231 Then Job answered and said, 2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke [1] is heavier than my groaning. 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! 4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. 6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. 7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
231 Then Job replied: 2 "Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand
231 Then Job answered and said: 2 "Today also my complaint is bitter;
231 Job replied: 2 "I'm not letting up - I'm standing my ground. My complaint is legitimate. God has no right to treat me like this - it isn't fair! 3 If I knew where on earth to find him, I'd go straight to him. 4 I'd lay my case before him face-to-face, give him all my arguments firsthand 5 I'd find out exactly what he's thinking, discover what's going on in his head. 6 Do you think he'd dismiss me or bully me? No, he'd take me seriously. 7 He'd see a straight-living man standing before him; my Judge would acquit me for good of all charges.
231 Then Job answered and said: 2 "Even today my complaint is bitter; My hand is listless because of my groaning. 3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat! 4 I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments 5 I would know the words which He would answer me, And understand what He would say to me. 6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of me. 7 There the upright could reason with Him, And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.
231 Then Job spoke again: 2 "My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. 3 If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. 4 I would lay out my case and present my arguments. 5 Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. 6 Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing. 7 Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 23:1-7
Commentary on Job 23:1-7
(Read Job 23:1-7)
Job appeals from his friends to the just judgement of God. He wants to have his cause tried quickly. Blessed be God, we may know where to find him. He is in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself; and upon a mercy-seat, waiting to be gracious. Thither the sinner may go; and there the believer may order his cause before Him, with arguments taken from his promises, his covenant, and his glory. A patient waiting for death and judgment is our wisdom and duty, and it cannot be without a holy fear and trembling. A passionate wishing for death or judgement is our sin and folly, and ill becomes us, as it did Job.