8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
8 "But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.
8 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him;
8 "I travel East looking for him - I find no one; then West, but not a trace;
8 "Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
8 I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 23:8
Commentary on Job 23:8-12
(Read Job 23:8-12)
Job knew that the Lord was every where present; but his mind was in such confusion, that he could get no fixed view of God's merciful presence, so as to find comfort by spreading his case before him. His views were all gloomy. God seemed to stand at a distance, and frown upon him. Yet Job expressed his assurance that he should be brought forth, tried, and approved, for he had obeyed the precepts of God. He had relished and delighted in the truths and commandments of God. Here we should notice that Job justified himself rather than God, or in opposition to him, 2. Job might feel that he was clear from the charges of his friends, but boldly to assert that, though visited by the hand of God, it was not a chastisement of sin, was his error. And he is guilty of a second, when he denies that there are dealings of Providence with men in this present life, wherein the injured find redress, and the evil are visited for their sins.