Job 29:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

All the congregations that form the one Church are called young virgins, not in terms of sinful age, but rather in grace, flourishing and not barren due to physical age, but thriving in spiritual vitality. Thus, in the latter days, as she seems weakened by age and finds it difficult to raise new life through preaching, she remembers her previous fruitfulness, saying, As I was in the days of my youth. Yet during all present times, up until the end of days, she continues to wield the mighty power of proclamation. She has successfully brought many Gentiles to faith and gathers all the Israelites designated for conversion into the fold of belief. For it is written, Until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, and so all Israel shall be saved Rom 11:25-26. However, there will be times when she must appear momentarily oppressed by her adversaries, at which point she recalls, As I was in the days of my youth, when God was present in my dwelling.

What is meant by the 'tent' in this context if not the abode of the mind? Our thoughts dwell within the council of our hearts. The one who contemplates the commandments of God silently has 'God secretly in his dwelling,' for he perceives the innermost sanctuary of his heart before the gaze of God, who said, And the thoughts of my heart are always in thy sight Psalm 18:15. External matters are visible to the eyes of men, but all the minutest thoughts are immeasurably more visible to the eyes of God. As it is stated, All things are naked and open before His eyes. Often, we fear displaying disorder before human observers, yet we remain unafraid regarding our inward thoughts before the one who sees all, despite our inability to see Him. We are far clearer to God in our inner selves than we are to men even in our outward actions. Therefore, all the Saints have examined themselves diligently, both inwardly and outwardly, wary of acting reproachfully externally and impious inwardly before the unseen Observer. The beings seen by the prophets are depicted as being 'full of eyes all around and within’ Ezekiel 1:18, Ezekiel 10:12, Rev 4:6, and Rev 4:8. One who presents themselves well externally yet neglects their inner self possesses eyes 'around' but not 'within.' However, all saints strive to carefully consider their external conduct 'around' them, setting good examples for their peers, while being cautious about their inward paths, aiming for blamelessness in the sight of the Inner Judge; thus, they are described as having eyes both 'around' and 'within.' In their efforts to please God, they work towards perfecting their internal lives, as the Psalmist notes concerning the Holy Church: all the glory of her, the king's daughter, is within Psalm 44:14, further adding that because she keeps all outward aspects spotless, she is justly described: Clothed in garments of wrought gold with ornament. She must embody both inner beauty and external integrity: magnificently formed within for her own glory and exemplarily outward for the edification of others. Therefore, let the blessed Job declare of himself, and likewise speak for the universal Church, When God was secretly in my dwelling. He acknowledges the extent of his inner progress by stating, 'God was secretly in his tent.' To also reveal the extent to which he has maintained righteousness outwardly, he proceeds with: