Job 29:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, as we have stated before, Holy Church, when faced with severe trials from heretics or worldly individuals, reflects on former times when all took heed of her with faithful reverence and mourned her malevolent adversaries, saying, "They listened to me, awaited my teachings, and remained silent, absorbing my guidance." It is as if she were directly expressing, unlike today’s disciples who, while claiming to follow, attempt to alter the truths of my message rather than acknowledge them. Now, those who truly follow her counsel remain quiet because they do not dispute her teachings but accept them in faith. They seek to benefit from these words, not to pass judgment, but to embody them.

To proclaim that "They dared not add anything to my words" reflects the awe and respect of the congregation who heard them. This statement about the speech that "dripped upon them" pertains to the art of conveying the message. Those who preach must be mindful not to exceed what their listeners can grasp; it is essential for the preacher to match their teachings to the capacity of their audience. If high concepts are presented without consideration for the understanding of the least among them, the message becomes a demonstration of the preacher’s abilities rather than a source of benefit for the listeners. Among those called by the Lord, there are both vessels and bowls prepared for the sacred space, as mentioned in Exodus 25:29 and Exodus 37:16. The 'dish' signifies a sermon while the bowls represent the humble and simple aspects of God’s message. Hence, both vessels and bowls are prepared on the Lord’s table, indicating that Holy Revelation provides not only profound and enigmatic truths but also simple teachings that nourish the soul. As the Holy Church endures tribulations in these last days, she should hold tightly to this precious measure of wisdom and declare, “And my speech dripped upon them.”

Further, it is justly stated: "And they waited for me as for rain, and opened wide their mouths as for late rain." Through the words of holy preaching, we receive nourishment akin to rain when we genuinely acknowledge the dryness of our hearts, seeking refreshment through sacred teachings. The Psalmist rightly pleaded to God, "My soul is to you as the earth without water," as found in Psalms 142:6. The prophet calls us to immerse ourselves in these life-giving streams, as he invites all who thirst to come to the waters, as stated in Isaiah 55:1. We thus receive the words of the holy sermon, symbolically "opening the mouth of our heart to the late rain." Had there not been a 'mouth of the heart,' the Psalmist would not have condemned the wicked utterances that arise from the heart, stating, "with the heart they spoke evil things," in Psalm 11:3. The mouth of the heart signifies our readiness to absorb the sermon’s life-giving streams. This sermon has reached us through the sacrifice of Him about whom the Psalmist proclaimed, "And lifted up my hands as in the evening sacrifice," as seen in Psalm 140:2, for our Redeemer, at the climax of time, experienced the sufferings inflicted by His persecutors, offering His own sacrifice for us. Concerning this 'late rain,' it is written, "I will give you the early rains, and the late rain" in Jeremiah 5:24. The early rain was granted to His chosen ones by imparting knowledge of the law early on, as stated in Deuteronomy 11:14. The 'late rain' was bestowed because it was ordained that the mystery of His Incarnation should be proclaimed in the latter days. This same mystery is continually preached by Holy Church, as she nourishes the hearts of her listeners with that late rain.