Job 37:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The north wind is commanded to rise, so that the opposing spirit, which binds the hearts of men, can be driven away. The south wind comes and blows on the garden, allowing for the sweetness of its fragrances to be experienced; for when a person's heart is filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit, any notion of his own importance is quickly removed, enabling the saints’ tongues, like a garden swaying in the south wind, to rightly declare that we are to God the fragrance of Christ 2 Cor. 2:15-19. Consequently, the garments of the Holy Church warm as the earth is stirred by the south wind; those who adhere to it in faith radiate with the fervent zeal of love, as their minds are enkindled by the breath of the Holy Spirit. However, this understanding does not preclude recognizing in this imagery the blessed Job himself; we can certainly apply this interpretation to each individual member, while speaking of the Church collectively.

For each person who lives righteously and teaches others acts like various garments, with listeners who are bound to them by their agreement. Garments cannot be warm in themselves; they require a living body to cover and retain the heat that emanates from within. Only through this inner warmth do they become warm. When the garments are warm, they hold onto that heat and return it to the body. What does the image of garments clinging to a living body signify, if not the lives of disciples closely united with a righteous teacher? The disciple indeed absorbs warmth through the pores, being ignited with love for God by the example and the powerful preaching of the teacher. He expels his own coldness when he turns away from his former sins and sustains the warmth received through the teaching. When holy preachers recognize that their listeners are striving to love God, they themselves are further ignited to teach with greater fervor. Observing their disciples burning with passion for higher pursuits, they feel a renewed drive to announce the joys of the heavenly realm. And should they ever face temptations in deeds, words, or thoughts, they look towards their disciples’ progress and are convicted by the smallest failings, choosing to amend themselves, lest their flawed example hinder those they instruct in the principles of inward righteousness through preaching. When the listeners are inspired by the words of their teachers, the garments indeed become warm through the living body. Likewise, when the behavior of the teachers improves with the growth of their pupils, the heat returns, allowing the body to become even warmer from the garments that have been heated. Teachers must not assume they witness the growth of their students solely through their preaching; unless the Holy Spirit fills their hearts, the teacher’s voice registers in vain to the listener’s ears. Though teachers can articulate with their voices, they cannot induce a genuine impact within the student; for, as it is stated, he who plants and waters is nothing, but it is God who gives the increase 1 Cor. 3:7. Thus let them ask, Do not your garments grow warm when the earth is swept by the wind from the south? The disciples, now uplifted by teachers who lead righteous lives, experience the warmth of divine love, awakened by the breath of the Holy Spirit. He was, in essence, rescuing blessed Job, stating, You are attributing this to yourself in vain if you believe that anyone has grown through you; for those whom you support will remain cold in their apathy unless warmed by the Holy Spirit’s touch. Following this declaration, he immediately resorts to ridicule, influenced by childish arrogance, stating:

The various aspects of creation serve as testimony to God's concern for humanity, as well as the just allocation of His blessings and afflictions among people. The rain and storms, both striking and gentle, are wielded by His hand as instruments of discipline or compassion. Since humanity cannot comprehend the reasons behind these extraordinary manifestations, nor can they replicate them, it is essential for them to relinquish any intentions of challenging God and instead submit to His will with profound awe.