Job 37:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The moment when the Lord’s voice resounds is one of horror, serving as a precursor to experiencing the sweetness of grace. Initially, we are disciplined by the realization of the grim reality of judgment, so that we may later be renewed through the comfort of heavenly joy. When our minds are overwhelmed by the allure of temporal things, dulling our discernment, a sudden encounter with Divine grace opens our eyes, previously shut, to the brilliance of truth. We recollect the sins we have committed, perceive the sternness of the Judge against them, and deeply understand the magnitude of the Judge’s greatness and the terrifying eternal verdict that He proclaims to the condemned: “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt. 25:41). The punishment of those cast away is vividly present before us, leading to the bitter reflection on the terrors of hell. The proud heart must first be shaken with fear, so that it may descend from its lofty state and be established in love, echoing the call to listen in terror to His voice. This call is perfectly matched with the notion of the sound that comes forth from His mouth.

The sound from God’s mouth signifies the awe and dread stirred within us by heavenly inspiration. Indeed, when God breathes upon us, awakening thoughts of what lies ahead, He inevitably stirs our concerns regarding past transgressions. The ‘mouth of God’ can also be understood as referring to His only Son, whom He designates as His hand, for all things are accomplished through Him (as the prophet states, “To whom hath the hand of the Lord revealed Himself?” [Is. 53:1]; and John corroborates, “All things began to be through Him” [Jn. 1:3]). Thus, He identifies this as His mouth. The prophet states, “For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” (Is. 1:20), which conveys that He communicates all matters relevant to us through Him. It is as if the Word is specifically called ‘mouth’; much like how we refer to ‘tongue’ rather than ‘words’ in Greek or Latin, and we might refer to the ‘tongue’ when we mean speech. Therefore, we aptly interpret this as the ‘mouth of the Lord.’ This understanding is reflected in the Song of Solomon as the Bride states, “Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth” (Song 1:2), signifying a desire for the presence of her Redeemer, the only-begotten Son. The ‘sound of the mouth’ may also symbolize the Holy Spirit Himself. Hence, it has been recorded that a sound came from heaven, as if blown by a mighty wind (Acts 2:2). Therefore, a sound issues from the Lord’s mouth when His coessential Spirit, manifested through His Son, penetrates our spiritual insensitivity. The mouth of the Lord speaks of this indescribable and intangible sound: “Of Mine shall He take and declare unto you” (Jn. 16:14).

The awe of His voice unveils the power of fear, while the sound of His mouth brings forth the sweetness of consolation. Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit initially experience dread regarding their earthly deeds but are ultimately comforted by the hope of heavenly realities. This sequence enables them to rejoice more in their faith regarding their heavenly rewards after first being alarmed by the prospect of punishment. Concerning the Spirit of the One, regarding the sound of His mouth, Paul asserts that we have not received a spirit of bondage, leading us to fear again; rather, we have received the Spirit of adoption as children, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15). Consequently, truth speaks through His mouth: “Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whosoever’s sins ye forgive, they are forgiven; and whosoever’s sins ye retain, they are retained” (Jn. 20:22-23). However, the fear of the converted transforms into strength; having acknowledged their sins through repentance, they are elevated to exercise judgment—their power granted by God. Once so fearful of heavenly judgment themselves, they now begin to absolve the sins of others, those who previously worried that their own sins would be held against them. Yet, because this spiritual judgment is not regularly visible in the physical realm, some might mistakenly believe that God is indifferent toward human affairs, governed merely by chance. In response to such beliefs, this truth rightfully stands against them.

The wonders of nature serve as evidence of God’s concern for humanity and the just distribution of His blessings and afflictions. The phenomena of rain and lightning, thunder and storms, are fashioned by His hand, serving either as instruments of discipline or vehicles of grace. As mankind cannot fully understand the reasons behind these extraordinary occurrences, nor can he replicate them, he must surrender his desire to challenge God and instead approach Him in humble reverence.