Job 12:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Job expresses himself in an unexpected manner. Rather than simply stating, "Then you would not be men," he poses an inquiry. What is he asking? “Truly, are you merely human, and will wisdom perish with you?” This implies, “Does the dignity of a rational being not suffer within you? Are you aware of God’s judgments regarding the wicked and the just?” Indeed, understanding this is essential for humanity. Realize that God tests the upright while being patient with the wicked. Consequently, the latter flourish while the former endure trials, for God’s patience towards sinners may lead them to repentance, whereas the prolonged struggles of the righteous serve as a path to their eventual triumph. If you understood this, you would not condemn the righteous who endure suffering, nor would you mistake the prosperous sinner for a just individual.

Job is troubled by his friends' belief that they alone possess wisdom and their inability to accept his perspective that virtue does not always lead to happiness in life (12:1-5). He calls their attention to the reality that the lives of all beings and the destinies of humanity are under God's authority (6-11). Furthermore, he points out that the elders, whose insights the friends rely on to support their views, have created a song that highlights God's providential role in shaping the destinies of all individuals, including the strong, the noble, and the wise (12-25).