Job 35:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Hence, this age represents night, necessitating the presence of watchmen to oversee it, ensuring that those charged with vigilance during the night protect the weary from robbers, wild beasts, and adversaries. Who are these watchmen? They are the militant angels.

Do you not perceive that everything stands in divine order, much like an army, with every being occupying its rightful position with utmost precision? No one transgresses their designated limits or infringes upon another's space; just as the guards maintain their watch, safeguarding the sleeping populace. When the feral creatures emerge, the people remain in slumber, and they should not assault towns or ravage those captured by sleep.

The One who brought forth existence from nothing does not neglect what He has fashioned, and He who formed humanity with mercy does not permit unjust suffering. He too experiences the suffering that comes with creation’s decline, for He who brought forth the created world from nothing is also aware of what could have existed. In moments when we search for the root of our troubles, perhaps too slowly, we are assured that we will not experience injustice. Since God is our Creator, we exist, having not been in the past, and as long as He reigns over us, we will not endure injustice. It follows, Who gave songs in the night Job 35:10. A ‘song in the night’ symbolizes joy amid suffering, for despite worldly hardships, we can still rejoice in the hope of everlasting life. Paul echoed this notion of ‘songs in the night’ when he proclaimed, Rejoicing in hope, in tribulation be patient Rom 12:12. David also expressed this sentiment when he sang, You are my hope from the oppression that surrounds me, my joy; deliver me from those who seek to harm me Psalm 31:7. Notice how he refers to oppression as ‘night,’ and yet in his need, he calls upon his Deliverer as his source of delight. Indeed, it was ‘night’ amid tribulation, yet within him, the ‘songs’ of comfort and joy resounded loudly. For we can only return to eternal joys through temporary losses. This encapsulates the essence of the Scripture: the hope of joy to come should fortify us against fleeting trials. This is further evidenced by the prophet Ezekiel, who recorded, in a scroll, ‘lamentations, song, and woe’ Ezekiel 2:10. What does this scroll signify but the words of God? Since it calls us to expressions of grief and sorrow, it reflects lamentation. It encompasses both song and woe, illuminating joy amid trials by outlining present hardships. It bears both song and woe; while we strive for sweetness, we must first endure bitterness. The Lord taught His followers about joy and sorrow when He said, These things have I spoken unto you, that ye might have peace in Me. In the world, you shall have tribulation John 16:33. It was as if He directly communicated, Experience comfort in Me, for harsh and relentless tribulation will pursue you in the world beyond. Every feeble individual, when faced with oppression, may have a faint hope for happiness, yet often forgets the inner joy they once possessed amid external tribulations. Hence, it was fittingly stated, And he said not, Where is God, Who made me? Who gave songs in the night? For had he uttered these words, he would have diminished the severity of his suffering and, with the infinite goodness sought within, would not have regarded his fleeting pain as unbearable.