Doth it seem good to thee that thou shouldst calumniate me, and oppress me, the work of thy own hands, and help the counsel of the wicked?
הֲט֤וֹב לְךָ֨ ׀ כִּֽי־תַעֲשֹׁ֗ק כִּֽי־תִ֭מְאַס יְגִ֣יעַ כַּפֶּ֑יךָ וְעַל־עֲצַ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים הוֹפָֽעְתָּ׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Notice that he seeks judgment not due to his righteousness, but because "it is the very suffering that impels me to it - I fear lest it should hurt - some may think either that Thou art not thoughtful of the men Thou hast created, or that the wicked are specially favored by Thee, and their desires are especially pleasing to Thee."
The thoughts of a righteous person are often filled with fear in their quest for profound assurance, and when faced with adversity, they may become unsettled by doubts regarding the judgment of the Almighty. They worry that the suffering they endure could signify the onset of a future reckoning. In their mind, they challenge their Divine Judge, as the trials they face lead them to question the value of their existence. Yet, when the essence of a virtuous life is recalled, it appears as though the comfort from the Judge is bestowed upon them, for He does not inflict suffering upon those He seeks to preserve in the integrity of their deeds.
Indeed, it is aptly expressed, “Show me why you judge me so.” This implies a plea for understanding, as if asking, “Since you chastise me with afflictions, demonstrate how these trials distance me from judgment.” The same idea can be framed as a question, which must elicit a negation. It is akin to declaring, “You, Who are the ultimate Good, do not wish to unjustly oppress a humble soul. I recognize it may not be inherently wrong to endure such trials, yet I experience greater anguish from my ignorance of the reasons behind this justice.”
Job grapples with the fact that the Lord, who is all-powerful and all-knowing, not only fashioned humanity but also diligently sustains our existence and upholds our righteousness. He struggles to comprehend why such a mighty Creator would rigorously afflict His creation for seemingly trivial transgressions, subjecting him to great anguish (Job 10: 1-12). In his deep confusion over the reasons for his unjust suffering and his inability to provide a defense before God, Job ultimately finds himself preferring death over life, pleading for relief from the pain that marks his remaining days on this earth (Job 10: 13-22).
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS