Job 24:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart, you are gathering wrath to yourself for the day of wrath and the revelation of righteous judgment from God" (Rom. 2:4-5). Similarly, Isaiah warns that "For the child shall die a hundred years old, but the centenarian sinner shall be cursed" (Isaiah 65:20). This serves as a stark admonition that a long life is meant for a child to have the chance for reform. If, however, that individual remains unrestrained by the duration of their life, the life granted to them as a blessing may ultimately exacerbate their condemnation.

Thus, it follows that the more time we witness being granted, the more we should be wary that this time of mercy bestowed may serve as a basis for judgment. For neglecting the mercy of the Judge, the punishment of the sinner must be intensified; and the very reasons that could have led to salvation may instead culminate in an even greater demise. This often occurs because the focus of the mind remains fixed on worldly matters. Sinners disregard the path of the Savior, continuing in their ways without pause. Hence, it is said, "And his eyes are in his ways" (Job 24:23).

The sinner is "in his ways" as he directs his attention solely toward those matters that serve his temporal interests. As Paul notes, "all seek their own things, and not those things which please Jesus Christ" (Phil. 2:21). The path of pride leads to arrogance; the way of the thief is marked by greed; the path of the immoral is characterized by lust. Each evildoer fixates on his own ways, choosing to pursue evil alone to satisfy his desires. Thus, Solomon stated, "The eyes of a foolish man are at the ends of the earth" (Proverbs 17:24), as they contemplate every inclination of the heart to fulfill their earthly ambitions. The sinner would never avert his gaze from worldly concerns if he uplifted the eyes of his heart towards the sanctified paths of his Redeemer. As Solomon again noted, "The wise man's eyes are in his head" (Ecclesiastes 2:14), indicating that the wise person remains steadfast with a focused gaze on Him to whom they belong, reflecting their faith.

These paths of human thought and action are deemed worthy of attention by one who declares, "I will meditate on Thy statutes, and gaze on Thy ways" (Psalms 118:15). It signifies a determination to turn away from worldly views in order to follow God's ways and conduct. By opposing worldly values, one ignites a love that places the Redeemer’s paths before the eyes of the heart, leading the mind to eschew material gain, remain vigilant against adversity, avoid desires that lead to downfall, see sorrow as joy, and regard the pleasures of this life as mere troubles. They should not fear being looked down upon by others, but instead, pursue everlasting glory.

Such are the ways revealed by Truth to the eyes of those who choose to follow Him, as He proclaimed, "If any man serve Me, let him follow Me" (John 12:26). He beckoned the ambitious disciples as they sought places of honor, oblivious to the true nature of that glory when He asked, "Are ye able to drink of the cup from which I will drink?" (Matthew 20:22). Their quest for lofty doctrine on His right and left clouded their understanding of the narrowness of the true path, leading them to mistakenly identify the cup of suffering as something to emulate. If they desired true joy, they first had to embrace the way of humility. Therefore, it is rightly stated, "And his eyes are on his ways," reflecting the sinner's focus on those paths that yield only worldly pleasure.

Consequently, when he rises, his life is uncertain (Job 24:22 LXX). The wicked, who rise each day, remain unsure of their continued existence, filled with dread and trepidation. As the wise Solomon explains, fear is essentially the absence of support that reason provides (Prem. 17:11). In times of illness, he should not expect recovery but rather succumb to his affliction (Job 24:23 LXX). Physical suffering is a result of sin. The phrase "he should not hope" signifies that he is tormented by his conscience, having abandoned all expectation of relief. To "fall by affliction" indicates that he will be struck down by his misery. Many have been crushed under the weight of his boastfulness (Job 24:24 LXX), and thus he will fall, for in his pride, he has brought ruin to many. Dried up like grain in the heat, or like an ear of corn that falls away from the stalk (Job 24:24 LXX). Other translations suggest "like grass." The great Psalmist also articulates this truth: "For they, like grass, shall soon wither away, and like the greening grain, shall soon fall away" (Psalms 36:2). Job wisely noted that they "fell away by themselves," for each person’s sin becomes their own consequence.

Some, seemingly wishing to conceal their evil deeds, mask them under the cover of night (13-17). Therefore, a grave curse and misfortune ought to descend upon them, just as it does upon the oppressors (18-24). However, is this indeed the case? Job remains steadfast, in direct contradiction to the views of his companions, believing that his statements regarding the relationship between virtue and happiness are just (25).