👉 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]:
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this beautiful and evocative verse from Job 23:9. It's a really profound and poetic passage about God and our relationship with him. Hereās a simplified explanation: Essentially, the verse is saying: God is busy working, and we canāt see Him because Heās hidden away. But Heās also offering us a way to connect with Him ā through His servants and those who are close to Him. Let's unpack it a little further: āOn the left hand, where he doth workā¦ā - This refers to Godās labor and activity in the world. Heās engaged in creating, maintaining, and working things. It suggests a constant effort and purpose. āā¦but I cannot behold [him]ā¦ā ā This is the key part. āHoldā or ābeholdā means to see something clearly. Here, it means we can't see God in a direct, personal way. Itās like looking at a beautiful painting - you can appreciate its beauty, but you canāt see the artistās hand or the details of his creation. We are often focused on our own worries and struggles. āā¦he hideth himself on the right handā¦ā ā This is a very interesting image. It's not that God is completely hidden; rather, Heās offered to us a way to connect with Him. Heās choosing to remain distant, but Heās still present and accessible through His people, His servants, and those who are close to him. It suggests a deliberate choice ā not to be seen, but to be near. So, the overall message is this: God is working hard, and we can't see Him directly, but Heās offering us a way to remain connected to Him through His servants and those who are close to him. It speaks of a relationship that isn't about immediate, effortless closeness, but rather about a steady presence and ongoing connection. In short, itās a reminder that God is active and purposeful, even though we canāt always see Him. --- Does this explanation make sense? Would you like me to delve deeper into any specific aspect of the verse ā perhaps its symbolism or its meaning in the context of the whole book of Job?