he could he would present his case effectively; and God would strengthen him for the purpose. And he would be delivered from God, his judge (1-7). But he searches for God forward and backward and from side to side, but he cannot find him, though he sees the work which God is doing. Nevertheless, God knows his way; and, says Job, "when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." He has this confidence because he has kept God's way; and he has obeyed his commandment. Indeed, Job says, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." But, having this confidence in his obedience did Job no good, because God would not change his mind, and he had appointed him to affliction. Therefore, Job was troubled and afraid of God's presence God had made him soft and troubled him. This state of mind was upon Job for two reasons: on the one hand, God had not allowed him to die before dark circumstances came upon him; on the other hand, God had not delivered him from the darkness which was now upon him (8-17).

     ⁸ Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: ⁹ On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: ¹⁰ But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. ¹¹ My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. ¹² Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. ¹³ But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. ¹⁴ For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. ¹⁵ Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. ¹⁶ For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: ¹⁷ Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.

---

Home | DAWN Archive

Tomorrow's Picture: TBA

     ADDITIONAL AD LIB MATERIAL: Prose, Poetry, Writers, Visual Artists, Music, DAWN, and ILLUMINATION. ILLUMINATION features a compact, Illuminated Bible. DAWN, the page you are presently visiting, features a new image and explanation daily.

Please Email Comments and Questions To

AD LIB ARTS EMAIL
copyright 2014, Scott Souza