Job 11:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

While the physical life diminishes moment by moment, the cravings of the flesh only grow. The possessions they accumulate are fleeting, yet their relentless desire for more never wanes; ultimately, it is their own desires that extinguish their lives when death arrives. The punishment from the Most High meets them due to their reckless pursuit of earthly joys. The Psalmist observed their eyes closed to former delights, stating, In that day all their thoughts perish, as expressed in Psalms 145:4. They are suddenly confronted with eternal anguish, which they never anticipated, and they swiftly lose the temporal gains they worked so hard to acquire. Their 'refuges shall perish with them' because their wickedness provides no safe haven from the judgment of the Almighty. Presently, when the wicked experience minor setbacks, they escape into the fulfillment of worldly desires. Should poverty strike, they seek solace in riches. If scorn from others weighs them down, they elevate their spirits with self-congratulation. When their physical needs are met, they indulge in a variety of pleasures. If sorrow casts a shadow over their minds, they quickly distract themselves with amusements. Thus, they possess numerous places of refuge, each as fleeting as the joys they pursue, but one day their refuge will be gone, for when their soul departs, they will only behold themselves and their Judge. In that moment, pleasure dissipates, but the burden of guilt from indulgence remains; the wretched will recognize their downfall and realize that it was the transitory pleasures they held that led to their ruin. Throughout their lives, they will invariably seek out that which harms their true nature. For this reason, it is added, And their hope shall be the abomination of the soul, as noted in Job 11:20. What, then, does the hope of the sinner consist of, other than a desire to surpass others in prowess, to amass greater resources than their peers, to dominate their rivals, and to be admired by those who follow them? Their hope lies in asserting their strength, while maintaining an image of generosity, despite being driven by insatiable desires. Therefore, it is fitting that this hope be termed an 'abomination of the soul,' for what carnal men crave, spiritual individuals abhor as contrary to righteousness. What the sinner regards as joy is viewed as sorrow by the righteous. Therefore, the wicked's hope is an abomination to the soul, as it consumes the spirit even while the body seeks comfort. Just as the flesh is invigorated by indulgence, the soul is nurtured through hardship; pleasures fortify the former while tribulations strengthen the latter. Hardships may wound the flesh, while indulgence can suffocate the spirit; as burdens press down on one, delights can obliterate the other. Thus, the hope of those driven by carnal desires becomes the very abomination of the soul; the spirit ultimately perishes while the flesh enjoys temporary fulfillment.

Now Sophar could have accurately conveyed all this had the blessed Job not offered a more profound perspective by living in accordance with it. Yet when Sophar attempts to guide Job, who is holier and wiser, his own words lose weight, as they emerge from a place of immodesty, diluting knowledge like water poured into a full vessel. When knowledge is in the hands of the unworthy, it ends in folly, much like material wealth in the possession of fools. Some who are enriched by worldly goods may overly expend themselves, attempting to demonstrate their wealth is superior to that of others. The wicked, having embraced some truths, speak beyond their understanding, not to enlighten but to flaunt their knowledge as an indication of superiority. They believe themselves wiser than all and think they have the capacity to speak to anyone on any matter. This leads impious individuals and heretics to presume to instruct their brethren, viewing them as inferior. However, the Holy Church admonishes those of haughty spirit regarding their inflated sense of self-worth and calls them to embrace humility. Blessed Job, a member of this Holy Church, recognizing his friend's mind inflated with misguided instruction, responded with wisdom, saying: