THEOSISGregory the Great
Verse 2. Do you truly believe that your perspective is justifiable when you claim, I am more righteous than God (Job 35:2)? Every individual who examines this narrative recognizes that the blessed Job never asserted his own righteousness in comparison to God. Instead, he proclaimed, "Let Him declare justice upon me, and my cause shall lead to triumph" (Job 23:7). In reflecting on his own life, Job wrestled with his suffering, often believing that his afflictions were a means of purging his sins rather than a reflection of his merit. Consequently, he found assurance that his case would result in victory, as he identified no wrongdoing warranting his punishment. Indeed, the Lord spoke to Satan, "You have provoked Me against him, to destroy him without cause" (Job 2:3).
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What sin did Job commit in addressing the One who unwittingly participated in the divine and secret decree against himself? Or how is it erroneous if, in the estimation of human beings, our spoken words seem to diverge from the underlying truth, yet connect and align when reaching the heart—the "hinge of the heart"? People tend to interpret words based on their external sounds, but divine judgments perceive them as emanating from the depths of the soul. Among humans, our hearts are assessed through our words, yet before God, our words are analyzed according to the intentions of our hearts. Although blessed Job verbalized what God internally communicated, he sincerely expressed all he said, believing it echoed the inner judgment. His declaration, imbued with prophetic spirit—"May He establish justice upon me, and my cause lead to victory"—was a plea for the presence of our Redeemer. For He, the Virtue and Wisdom of the Father, may be mistakenly perceived as merely His Justice. As it is written, "Whom God has made for us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification" (1 Cor. 1:30). Because it is God who has established this justice against sinners who turn away from Him, illustrating its incarnation, He simultaneously beckons them to return from their wrongdoing, embodying the justice of God. In deviating from His paths, humanity triumphed over their ancient adversary. The narrative unfolds as follows: