Job 23:13

Job is aware of his distance from God, and while aware of it, longs to be brought near. It is the true exercise of a living soul — groping, as it were, in the dark for what it yearns after. Along with this there is a sense of the unchangeableness of God's purpose. "He is in one mind, and who can turn him?" And yet the true fear, the solemn effect of His presence, is not unknown. He says, "I am troubled at his presence; when I consider, I am afraid of him."

"But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desires, even that he does." Job granted God's entire supremacy; he admitted His sovereignty in the fullest degree... He was troubled that there was something between God and him — something God had a question about. What it was, he did not yet understand.

"But He is unique, and who can make Him change?" (v.13). God is unique. But Job thought His uniqueness was only His awe-inspiring majesty, and he did not understand God's unique love and grace. Job says that God does whatever His soul desires, but he thought God's desires had no reference to the actual need of His creatures. How totally wrong this idea was! It is true that God does whatever is appointed for people (v.14). But what He appoints is not meant to fill a believer's heart with terror, as it did with Job.

It is all true, and yet the obvious self-righteousness in it spoils the nobility of the words... It is his own uprightness that he is defending — not the sense of grace; he thinks it comes from his own heart.

Job adds that God is determined to punish him, and that nothing can move Him from this purpose! It is good for Job and for us that we have One with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. He has said, "I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." Job thought the thing appointed for him was only the misery and suffering he was going through. In fact it was the trial that had to come, in order to work patience. Job did not see the appointed "purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." That is the purpose of a love too great to be moved from His purposes of blessing by our complaint and unbelief.

The purpose is an "eternal purpose," from eternity, embracing an eternity to come. God does not shape His thoughts as circumstances arise. His thoughts and plans control the circumstances... In another sense than Job meant, "He is of one mind, and who can change Him?" Redemption was not an impulse with Him — impulse comes from outside. It was the fruit of a purpose that was His before the world was.

Yes, He knows everything before we ask. Yes, we may be tempted to say with Job, "He is of one mind, and who can turn Him?" Even so, let us not listen to arguments that shut us out from the comfort of knowing we have a living God for our need — One who hears and answers prayer. Ask as if He would yield to sheer persistence. Cling to Him as Jacob clung, and say, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."