Job underwent both the joy and grief intrinsic to human existence. Those who are detached from the flesh do not revel in wealth or sinful pleasures nor do they suffer from distress. He faced the temptations of this life, blessed as he was with abundance and health, yet when his fortunes shifted, he came to understand the emptiness of worldly delights. He admonishes us against yearning for such things, asking, “And why hast Thou brought me forth from the womb? Let me die, that no eye should see me, that I should be as one who has not existed...” This was his plea. Heavy tribulations beset him, and he did not experience sorrow without feeling deeply. For if he had remained unaffected, it would have held no fortitude. Through prayer infused with gratitude, Job demonstrates that he withstood all afflictions by divine strength. Paul echoes this sentiment, stating, “Not I, however, but grace with me” (1 Cor. 15:10). Job offers this prayer before departing to a realm from which he cannot return, not solely for his own sake, but to guide his friends, who misjudged those in adversity as wicked and the fortunate as righteous. He wished for their fair assessment of him. It should not be concluded that Job refuted the resurrection of the dead when he stated, “Where there is no light, and it is impossible to see the life of mortals.” As the boldest of men, he still proclaimed a coming age even in tribulation. Thus, when he mentioned, “Before I depart; from whence I shall not return,” he did not deny the resurrection, but rather referred to the somber and shadowy realm of eternal despair devoid of light and mortal existence. He called that dismal existence life first, to signify his profound affliction. It would not be appropriate for him to speak of “before I enter the kingdom of heaven and the promised land of God.” Additionally, he intended for his listeners to glean a proper understanding of events that have yet to unfold, urging them to amend their actions according to this knowledge.
THEOSIS