Job 29:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And ‘the swallow has found a nest’ since the Holy Church, out of her love for the Creator, is constructing a ‘nest’ for herself—a place of perfect serenity in faith, where her developing children, inexperienced and young, receive her nurturing care, embraced in love, until they depart. There are those who, in times of peace, venture far from this nest; their cries are warned by the words of blessed Job when he says, I will find my end in my shelter. This tranquility of peace lasts many days, and thus he wisely adds, I will extend my days like the palm tree. For the palm grows gradually, yet retains its greenery for an extended time. Through numerous trials, the Holy Church stands strong in faith and gathers many, desiring to be firmly established in the glory of that faith. Like a ‘palm tree,’ she remembers her days ‘multiplied’ when she faces sudden trials, mourning for the world's condition when she is slow to bring the faithful to conversion and quick to oppress the unbelieving.

It is fitting that the righteous life is likened to a ‘palm tree,’ as the base of the palm is rough and encased in dry skin, while above it bears fruit; below, it is enveloped in tough bark, while above it flourishes with vibrant growth. So too is the life of the elect: it scorns the lowly while adorning the heights. Its foundation is clad in dry skin as it recoils from countless sorrows. But high above, it is graced with the lush foliage of reward. The palm tree possesses another unique characteristic, differing from all other trees. In most trees, the trunk widens at the base near the root, becoming thicker as it descends, but in the palm, the trunk is narrower at the base and broadens ascending toward the branches and fruit; what is thin below expands as it rises. Thus, what exemplifies earthly minds better than the trees which grow wide at the base but narrow at the top? Those who cherish this world are robust in earthly matters but feeble in heavenly ones. They endure great suffering for transient glory, yet for everlasting hope, even minor labor becomes unbearable. They can withstand a long day before an earthly judge, yet tire easily in prayer before God after just an hour. They willingly endure nakedness, humiliation, and hunger for riches and honors, only to later torment themselves by being stingy with what they pursued so eagerly; however, they use their delay in seeking heavenly matters as an excuse, growing increasingly indifferent the more they believe the reward is postponed. They resemble most trees, wide at the base and narrow above, firmly attached to earthly pursuits while being detached from heavenly ones.

Conversely, the image of the palm tree symbolizes the progressive life of the righteous. They are never strong in earthly ambitions but demonstrate devotion to God, expanding their openness to the heavenly realm more widely than they have to worldly concerns. The great preacher states to some, “I speak according to human reasoning because of your frail nature. Just as you once presented your members as servants to impurity and lawlessness, so now offer your members as servants of righteousness for sanctification.” Rom. 6:19. This statement undoubtedly reflects a gentle concession to their weaknesses, as though to say plainly, ‘If you cannot do more, at least strive to produce good works with the same diligence you showed in your bad habits. Otherwise, the holy freedom of love cannot sustain those who are heavily bound by earthly pleasures.’

However, some who aim for heavenly rewards and seek to abandon harmful actions gradually stray from their rightful path. What else can we call these individuals, if not the rest of the trees, who languish in lower pursuits and never ascend higher? After their conversion, they fail to retain even their initial state; subsequently, like trees with large bases, they grow insignificantly above, slowly losing their pursuit of virtues over time. Their heavenly aspirations diminish imperceptibly, as those who initially set their sights on great and noble goals end up achieving only weak and trivial ambitions, their character increasingly bending with the passage of time.

Conversely, as previously noted, the palm tree possesses a trunk more substantial near the crown than at its base initially. Often, the conversion of the elect concludes with far more significant works than those with which they began; if they start slowly, they ultimately finish with fervor. They perceive themselves as perpetually beginning, thus persistently renewing their efforts with great zeal. This steadfastness of the righteous is illustrated by the prophet, who declares, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31, for they will ‘renew their strength’ and grow robust in spiritual practice after having been strong in the flesh. They will ‘soar like eagles’ as they engage in contemplation; ‘they will run and not grow weary’ as they continually remind themselves not to impede their own progress. They receive good things with joy, maintaining their readiness for the next, thus remaining steadfast in renewal; those who began small at the root evolve into something strong and powerful at the uppermost crown. Therefore, let the blessed Job also speak on his own behalf, voicing the sentiments of the Holy Church concerning those whom she nurtures and transforms in times of peace: I will find my end in my shelter, and I will extend my days like the palm tree. For ‘like a palm tree’ she ‘multiplies her days,’ as the hearts of the faithful are elevated within her, gaining strength continually until the last day. As the hearts of many grow weary under persecution, she grieves for those she has guided, who now show signs of weakness despite having once envisioned great strength. And because she is always centered on spiritual discernment, he rightfully concludes: