Job has endured the judgment of his friends throughout this debate. From the very beginning, they accounted him a wicked man who was in rebellion against God. Yet, seldom has he replied directly to the friends, indirectly, yes. However, he has not singled any one of them out in an effort to personally demean or defeat their argument. Instead, he has either complained about his present calamity, perhaps in an effort to offer them a better understanding of what has happened to him, or he has directed his complaint to God, which may be interpreted to mean he was offering them a picture of the difference between their own judgment of him and the Lord’s judgment of the wicked. Even in his present state of suffering, Job has treated the friends far better than they had been treating him.
How long has Job suffered? We know from the text in Job 2:13 that he had suffered for at least seven days from the time his wife encouraged him to curse God and die (Job 2:9), but how long Job suffered before these seven days, the text isn’t clear. How long had the debate with the friends lasted? Some have concluded, that, because the text says: “Even today…” (Job 23:2) it implies the debate has gone on for more than one day.[1] Nevertheless, this is presumed or conjecture and not necessary an accurate rendering of the text. Job may be making the claim that, although the debate had gone on all day, nothing had been said by the friends that proved their point (that he was wicked) or that he had no right to complain, because, if, indeed, he was judged by God, his calamity wasn’t deserved. Job contended that the stroke of God was far more grievous than his protests had indicated (Job 23:1-2).
“Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat” (Job 23:3). Some might consider Job’s words arrogant, but this isn’t so. All he desired was what is freely given the believer through the Gospel (Hebrews 4:15-16). He longed for the opportunity denied him by the rebellion in Eden (Genesis 3:23-24), but would be restored to the believer in due time, vis-à-vis the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. While it is true that it is presumptuous for folks to desire the day of judgment (Amos 5:18), if their complaining was greater than their suffering, this wasn’t so with Job. His suffering at the hand of God was much greater than his complaint for not being treated fairly (Job 23:2).
Eliphaz had advised Job to “acquaint himself with God” or agree with him, and be reconciled to the Lord (Job 22:21). Now, Job eagerly responds saying: Oh, that I know where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat (of judgment; cp. Job 23:3), and he goes on to say: “I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments!” (Job 23:4). In other words, Job was equally certain of his acquittal Job 23:5), as the friends were of his guilt!
It seems that the friends’ understanding of God was similar to that of worldly kings or governors. There was no grace given to common folk to plead his case before them. The king was all powerful and one must agree with him, if one held out any hope of mercy. Job’s calamity proved his guilt. Therefore, he must agree with the King, if he hoped for any kindness or relief from his suffering. However, this wasn’t so with God! He longs to give the innocent what is good, but the truth of the matter is that evil persists in this world, and there is such a thing as spiritual warfare (cp. chapters 1 & 2). Faith or trust in God acts as a spiritual connector between God and the prayer warrior, and such spiritual virtues are often needed for God to pour out his blessing upon his people. It isn’t in the Lord’s interest to plead against us in his Almighty power, as do worldly kings (Job 23:6). Rather, it is in his interest to strengthen us, as we plead before his throne (Hebrews 4:15-16; cp. Genesis 1:27; 2Corinthians 3:17-18). Job believed that once the Lord judged him in righteousness, he would be cleared forever of any guilt (Job 23:7), and his judges, vis-à-vis the friends, would be ashamed.
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[1] So Jamison Fausset & Brown commentary (Job 23:2), but the John Gill commentary thinks it had gone on for months (see Gill on Job 23:2)
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