Job 23:12 (ESV) – I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

God’s Word is a gift to us. To know what God thinks and desires is not something we are left to guess about. We know. He has told us. However, for most of human history, people have not possessed the full revelation of Scripture in language they understand. It wasn’t until the 1500’s that Christians had full copies of the Bible in their language. Many of God’s people had portions of Scripture. Others had Scripture memorized. But having God’s Word is a gift to be treasured. 

That’s the focus of our passage today. We read in Job 23:13, “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” This passage contains the words of a man in deep trials and pain. Yet it is God’s Word that supplies his strength and help.

Notice that Job says he hasn’t departed from the commandments of God’s lips. He hasn’t turned his back on God’s requirements. But Job goes beyond simply obedience to Scripture. He says that he has treasured the words of God’s mouth more than his portion of food. To treasure the Word means he loves it. He hungers for the truth. He longs for God’s promises. The Scriptures are his life. 

Is this your experience with God’s Word? Do you love it? Do you approach the Word gladly, eager to hear God’s voice in it? This is what Job means by loving and treasuring the Word more than food. Imagine your stomach growling for food. Hunger pangs are the body’s way of trying to get us to feed it. It is a longing. Job compares his longing for the Word as surpassing his longing for food. He wants it that bad. 

May God increase our love for His Word. May He give us new desire to read and learn the Word. His Word gives life. It speaks truth. It provides direction.
It is more precious than silver or gold. 

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Reflection & Journal:
- Why is God’s Word so important to Job and his circumstances?
- What can Christians do to cultivate a greater hunger for God’s Word?
- How do you currently approach reading Scripture each day? Make time before reading to ask God to give you a love for Scripture.

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