Job 19:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Conversely, if he did err, it appears the adversary succeeded in his intent. Therefore, we must affirm both that God acted justly towards blessed Job, and also that blessed Job did not misrepresent the truth when he said he suffered unjustly. Our ancient foe, in regard to the sin he purported was committed by the blessed man, spoke falsely. The words of the righteous can sometimes be misconstrued if not understood in their true sense. Thus, blessed Job reflected on his own life, and upon evaluating his experiences, he concluded it was not just for someone leading such a life to face such severe punishment. His assertion that he had not faced a just judgement came from a humble heart, echoing what God had secretly communicated with His adversary: "Thou hast stirred me up against him to temper him without cause." Job 2:3. The sentiment God conveys about blessed Job’s ordeal being without cause, is mirrored in Job’s own claim that he suffered not according to a just judgement. Where, then, could he have sinned in affirming the judgement of his Creator?

Some may argue that to commend ourselves by what the Judge has privately declared requires sin. However, he whom the Judge praises is indeed worthy of praise; if he commends himself, his righteousness is diminished. This is rightly stated because what a just Judge pronounces measures up in impartial judgement, whereas a person risk overspeaking from pride. If a humble person finds himself compelled by circumstances to affirm a true and praiseworthy quality about himself, he does not stray from righteousness, since he remains aligned with the truth.

For instance, the Apostle Paul expressed many commendable truths about himself for the sake of building up his followers without sinning, as he communicated undeniable realities with a humble spirit, remaining steadfast in truth. Likewise, let blessed Job, confident in his righteous life, maintain that he suffered not a just judgement; he did not sin, as his words align with the truth of his Maker, as evidenced by God calling him ‘smitten without cause.’ Another question may arise, one pondered earlier in this work: if God Almighty acts without cause, why does He declare that blessed Job is smitten without cause? This declaration serves to illustrate that the Creator, through the many trials endured by blessed Job, does not aim to eradicate any evil within him but rather to augment his virtues. Thus, it is just that rewards are increased, but it may seem unjust when viewed as punishment for sins. In this context, blessed Job sees these trials as purging his sins rather than augmenting his merits, thus describing them as ‘not according to just judgement.’

He thoughtfully compares his life to the hardships he has faced, finding them disproportionately severe, believing them to be retribution for his righteousness; yet, should the mercy of the Judge perceive these trials as a means to enhance Job's merits, it could be viewed as a just, or even a merciful, judgement. Job spoke truthfully, as he weighed his life against his afflictions; yet God does not burden Job with an unjust sentence, for through these trials, He elevates Job's merits, and the adversary fails in his intention, as blessed Job, even with seemingly harsh words, remained unwavering in truth and humility.

Perhaps if we do not grasp the Judge’s determinations, we may misinterpret blessed Job’s statements. The Judge, in rendering his verdict regarding Job’s friends, said, "You have not spoken so faithfully of me as my servant Job." Job 42:7. Thus, who would be so unwise as to claim that blessed Job erred in his manner of speaking, when it is confirmed that he spoke truthfully by the very pronouncement of the Judge? Only someone who might rightly be categorized among the frail members of the Holy Church, who, in difficult times, weighs her merits against her sufferings, believing her prosperity is unjust and her sufferings just, lacking understanding of true justice. It is fitting to recognize, as Job said, "And surrounded me with scourges." Job 19:6.

To be ‘smitten’ is one matter; to be ‘surrounded’ by scourges is another. We experience scourges when, amid our struggles, we find comfort from other sources. But when tribulations close in on us so completely that we can find no breath of relief, we are not merely ‘smitten’ but ‘surrounded’ by trials on all sides. This was true for Paul, who remarked, “Outside were attacks, within were fears." 2 Cor. 7:5. He conveyed being beset by troubles when he claimed, “In dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness.” 2 Cor. 11:26, emphasizing that he found no respite anywhere. Similarly, when the Holy Church is ‘surrounded with scourges,’ all that is weak within her crumbles as they feel neglected, perceiving a delay in being heard. Thus, this observation regarding their plight is rightly articulated by the voice of a holy man.