Job 22:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Conversely, ‘pledge’ can also refer to a confession of sin, as seen in the Law: "If your brother owes you something and you take an obligation from him, you must return the pledge before sunset" (Ex. 22:25-26). In this case, a brother is in debt when he wrongs us, as we equate sins with ‘debts’. Thus, when the servant sinned, it was said to him, "I forgave you all your debt" (Matthew 18:32), and in the Lord's Prayer, we daily pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). We take a pledge ‘from our debtor’ when we receive a confession of his sin from him, which then prompts us to seek forgiveness for the wrong done to us. In confessing his sin and requesting pardon, he metaphorically offers a ‘pledge’ for his debt, which we are commanded to ‘return before the sun sets,’ as the Light of Truth must dwell within us through heartfelt pain, allowing us to affirm the forgiveness of the one who has confessed to us. This resolution allows the offender to realize their wrongdoing has been forgiven. Thus, in the Holy Church, when she welcomes back those heretics who return to the truth of faith, she first encourages them to confess their errors, as Eliphaz observed: "You have taken pledges from your brethren for nothing," implying that you demand confession of error from those who approach you without justification. However, if we consider ‘pledges’ to be the gifts of the Holy Spirit, heretics argue that the Holy Church has ‘taken away the pledges from the brethren’ because they perceive that those who return to her lose the Spirit's gifts. This is further elaborated by saying: "and from the naked their garments." 7. Heretics anticipate that those they lure with distorted preaching will adopt their doctrines as a sort of covering. They believe that these individuals are clothed as long as they adhere to their teachings, and when someone returns to the Holy Church from them, they hastily conclude that those who return have lost their scholarly garments. However, the designation of individuals as 'naked' raises the question of why they are first described as such and then noted as having had their 'garments removed.' It is essential to recognize that anyone with a pure heart, by virtue of not donning the cloak of deceit, is ‘naked.’ While some heretics may possess purity of heart, they nevertheless embrace the corrupt tenets of their teachings. Consequently, they are simultaneously ‘naked’ due to their purity yet ‘clothed’ in the false doctrines they promote. Those who easily return to the Holy Church are not accustomed to the traps of hypocrisy, but heretics regard those who seem to cast off their doctrinal garments as lacking wisdom, viewing simple-minded individuals as foolish for relinquishing false ideas. 8. The text continues, "You have not served water to the weary; you have refused bread to the hungry." Heretics, who hold less to the substantial truth, become increasingly absorbed in the pretense of reasoning against authentic faith, attempting to draw others towards themselves through false logic. They wrongly believe that their actions, leading both themselves and others towards destruction, somehow foster life. In this context, we refer to ‘weary’ individuals as those burdened by the exhausting trials of life. Thus, the Truth Himself invites, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will comfort you" (Matthew 11:28). While heretics perpetually propagate their doctrines, they ridicule the Holy Church, accusing her of ignorance: “You do not provide water to the weary; you refuse bread to the hungry.” They mistakenly believe they offer ‘water’ to the weary by presenting the cup of their error to those weighed down by worldly burdens. They assert that they do not ‘refuse bread to the hungry’ because when questioned about secrets and invisible matters, they respond with arrogance, attempting to surpass others in knowledge. Conversely, the Holy Church exercises discernment; when she encounters someone seeking what is detrimental for them, she withholds such knowledge or shares it in humility if it is not yet known. She advises all her preachers to refrain from arrogance and to think modestly (Rom. 12:3). She reminds them, "Be not proud, but fear" (Rom. 11:20) and "Seek not the things that are too deep for thee; nor seek the things that are above thy strength" (Sir. 3:21). Further, "Hast thou found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled with it and vomit it out" (Proverbs 25:16). Here, ‘finding honey’ symbolizes the enjoyment of sacred knowledge; moderation leads to a deepening understanding, while overindulgence results in the loss of even the knowledge already gained. Acknowledging that the Holy Church forbids the unsteady from plunging into profound truths, it was said to blessed Job: "And you have refused bread to the hungry." 9. Heretics, envious of the Church's greatness in maintaining many in the true faith, rise against her with pride when they witness her earthly success, openly criticizing her even as they have secretly resented her strength. Thus, it follows: "Into your strong hand you have taken possession of the land, and as the strongest, you have held it," suggesting that in taking possession, you relied on the might of force rather than the wisdom of truth. Observing Christian leaders supporting her teachings, they view the multitude drawn to her not as a reflection of righteousness but as evidence of the strength of secular power.

Consequently, Job is urged to approach God with humility and contrition; in doing so, the Lord will graciously restore His favor upon him and grant him joy. These passages hint at the imagery of the flood and the devastation of Sodom.