The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I comforted the heart of the widow.
בִּרְכַּ֣ת אֹ֭בֵד עָלַ֣י תָּבֹ֑א וְלֵ֖ב אַלְמָנָ֣ה אַרְנִֽן׃
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
He not only spoke of goodness but also acted upon it, generously sharing his entire store of virtuous actions with those in need. In fact, he expresses elsewhere, ‘The blessing of the destitute was bestowed upon me; I brought joy to the heart of the widow’ and ‘was he not warmed by the wool of my sheep’ (Job 31:20). Clearly, he enriched his resources through various means—through his words, actions, acts of charity, and intercession for the less fortunate.
The blessings of the impoverished individual, who was on the verge of death without garments, were bestowed upon me because I clothed him. In another interpretation, one might consider that the man facing death symbolizes someone who has renounced worldly desires and material wealth. When one’s attachment to the world and its possessions has perished, then the One who proclaimed, “He that loseth his life for My sake shall save it” (Matthew 10:39), will draw near to him. Job affirms that the blessing of this needy man will come upon me.
True generosity is expressed through faith, which is the fundamental motivation for such actions, influenced by the circumstances of time and place. Above all, it is essential to assist those in your immediate faith community. How heavy is your burden of guilt if a fellow believer is in need—especially in their shame—while you are aware of their plight, knowing they lack resources, are hungry, facing adversity, experiencing persecution, and at risk of losing their possessions, while they are wronged by others, and yet you do not come to their aid! Consider also if a righteous person is imprisoned and suffers punishment and torment due to debts—though all deserve compassion, the righteous deserve it even more.
If, in their distress, they find no support from you, prioritizing your riches over the life of the suffering individual, especially in times of peril when death looms. Job aptly noted, The blessing of him that perishes shall come upon me (Job 29:13).
I came to the aid of the distressed and the orphan, those who had no one to assist them. The blessings of those who were lost found their way to me, and I brought solace to the widow's heart (Job 29:12-13). These deeds reflect profound compassion: rescuing the afflicted, aiding the orphan, saving the perishing, and comforting the widow. Previously, it was recounted what he achieved through his words; now he links his spoken promises to the mercy he displayed: because I rescued the distressed and the helpless orphan. Indeed, his actions align with his words.
In a deeper sense, the actions exhibited by blessed Job apply not only to him personally but also foreshadow the Holy Church. In her role, she tirelessly nourishes her children with righteous teachings and offers her shelter, ensuring that she saturates them with her words while safeguarding them from harm. This principle is encapsulated in the verse, "Let the earth bring forth green herbs, grass sowing seed, and a fruitful tree bearing fruit after its kind" (Gen. 1:11). The 'earth' of the Church provides both the sustenance of the Word and the protection under its wings, granting nourishing herbs and the fruits of good deeds.
Additionally, the statement, “the young men saw me and hid themselves,” alongside, “I comforted the heart of the widow,” deserves careful reflection, particularly for those who lead and govern. The response of the young men hiding signifies a profound discipline in his presence. Conversely, his action of comforting the widow reflects remarkable tenderness. Some individuals are so strict that they lose all traces of compassion, while others are so gentle that they compromise discipline. Hence, those in authority must diligently balance strictness with loving kindness, ensuring they do not become harsh in discipline or overly lenient, thereby maintaining a harmonious relationship between firmness and compassion.
These acts of mercy are not merely apparent in the Holy Church's physical manifestations; they are also continually expressed spiritually. The Church “saves the sufferer that cries out” whenever she extends forgiveness to the repentant sinner. This aligns with the declaration: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). The cries of these needy souls can be likened to the Psalmist's entreaty, “Let thy mercy hinder us; for we have become very wicked” (Psalms 78:9). The Church extends her assistance to orphans, who find themselves abandoned and lost, while she serves as their sanctuary, offering comfort to all who turn from worldly desires and, in effect, whose former master is no more.
Moreover, the term ‘orphan’ may also refer to any faithful person experiencing the absence of a beloved spiritual Father, yet still receiving consolation. The blessings that come upon one near ruin manifest when the Church reassures the sinner and guides him away from the depths of sin. 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” (James 5:20). If saving the body from eventual death is commendable, how much greater is the merit of saving a soul destined to eternal life?
As for the ‘widow's heart,’ she finds comfort because every faithful soul, longing to repay the Lord, cries out for remembrance of her Husband's blessings. Though publicly perceived as a ‘widow’ due to His Passion, she draws solace from the assurance of the Holy Church regarding His Resurrection. Thus, the great comfort bestowed upon the widow occurs when faithful souls embrace the Church's message of His Second Coming, united spiritually with Him and one another.
After receiving no reply from his companions, Job takes it upon himself to continue defending his position. He reflects on his former days of joy, painting a vivid picture of his past. He recalls a time when he enjoyed God’s particular favor and recounts the happiness he experienced among his family, revered by everyone around him, much like a nobleman. He asserts that he always extended his hand to the needy and sought to remedy their hardships. With such righteous conduct, he anticipated a long and blessed life, viewing with assurance the honor and respect afforded to him.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS