Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
אַךְ־שְׁ֭תַּיִם אַל־תַּ֣עַשׂ עִמָּדִ֑י אָ֥ז מִ֝פָּנֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א אֶסָּתֵֽר׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Only two things should you refrain from doing to me, so that I may not conceal myself from Your presence. What can we interpret as ‘the face of God’ if not His redemptive discipline? For in His gaze, He also administers justice for our transgressions, prompting even the righteous to seek refuge, unless the two matters for which he intercedes are addressed.
The ambiguity of these statements can be clarified as follows. He expresses that if You treat me as my companions suggest, branding me as corrupt, I will conceal myself from Your presence. However, if, as I propose, You withdraw Your hand from me and Your dread does not disturb me, then I shall remain. Everyone who commits sin and performs actions unworthy of God distances himself from the Lord’s gaze, much like Adam did. Conversely, being concealed by God is described in the verse, “Thou shalt hide them under the covering of Thy face from the rebellions of men” (Psalm 30:21). This signifies deliverance when God conceals a righteous individual to protect him from the treachery of others.
The concept of being hidden may refer to the profound contemplation of God's face, which can be contrasted with what is made visible. The manifestations of divine providence and creation do not allow for the perception of God as hidden; rather, He is unmistakably revealed. It is stated, “For what can be known of God is manifest to them, because God has revealed Himself to them. For the invisible things of Him from the foundation of the world through the consideration of the creatures are visible” (Rom. 1:19). Thus, just as earlier noted, salvation is safeguarded by God, and it is futile to conceal oneself, as Adam did. Job does not follow this path, as he is not guilty of sin; he requests, “Remove Thy hand from me... that they may learn that I endure this not for iniquities.” His friends believed that his suffering was solely a result of his transgressions.
Job is fully aware of his situation just like his friends and is prepared to present his case before God if needed. However, he is puzzled by their unwavering confidence in the unjust beliefs they uphold (13: 1-12) and urges them to pay attention, as his boldness in subjecting himself to the most rigorous scrutiny is not without purpose. He calls upon the Lord Himself to render judgment based on their words (13-19). Then, Job turns his heart towards God, beseeching Him for clarity on why he endures such profound suffering (20-28) and questions whether humanity, with its frailty and fleeting existence, ought to face such afflictions (14: 1-6).
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS