Job 36:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Who among us would dare to question God, asking, "Why do You do this, O Lord?"

St. Dorotheus shared a story: once, a ship arrived at the city docks bearing captives for sale. Many buyers gathered, seeking both captives and women. In that city lived a wealthy maiden, virtuous and devout. She awaited her opportunity to purchase a maid whom she hoped to educate in moral virtues and proper female skills. Eagerly, she approached the seller of slaves, who had two young girls. She paid the set price for one and left the docks. Shortly after, a disreputable woman, keeper of a brothel, approached the seller and bought the other girl for a minimal amount, taking her for exploitation.

This illustrates the unequal fates of these two young women. Who among us can fathom the depth and mystery of God’s plans? Both girls, innocent since childhood and sold into servitude, were oblivious to their forthcoming lives or destinies. Had they been raised well, they would have carried the sweet fruits of virtue throughout their lives. Yet one was entrusted to a teacher of good morals and a Christian lifestyle, and through her guidance, she blossomed into a virtuous Christian, emulating the Angels. In contrast, the other fell under the corrupting influence of a teacher of depravity and lies, eagerly following her mistress's wicked path, becoming a pawn of the devil, when she might have realized a better fate had she encountered a more righteous mentor.

Your decisions, O God, are manifold! A similar tale, slightly different, is shared by Gregory the Great regarding his relatives. This holy man had three aunts, Emeliana, Tarsina, and Gordiana. All devoted their lives to Christ by joining a community of virgins. Two of them honored their vows and lived in chastity until their deaths. The third, Gordiana, ignored guidance and disobeyed monastic authority by breaking fellowship with her holy sisters, drawn away into secular pleasures. Your judgments, O God, are profound!

“God is great in power; who can instruct Him? Who can show Him His path, or declare, ‘You have done wrong?’” (Job 36:22-23). With prudence, the royal psalmist expressed to God: “I was senseless and lacked understanding; I was like a beast before You” (Psalm 72:22). In other words, “I do not grasp Your judgments, O God; I am nothing before You, like the mere beasts. My role is to listen to Your voice and obey my Lord, rather than to question Your designs.”

It is noteworthy that David, who tended sheep from youth and had not pursued higher studies, understood his position with such humility, judging himself by the integrity of his heart and the prompting of God. Even the Seraphim, heavenly beings, act with humility before God. When the Word of the Lord announced the rejection of the Jews, the Seraphim each covered their faces with two wings, their feet with two wings, and flew with two wings, showing that their minds cannot comprehend the heights at which the wondrous and unfathomable acts of God are accomplished. No created mind can fully grasp the divine judgments of the Almighty Creator. It suffices for them to recognize and affirm that the Triune God is holy, praising His ineffable divine qualities: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6).

God is supremely Holy: Holy in His essence, Holy in His judgments, Holy in His acts! If the celestial spirits humble themselves in acknowledgment of the Divine Mysteries' incomprehensibility, how much more should we, fragile beings of the earth, declare: “The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and gracious in all His works” (Psalm 144:17)? St. Augustine brings us great comfort with his words: “God can save some without their good works, for He is good; He cannot condemn anyone, for He is righteous.”

The various natural phenomena serve as evidence of God's concern for humanity and the equitable distribution of His blessings and afflictions. Raindrops and lightning, along with thunder and storms, can function as tools of chastisement or instruments of grace, crafted by His hand. Since humanity cannot fully comprehend the reasons behind these wondrous occurrences, nor replicate them, it must relinquish any ambition to contend with God and instead submit to His will with silent reverence.