Job 31:38Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

May it never be that I should live in excess while they endure want, nor enjoy good health when I neglect to tend to their wounds, nor possess adequate food, apparel, or shelter without sharing my bounty with them, nor offer them clothing if I am able, or refuge in my home! We must choose – either to abandon all for Christ, so that, should we take up our cross, we might genuinely follow Him (Matt. 16:24), and being unencumbered, soar towards the heavenly realms, and through humility find true exaltation, gaining Christ (Phil. 3:8) in place of all else; or to share our resources with Christ, such that the very act of possessing may be consecrated by our stewardship, allowing the needy to participate in our bounty. If I sow solely for myself, I echo the words of Job, ‘Let me sow, and let others eat; instead of wheat let a wolfsbane grow, and instead of barley a goblet’ (Job 31:8); may a fire sweep through and a tempest scatter my sowing, rendering my efforts in vain. If I construct storage silos to amass riches for and from mammon, may my soul be required of me this very night (Luke 12:18-20), to answer for the sinful hoarding of wealth.

The furrow is part of the earth, suggesting that the phrase does not need additional explanation. Here, as the course of history unfolds on the earth, we are invited to perceive its mystical meaning as if through an open door. It is as if he declares plainly, “Given that you know the literal meaning is without substance, it is essential for you to explore deeper meanings without fear.”

Everyone who governs their household or is set over a community for the greater good is essentially responsible for nurturing the land they oversee. Therefore, each individual elevated above others by divine design should sow in the minds of those beneath them the abundant seeds of their teachings. The land “cries out against” its steward if any rightful grievances are expressed against a leader, whether in a family or within the Holy Church. The land itself protests when the minds under its governance suffer due to injustice, indicating that it is indeed the furrows that are burdened. The earth, even in the absence of labor, yields sustenance; however, when cultivated, it bears rich fruit.

Some individuals, even without the “cultivation” provided by study or encouragement, manage to yield some good within themselves, akin to unplowed land producing a few crops. Yet, there are those who, continually seeking wisdom and engaging with holy teachings and prayers, have their previously hardened hearts opened by the plowshare of divine instruction, allowing the seeds of teaching to take root, resulting in the emergence of virtuous actions. Unfortunately, it often occurs that those in leadership act unjustly, causing harm to those who were meant to be uplifted. When the untrained masses witness such unjust leaders, they may voice their discontent, but do not necessarily empathize with the suffering of others. In contrast, those who have diligently absorbed knowledge and nurtured their souls are quick to feel compassion for the innocent burdened by the weight of oppression, as they can recognize the unjust suffering of their neighbors. The spiritually attuned mourn for the physical pain of others, as they have learned to transcend their own sorrows.

Thus, if a leader commits wrong against those entrusted to their care, “the earth cries out against him and the furrows complain,” because the uninformed respond vocally while the enlightened lament in silence for the transgressions. The phrase about the land crying out or the furrows lamenting suggests a collective outcry against an unjust ruler, with those who have experienced a richer spiritual life moved to tears. The distinction between furrows and the earth signifies that those within the Holy Church, who nurture their intellects with dedication to contemplation, generate far greater abundance than the average believer. Their capacity to sow spiritual seeds correlates with the abundance of good deeds they produce.

Some individuals are appointed over the faithful, benefiting from the Church's resources but failing to impart the wisdom they have received to others. In contrast, a truly virtuous individual fulfills their responsibilities by not merely consuming the provisions of the Church but by actively engaging in the ministry of preaching. As the Creator stated, “You should have given mine to the merchants, and then I, coming, would have received mine at a profit” (Matthew 25:27). Therefore, the one who “eats the fruit of the land without payment” takes advantage of the Church for personal fulfillment but neglects to share the gift of preaching with the community.

What can we shepherds say if, before the arrival of the Strict Judge, we take on the role of proclaimers yet squander the provisions of the Church in thoughtless consumption? We may meet our own physical needs but fail to nurture the souls entrusted to us. Observe how a saintly figure, despite being burdened with numerous responsibilities, remained steadfast in preaching. He never “ate the fruits of the earth without payment,” as he compensated those under his care with wise and righteous teachings for the sustenance he received. Each leader owes a debt to Almighty God, whether overseeing the many or the few, equally bound to guide those in their charge through continuous vigilance and encouragement.

By divine order, we are all interlinked in a system of governance and obedience to our true Lord; thus, we are servants to one another. If those in authority are to serve through words, it follows that those in subjection must yield the fruits of obedience, while leaders demonstrate care and compassion. Therefore, as we diligently seek to support one another in this life, we may one day rejoice together with our true Lord. Yet, some neglect their obligation to preach, feeling envy towards others’ blessings, thus forfeiting the true essence of goodness. As James rightly admonishes, “But if ye have bitter envy among yourselves, and grumpiness in your hearts...this is not wisdom coming down from above, but earthly, soulish, demonic” (James 3:14-15).

Consequently, he adds, “If I have eaten the fruits thereof without payment” and “or made the souls of the tillers suffer.” The “tillers of the earth”—the caretakers—strive diligently within their humble roles to contribute to the grace of preaching the Holy Church's message. To avoid causing suffering to the “cultivators” of the land means to refrain from envying their labor; church leaders must acknowledge their right to preach without harboring resentment towards others who seek to communicate the same truth. A pastor’s righteous conscience, desiring the Creator’s glory above their own, strives to facilitate the spiritual growth of others.

The faithful preacher aspires that the truths they cannot communicate alone may be expressed by others. Therefore, Moses voiced his desire for all to prophesy, rejoicing in the possibility that “if all the people of the Lord were prophets, then the Lord would send His Spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29). His vision embraced an environment of shared prophecy, devoid of jealousy for the good that others might share.

Thus, Job exemplified these virtues, and should he fail to uphold them, he binds himself to a sentence of curse.

His home welcomed all travelers (30-32), and he considered himself so innocent that he could confidently approach the Almighty’s judgment (31-37), unafraid of the curse that fell upon Adam for his transgression (38-40). Consequently, in Job’s conduct and characteristics, we observe not merely the righteousness of the Old Testament believer but also the noble virtues that exemplify the true nature of New Testament followers. It is important to note that in these speeches, particularly the final one, Job provides a comprehensive overview of his entire life. We perceive him as a family man, a judge, and a leader; his interactions with peers and those beneath him, as well as his compassion towards the unfortunate—revealing both his overt actions and his innermost intentions. The entirety of his life is laid bare: the joy he once cherished, the sorrow he now endures, and his hopes for what lies ahead. This portrayal encapsulates the essence of Job. It is appropriate that he concludes his defense against his friends and his assertions of innocence with this reflection. Notably, the conclusion of Job’s speech (32:1 in the Slavonic and Default translations) is particularly significant within the book of Job.