Job 23 · a question people ask
Job wants to come before God (23:3), then says, "I am terrified at his presence" (23:15). Why both?
The chapter gives Job's own therefore. "But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does" (23:13). "For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him" (23:14). "Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him" (23:15). "For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me" (23:16). Earlier in the chapter he says what he hopes a hearing would be: "Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me" (23:6). He has set the two side by side before: he asked God, "withdraw your hand far from me, and don’t let your terror make me afraid" (13:21), and then, "Then call, and I will answer" (13:22). Eliphaz had said to him, "Therefore snares are around you. Sudden fear troubles you" (22:10), where troubles is the verb of 23:15's terrified (tap terrified). The chapter gives no more reason than these verses, and these notes don't add one.
The verses
“Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!”
“Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.”
“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does. For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him. Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him. For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.”
“withdraw your hand far from me, and don’t let your terror make me afraid. Then call, and I will answer, or let me speak, and you answer me.”