Job 14:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Furthermore, when we assert that the souls of the righteous descended to hell, we do not imply that they were held in places of torment; rather, it can be understood that there exist higher regions in hell, separated from lower precincts where the unrighteous suffer, allowing the righteous to be at peace in the upper areas. This is echoed in the Psalmist’s declaration of divine salvation: "thou hast saved my soul from the lowest parts of hell" (Psalm 85:13). Hence, the blessed Job, aware of his descent into hell before the Mediator's arrival, pleads the compassionate hand of his Creator to shield him, so that he might not experience the torment of execution; he wishes to find rest while being concealed from punishment. Therefore, he beseeches: "That thou mayest shelter me in a secret place, while thy wrath is wholly passing by." (14.) The wrath of the Almighty continually exerts its justice, consuming those who live unworthily in just retribution. Although this wrath is currently 'passing away,' ultimately it will 'wholly pass away,' as its fulfillment will be completed at the end of time. Nevertheless, the wrath directed toward the souls of the righteous 'wholly passes away' with the advent of our Redeemer, the Mediator between God and man, who frees them from the depths of hell to the delights of Paradise when He Himself descends there out of mercy. It is important to note that the term 'wrath,' as we comprehend it, does not pertain to the Divine Essence; in His wrath, there exists no chaotic disorder affecting the nature of God. Thus, it is stated, "But Thou, O Lord of power, judging with calmness, ruling with great mercy" (Prem. 12:18). However, since the souls of the righteous were once freed from hell through the Coming of the Mediator, though not from areas of punishment, Job articulates this and, in his pleading, adds: "And appoint me a time when it is necessary to remember me" (Job 14:13). (15.) When the fullness of time had arrived, God sent His Son, born of a woman, who kept the law to redeem those under the law (Gal. 4:4-5). Thus, the man of God, anticipating this redemption—through which many in the Gentile world were to be liberated—as he states, "Though these things thou wilt hide in thy heart, yet I know that thou wilt remember all things" (Job 10:13), prays for a moment to be remembered and to be appointed with the Almighty. This brings to mind the words of the Lord in the Gospel: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things unto myself" (Jn. 12:32), referring to ‘all the elect.’ When the Lord emerged from hell, He did not draw both the chosen and the rejected, but brought forth only those created to be united with Him. Thus, He also speaks through the prophet Hosea: "I will be thy Death, O Death; I will be a sting, O hell" (Hos. 13:14). Presently, we are condemned to death, and when we take a bite of something, we consume a portion while leaving some behind. In this way, while the Lord entirely conquers death in His people, the Elect, He rightly claims the title ‘Death of Death.’ However, as He only removed a part from hell and left the remainder, He did not annihilate it entirely; rather, like ‘biting off,’ He acts as the sting of hell. Therefore, He also asserts, "I will be thy Death, Death," meaning that for my elect, "I will utterly destroy thee, Death." And "I will be thy sting, O hell," indicating that "I will pierce thee in part, taking only the elect." Hence, let blessed Job, foreseeing our Redeemer’s descent into hell, pray for what he envisioned in the future, saying, "And appoint me a time when it is necessary to remember me."

From the examination of all prior dialogues, it is evident that Job, acknowledging the sinful nature of humanity and the influence of Divine Providence on human joy and sorrow, draws from his own experiences to affirm that a person's circumstances cannot always be justified by their moral conduct. Instead, such circumstances may rely on hidden decrees of God. This recognition compels him not only to seek relief from his afflictions but also to inquire of God regarding their origin. Meanwhile, Job’s companions, who share the belief in man's sinfulness, limit their understanding to the direct correlation between earthly well-being and virtue. They perceive every calamity as a form of divine punishment for sin, and in the absence of evident transgressions, they are quick to suspect Job of concealed wrongdoing.