Job 17:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Release me and place me alongside you, allowing any man’s hand to contend with me (Job 17:3). For He committed no sin in thought or action; yet during His Passion, He had to endure profound sorrow. He was ‘raised’ at the Resurrection and ‘positioned alongside’ the Father upon His Ascension. Having ascended to Heaven, He is now seated at the right hand of God. Consequently, following the glory of His Ascension, Judea turns against His disciples with persecution, justifying the assertion that any man’s hand may fight against me. The fury of the persecutors unleashed their wrath upon His followers, and the flames of cruelty rose against the lives of the faithful. But what can the wicked do, or where can they be, while the One they persecuted on earth now reigns in Heaven? Furthermore, it is stated:

As Job senses the end of his life drawing near and is unable to persuade his companions to abandon their doubts, he turns to the Lord to address the situation. He asserts his innocence to his friends, correcting their misconceptions and informing them that his demise is imminent.