For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?
וְה֤וּא יַשְׁקִ֨ט ׀ וּמִ֥י יַרְשִׁ֗עַ וְיַסְתֵּ֣ר פָּ֭נִים וּמִ֣י יְשׁוּרֶ֑נּוּ וְעַל־גּ֖וֹי וְעַל־אָדָ֣ם יָֽחַד׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Does He allow silence to reign; who is able to provoke wrath? He provides tranquility and solace to the Church when the storm of persecution is not upon her, when the conflicts and disputes of false teachers have calmed. Does He obscure His presence; who can perceive Him? This applies both to the multitude and to an individual. It suggests that no one but He has chosen to unveil Himself to humanity. Who can behold Him in His full glory, who can grasp His greatness through reflection?
When He grants peace, who can be outraged? If He turns away His face, who can behold Him? Job 34:29. 32. Let us not question why the Gentile nations remained in disbelief for so long while the Jewish people maintained faith, or why the sin of disbelief caused the downfall of the Jews when the Gentiles rose in belief, as noted in Rom. 11:20. It is fruitless to ponder why some receive miraculous gifts while others face punishment. If one feels shocked or incensed that the Gentiles are accepted when He imparts peace, can anyone truly be outraged? If you find it disturbing that the Jews have lost their way, if He has hidden His face, who can possibly see Him? The ultimate and mysterious power serves as the explanation for the visible circumstances.
Therefore, the Lord expresses in the Gospel regarding this matter, "I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Oh, Father," (Matthew 11:25-26) and immediately provided the rationale for this concealment and revelation: "for such is Thy good pleasure" (Matthew 11:26). In these statements, we find an example of humility, reminding us to avoid carelessly debating the Divine purposes behind the calling of some and the rejection of others. After mentioning both aspects, He provides the motivation, first indicating that it is as God desires, specifically noting that what pleases the only Just One cannot be unjust. Thus, He speaks of the workers in the vineyard, who, despite differing in their labors, receive equal compensation, and when the one who toiled longer requests a larger reward, He replies, "Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go; but I desire to give this last one the same as you; am I not allowed to do what I choose with my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?" (Matthew 20:13-15). In everything that flows from Him, His hidden and just will remains the sole explanation for the outcomes.
Let it be noted, then: when He grants peace, can anyone truly be indignant? If He has turned away His face, who can see Him? Because God evaluates both the small and great equally, judging the deeds of individuals, whether they be a nation or a singular person, as stated in Job 34:29. 33. This serves to remind us that the judgment applied to one nation can also pertain to all humanity through an unseen assessment; thus, if one person is secretly chosen and another rejected, it is not unjust. We observe this occurring in both trivial and significant matters, so let us approach it with humility. The Divine decree is revealed to one soul, just as it is to one city; in the same manner, what is revealed to a city applies to a nation, and what occurs at the level of the nation reflects on all the peoples of the earth. The Lord pays such attention to each individual that He may appear indifferent to the larger world; yet, simultaneously, He can focus on all humanity as if He were unconcerned with individuals. The One who encompasses all things within His governance even while managing a single entity remains present to everything; He directs the world as a whole while attending to each individual, creating all things effortlessly by the power of His nature. Is it not astonishing that He, in creating and controlling all, does not linger in action yet remains at rest? Thus, it can be concluded that His judgment applies universally, whether to entire nations or to a single person, moving from one individual to an entire people, illustrating that Judah rightly deserved it.
Elius, confident that Job cannot dispute the veracity of his statements, chooses to closely analyze Job’s claims that the Lord chastises him without reason (34: 1-9=vv. 5-13: 18; 19: 7; 27: 2; 6: 4). He demonstrates that such an understanding of God conflicts with our belief in Him as the all-powerful Sustainer of the universe (10-12). If the Lord were to show favoritism or act unjustly, there would indeed be chaos in the world, and He would not prevent those who transgress the truth from doing so (13-20). His infinite wisdom and might, along with His compassion for those wronged, ensure His justice (21-30). Therefore, humanity is called to submit to the divine will (31-33). Elius advises that Job’s perspective requires adjustment and urges him to reconsider his thoughts (34-37).
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS