The adversary of humanity, in his most malevolent form, aware that this man’s life warranted God’s praise, nonetheless sought evidence to the contrary. When he failed to topple Job through his initial assaults, he caused him immense suffering by stripping him of his possessions and even turning his wife against him, attempting to break him through domestic strife, yet he could not prevail against him with these afflictions. However, while he had seduced the first man Adam through a woman, he could not do the same to this second man, who sat amidst ashes. Instead, he employed a different tactic, introducing friends under the guise of offering comfort, aiming to muddle Job's spirit amidst his trials, attempting to achieve his evil ends through bitter words amidst calamity, even when the very calamities had failed to conquer Job. The enemy, skillfully constructing these temptations, ultimately misjudged himself; in attempting to harm the holy man through turmoil and devastation, he inadvertently provided him, as is often the case, with the means to triumph. For in the face of torment, Job exhibited unwavering patience, and against the words of folly, he responded with wisdom, enduring the blows with steadfastness and silencing the unwise counsel with sound judgment. Thus, through his suffering and wise responses, Job reflects the image of the Holy Church, while his friends—as previously noted—present a duality, speaking truthfully at times yet foolishly at others, serving as a representation of heretics. Though they were friends of the blessed man, they correctly articulated opposition to the wicked, but like heretics, they frequently crossed boundaries in their speech, piercing the heart of the holy man with their words and ultimately exhausting themselves in their futile struggle against his resolute spirit. It is, therefore, our critical task to discern and accurately identify the righteousness in their proclamations against the ungodly, as opposed to the foolishness found in their remarks directed at blessed Job.
Verses 1, 2. Then Bildad the Shuhite responded and said, "To what extent will you continue this discourse? First, grasp understanding, and then we may converse." Job 18:1-2.
ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATION All heretics perceive a sense of arrogance in the Holy Church regarding some matters, while in other respects, they believe she lacks comprehension altogether. Thus, Bildad the Shuhite, in a manner, claims that blessed Job is filled with pride when he suggests that Job does not recognize “the boundary of words.” This assertion highlights the very pride that overwhelms Bildad himself, for he presumes blessed Job speaks of things beyond his understanding. Moreover, since all heretics assert their disdain for the view that the Holy Church holds of them, this sentiment deepens the situation.
THEOSIS