Job 34:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, John asserts, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8). A person is accurately called ‘ungodly’ when separated from the sanctity of true religion. As the prophet declares, “The wicked shall not rise in judgment” (Ps. 1:5). The Holy Church is seen as the assembly of the contemplative, where individuals are rightly gathered to witness the Light of truth, which is God. This is reflected when it was said to Moses, “There is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon this rock” (Ex. 33:21-22), followed by “I will remove My hand, and thou shalt see Me from behind” (Ex. 33:23). The Church symbolizes the place, the Lord represents the rock, and Moses embodies the multitude of the Israelites who did not believe when the Lord preached in their land. They therefore stand on the rock, seeing only the Lord's back as He passes, because having entered the Holy Church after the Passion and Ascension of the Lord, they received the knowledge of faith in Christ and recognized only the departure of one whose presence they failed to discern while with them.

Let it be noted then concerning those whom Divine chastisement finds in the Holy Church, continuing in their sinful ways; let it be said of them as Paul describes: “They say they know God, but in works they deny Him” (Titus 1:16). For they were in a place where they pretended to see God, yet loved the darkness amidst the very Light of truth. Though their eyes were open to doctrine, they closed them to their actions. This is why it is fittingly stated regarding Judah: “Her beholders are blind,” as they have not engaged in actions that follow their professions. Similarly, regarding Balaam, it is noted: “It falls, but their eyes are open” (Num. 24:16). They stumble in their actions despite keeping their contemplative eyes open. Just like those who profess faith yet do not embody it through their deeds, and who outwardly appear pious within the Church, but whose ungodly conduct places them outside of its true community. It is also remarked, “I saw the wicked buried, who when they were alive were in a holy place, and highly esteemed” (Eccl. 8:10). The unique peace of the Church conceals many who bear the Christian name but suffer from the disease of sin. If even a light breeze of persecution comes their way, it sweeps them away like dust from a threshing-floor.

Some wish to be recognized as Christians, drawn by the exalted name of Christ, as nearly everyone outwardly strives to be faithful, seeing others acclaimed as believers and feeling ashamed to appear otherwise, yet they scorn true piety. They attribute to themselves genuine inner experiences merely to enhance their outward appearance. Standing before the heavenly Judge, stripped of the faithfulness of their hearts, they present themselves clothed in the appearance of holiness, at least verbally. Others may retain faith in their hearts, yet lack the diligence to live in faith and truth. They stumble when it comes to acting on their beliefs, often losing before divine judgment even what they have sincerely believed due to their wicked actions. They continually defile themselves with sinful behavior, blind to the fact that the retribution of divine justice can seize them for such conduct. Oftentimes, when they falter in strictness, they fall into disbelief, even without persecution. Those who do not think that strict judgment hangs over them and believe they can sin without consequence cannot rightly be called faithful. To assume that they will not face punishment for unrepentant wrongdoing amounts to a loss of faith itself. When they fail to uphold a life reflecting their beliefs, they forfeit even that faith which they once seemed to possess. The language regarding the destruction of such adversaries can be found in the words of the prophet, expressed through the imagery of Jerusalem: “Destroy, destroy it, even to the foundation of it” (Psalms 136:7). Paul declares, “No other foundation can any man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11). The destruction of the adversaries, akin to the demolition of Jerusalem, occurs when evil spirits first dismantle good deeds, subsequently eroding the very foundation of faith in the hearts of believers. Good works stand upon faith like a structure on its foundation. Therefore, to destroy to the foundation signifies that after good deeds have been dismantled, the strength of faith is also scattered. As Jeremiah observes regarding Judah: “The sons of Memphis and Taphne have corrupted even thy head” (Jeremiah 2:16). To corrupt the head implies that after wickedness has taken root, the pinnacle of faith is undermined. When evil spirits associate with the soul through actions, they may defile the lower faculties but cannot taint the integrity of faith. Yet, a person whose faith is corrupted also defiles their very core of belief. The evil spirit can reach the higher aspects of the soul when, through corrupt behaviors, it infects the purity of true faith. Though these matters remain concealed from human sight, they are fully known to God, and many perish lacking faith, even within the very realm of faith, because it can rightly be said, “He shall smite them as the wicked, in the place before the eyes of them that behold.” They present themselves first as members of the Church, as righteous individuals; yet, as they cannot evade Divine judgment, they are struck down like the ungodly. This amplifies their punishment, as each one stood alongside the faithful in Church and dismissed the truth of faith. An even greater punishment follows for them, as they are witness to the examples of righteous living. The righteous and faithful brethren who stand before them serve as accusations against them in the impending judgment, for they are aware of what they neglect to emulate.