Because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless, that had no helper.
כִּֽי־אֲ֭מַלֵּט עָנִ֣י מְשַׁוֵּ֑עַ וְ֝יָת֗וֹם וְֽלֹא־עֹזֵ֥ר לֽוֹ׃
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Esau, the ancestor of Job, defied nature by viewing his brother as an outsider. In contrast, Job embraced strangers as if they were his kin, proclaiming, “I have delivered the needy from the hand of the mighty, and I have been a father to the fatherless, and I have taken care of cases I did not recognize” (Job 29:16). He honored all that was different, akin to Esau, who took what was foreign and made it his own.
The essence of true courage is not found merely in physical strength or robust muscles, but in the integrity of the spirit. This moral integrity is characterized by the ability to protect rather than harm. A person who neglects to shield another from danger when they have the capacity to do so shares the same culpability as one who causes harm. An example of this was set by Moses, who first demonstrated his valor when he witnessed an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew; he intervened, struck the Egyptian, and concealed him in the sand (see Exodus 2:11-12). Solomon wisely advised, "Rescue those being led away to death" (Proverbs 24:11). Clearly, this principle has its roots even in thinkers like Tullius, Panethius, and Aristotle.
Job proclaimed even before them, "I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless who had no one to assist them. May my blessing be upon the perishing" (Job 29:12-13). Who displayed the greatest courage by pushing back against the devil’s assault and triumphing through the strength of his spirit? There is no uncertainty regarding the bravery of the individual to whom the Lord refers when He states, “Gird up your loins like a man... be adorned with majesty and might... and bring low everyone who is proud” (Job 40:7-10). The apostle affirms, “You have the strongest comfort” (Hebrews 6:18). It is the courageous one who finds solace amid suffering.
Because I delivered the distressed man pleading for help and the orphan who was without support, blessings from the lost came to me; I brought solace to the heart of the widow. These actions demonstrate profound compassion: saving the afflicted, aiding the orphan, rescuing the perishing, and comforting the widow's heart. It has already been established what he has achieved through his words. He states, "The ear that heard me blessed me," thereby linking his speech to the mercy he displayed through action, as seen in his salvation of the suffering man and the orphan. His words and deeds are in harmony.
The virtues exemplified by blessed Job, while directly applicable to him, resonate with the calling of the Holy Church. The Church consistently embraces her children, providing nourishment through righteous teachings while also safeguarding them. She seeks to fill them with divine truth and protect them from evil. Hence, it is beautifully expressed, “Let the earth bring forth green herbs, grass sowing seed, and a fruitful tree bearing fruit after its kind.” Indeed, this aligns with the reality of the Church, which nourishes us with the Word and offers us the refuge of its protection—providing not only the refreshment of greenery but also the shielding fruit of good works.
It is important for leaders and those in governance to take to heart the words that state, ‘the young men saw me and hid themselves,’ alongside the assertion, ‘I comforted the heart of the widow.’ The profound authority implied by men hiding in his presence contrasts sharply with the gentleness reflected in his comforting the widow. Some leaders are so rigid they lack compassion, while others are so lenient they forfeit discipline. Those in authority should strive diligently to maintain a balance: neither allowing the strictness of their governance to overshadow their kindness nor sacrificing discipline for gentleness. Discipline should guide kindness, and kindness should enrich discipline, supporting one another so that strength does not become unyielding and compassion does not become feeble.
The acts of mercy described above are embodied by the Holy Church, which continuously expresses itself both physically and spiritually. She ‘saves the sufferer that cries out’ by extending forgiveness to the sinner yearning for absolution. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The pleas of these afflicted individuals resonate with the Psalmist’s cry: “Let thy mercy hinder us; for we have become very wicked.”
The Church also aids the orphans—those who have lost their earthly support—by embracing individuals who abandon worldly desires, finding comfort in her embrace. Furthermore, the term ‘orphan’ may refer to any faithful believer who, despite being temporarily deprived of the presence of their good Father, finds solace. The Church receives the blessing of those on the brink of despair when she redeems sinners and steers them away from sin's pit. As it is written, “He that hath turned the sinner from his false way shall save the soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.” If saving a physical life from impending death merits reward, how much greater is the honor of saving a soul destined for eternal life in heaven?
The widow’s heart receives comfort, as every faithful soul, longing to repay the Lord, echoes a yearning for the memory of her spouse’s blessing. While united spiritually with Him, she is called a ‘widow’ due to His departure; however, she finds assurance in the Holy Church's teachings about His Resurrection. Thus, great comfort fills the widow's heart as believing souls learn the Church's declarations regarding His return, with whom she is spiritually united.
Yet there exists another source of His anguish, particularly noted in Hebrews, deserving significant contemplation and even a sense of awe. He yearns for the opportunities to show kindness that He once had but is now deprived of. “I rescued the needy from the grasp of the mighty and aided the orphan who had no one to assist him. ‘But the mouth of the widow praised me.’ ‘The eyes are blind, the feet are lame; I became a father to the helpless” (Job 29:12-16). Do not despair, beloved soul! The Almighty, the ultimate giver and supporter of all kindness, does not permit His goodness to be criticized. Through you, He will restore you to the days of yore in which He sustained you. Indeed, as the final chapter of His life affirms, “the Lord restored to Job the fortunes he had before, for Job's upliftment” - “the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than the former” (Job 42:10-12).
Not receiving a reply from his companions, Job resumes speaking to defend himself, reflecting on his past state of happiness and elaborating on it vividly. He recalls a time when he was under God's special grace (29:1-5) and enjoyed joy within his family, revered by all, akin to a prince (6-10). He made it a priority to assist those in need and sought to address their shortcomings (11-17). Through such actions, he anticipated a long and joyful old age (18-20), embracing with confidence the respect and regard bestowed upon him (21-25).
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS