Job 35:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When the oppressed call out, they rightfully deserve to be heard for their own sake, yet their pleas are often disregarded due to the arrogance of their oppressors. A just God permits His people to experience oppression in their earthly possessions, as the brutality of sin is amplified, enabling the purification of some while the depravity of others reaches its peak. Frequently, the righteous, during their trials, receive a spiritual comfort that is not sought in this life. They long for deliverance, not for their own sake, but for the benefit of their adversaries. Thus, when Almighty God rescues them in a remarkable way from their overwhelming peril, He reveals His might even to their tormentors and brings about their eternal condemnation in the same manner in which He protects His chosen ones in this world. The prophet articulated this sentiment, saying, "Deliver me, for the sake of my enemies" (Psalms 68:19). Essentially, he implies that his request for deliverance from temporal hardship is not for personal gain but rather for the transformation of his enemies, so that the preservation of his life through divine intervention may soften the hearts of those opposing him. Just as the Lord frequently saves His people to convert their opponents, He often chooses not to heed their cries to intensify the guilt of their pursuers, allowing them to revel in their triumph. Those who disregard what is unseen may, at times, be swayed by what is visible. However, visible miracles do not always benefit the righteous, for their adversaries may not merit illumination by the grace that remains concealed. Therefore, it can be stated: They will cry out in that place, yet He will not hear because of the pride of the wicked. This suggests that the iniquity of the oppressors serves as a barrier preventing Him from hearing the cries of the afflicted, and the righteous remain unseen in their salvation because the wicked do not warrant invisible mercy. The prophet again remarks, "When he shall see the wise man die, the simple man and the fool shall perish with him" (Psalms 48:11). Those who observe the righteous dying may doubt the possibility of them living eternally, and they add to the burden of their disbelief by losing hope when witnessing the death of the just. Thus, the cruel sink even deeper as they overtly oppose the innocent. The hidden Truth increasingly distances herself from those who freely act against her followers. Those who seek to harm the righteous are judged with greater severity when they do not endure hardship, exposing themselves to a more terrible fate when they pursue their sinful goals successfully. The punishment of God's judgment will serve as a future consequence for those unwilling to resist their malevolence. As the Lord conveyed through the prophet, "I have left them to the stubbornness of their heart, let them walk according to their own thoughts" (Psalms 80:13). Similarly, it has been said, "And the rod of God is not upon them" (Job 21:9). Now, concerning their leader, it is written, "He shall do and prosper" (Daniel 8:12). It is also noted about him, "And guile shall succeed in his hand" (Daniel 8:25). Deception will thrive in the hands of the Antichrist, as no trials hinder him from executing what he has predetermined against goodness. Solomon reiterated, "The carelessness of fools shall destroy them" (Proverbs 1:32). This illustrates the prescience of destruction, especially when the unfolding of wickedness appears to favor those who crave evil and when no impediment counters the schemes of the depraved. Often, when the desires of the sinful are deferred, their intentions shift, and facing obstacles in executing their wrongdoing leads them to acknowledge their guilt, causing them to eventually relinquish their plans. Therefore, when the Lord forsakes the wicked and permits them to prevail, the proud complete their wickedness in alignment with how the patience of the humble comes to fruition; thus, it is rightly stated, They will cry out in that place, yet He will not hear because of the pride of wicked men.