Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley, [1754-65], at sacred-texts.com
Job 23:2
job 23:2
To - day - Even at this time, notwithstanding all your pretended consolations. Stroke - The hand or stroke of God upon me. Groaning - Doth exceed my complaints.
Job 23:3
job 23:3
O - I desire nothing more than his acquaintance and presence; but alas, he hides his face from me. Seat - To his throne or judgment - seat to plead my cause before him.
Job 23:5
job 23:5
Know - If he should discover to me any secret sins, for which he contendeth with me, I would humble myself before him, and accept of the punishment of mine iniquity.
Job 23:6
job 23:6
No - He would not use his power against me, but for me; by enabling me to plead my cause, and giving sentence according to that clemency, which he uses towards his children.
Job 23:7
job 23:7
There - At that throne of grace, where God lays aside his majesty, and judges according to his wonted clemency. Dispute - Humbly propounding the grounds of their confidence. So - Upon such a fair and equal hearing. Delivered - From the damnatory sentence of God. This and some such expressions of Job cannot be excused from irreverence towards God, for which God afterwards reproves him, and Job abhorreth himself.
Job 23:8
job 23:8
Is not - As a judge to hear and determine my causes, otherwise he knew God was essentially present in all places.
Job 23:10
job 23:10
Gold - Which comes out of the furnace pure from all dross.
Job 23:11
job 23:11
Steps - The steps or paths which God hath appointed men to walk in.
Job 23:14
job 23:14
Performeth - Those calamities which he hath allotted to me. And - There are many such examples of God's proceeding with men.
Job 23:16
job 23:16
Soft - He hath bruised, and broken, or melted it, so that I have no spirit in me.
Job 23:17
job 23:17
Because - God did not cut me off by death. Before - These miseries came upon me. Covered - By hiding me in the grave.