Job 37:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Psalmist aptly remarks, “And their bows were warped” (Psalms 77:57). A crooked bow ultimately strikes the one from whom it was aimed; similarly, the arrogant are like twisted bows in their speech, as they shoot arrows of scorn against pride that rebound upon themselves.

Thus, it is essential to ensure that the wisdom we acquire does not extinguish the light of humility while it illuminates our ignorance; otherwise, it ceases to be genuine wisdom. Though it may manifest eloquently, it can overshadow the speaker's heart with pride. There exist virtues of diverse qualities—the highest being faith, hope, and love. When genuinely possessed, they can never become corrupt. Conversely, gifts such as prophecy, teaching, and healing skills are of a mixed nature; they occupy a space between extremes, as they can lead one toward either heavenly grace or earthly acclaim. These mixed virtues enable our minds to pursue various paths based on our desires, including the quest for worldly wealth. Some may flaunt their riches, boasting of their charitable acts, while others seek worldly glory through their teaching and prophetic gifts, using those talents to accumulate earthly wealth. Yet, when these gifts are employed for the salvation of souls, the abundance we receive is shared with our needy brethren.

It is vital to remain vigilant and to overcome our vices before we seek to strengthen our gifts. If one carelessly relinquishes their gifts, it neither aids nor uplifts them but rather dismisses them. Consequently, when virtues are used merely to gain temporal fame, they are no longer virtues; they serve vice. Since humility is the foundation of virtue, it can only flourish within the roots of righteousness found in humility. Severing virtue from its root will surely lead to its demise, as it lacks the sustaining grace within it.

Elyuy’s observation about pride, particularly regarding those who “seem to themselves wise” and hesitate to contemplate God, prompts us to reflect on the gifts David received alongside his unwavering humility. Who would not feel tempted to pride, having vanquished lions and bears, been chosen over elder siblings, anointed king, slain Goliath, retrieved captives, and obtained the kingdom of Israel unopposed? Yet, when he brought the ark of God back to Jerusalem, he danced joyfully among the common people, seemingly oblivious to his favored status. Although customary for the people to rejoice before the ark, even the king joined in, serving God. This illustrates how someone chosen by the Lord maintains humility, equating himself with the humble and embodying that spirit through his actions. He does not cling to his royal authority, nor does he fear being ridiculed. He does not forget that the Ark belongs to God, who has already honored him. Before God, he presents himself as one of the common folk, thereby enhancing his deeds in the sight of others through his humility. While others may speculate about his actions, it is this dance that strikes me more profoundly than his battles. For with his struggles, he triumphed over external enemies; yet, through his dance before the Lord, he conquered his own pride. When Michal, Saul's daughter, in her pride, ridiculed him, saying, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, exposing himself before the maidservants” (2 Samuel 6:20), she was met with his proclamation: “The Lord liveth, and I will play and dance before the Lord who hath chosen me, and not thy father” (2 Samuel 6:21). Soon after, he declares, “I will yet humble myself, and be made more lowly than I was, and I will be humble before my own eyes” (2 Samuel 6:22). This signifies his desire to appear humble before men because he aims to maintain his humility before God.

Some approach their own worth with genuine humility, recognizing their mortality; however, they avoid appearing humble before men and instead shroud themselves in an outward display of beauty. Others may strive to appear humble, seemingly rejecting their worth by presenting an ostentatious modesty. Yet, in doing so, they subtly inflate their pride, believing they have achieved humility. Both behaviors mask the same sin of pride, which David wisely illuminated and overcame. He teaches that while he holds modest thoughts of himself, he also strives to act humbly. Therefore, he expresses a desire to “play and become more insignificant,” highlighting that he does not allow pride to swell within him as he consciously adopts a humble demeanor.

All those who are lifted by doctrine must consider what they ought to do, given that even David anticipated the coming Redeemer in human form and rejoiced in prophetic declaration, yet he remained humble, keeping his heart in check with humility, affirming, “I will be humble before my own eyes.” Elyuy wisely noted: “Therefore men shall fear him, and all who seem to themselves wise shall not dare to behold him.” Those who rely on their self-proclaimed wisdom cannot perceive the wisdom of God. The greater their pride, the more they distance themselves from His light; this pride blurs their vision and deprives them of the truth. Thus, if we aspire to true wisdom, let us humbly acknowledge our foolishness, shedding transient wisdom to embrace divine foolishness. For it is stated that God “chose the foolish things of this world to put to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). Furthermore, “If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he must become foolish so that he may become wise” (1 Corinthians 3:18).

The Gospels recount how Zacchaeus, short of stature, climbed a fig tree to see the Lord as He passed by (Luke 19:4). The term ‘barren’ is often symbolically associated with a ‘foolish’ fig tree. Zacchaeus, small in size, ascended the fig tree and saw the Lord because humble individuals who choose the perceived foolishness of the world are granted insight into God’s wisdom. The crowd may obstruct those of small stature from witnessing the Lord, for the clamor of worldly affairs hinders the feeble human mind from grasping the truth. However, we metaphorically climb the fig tree by acknowledging our own folly and surrendering ourselves to God. Is it not indeed foolishness, as perceived by the world, to relinquish earthly gains, to forgo vengeance, and to exercise patience amidst offenses? The Lord prompts us to ascend this figurative tree when He instructs us to demand nothing in return from those who take from us (Luke 6:30) and to turn the other cheek when struck (Matthew 5:39). We see the Lord passing by, for His wisdom is discerned from a distance rather than grasped in its entirety. Those who regard themselves as wise, however, remain unable to witness Him; caught in the hubbub of their own prideful thoughts, they have yet to discover a figurative tree from which to perceive the Lord.

All aspects of nature serve as evidence of God’s attentiveness to humanity and the just allocation of His blessings and afflictions. The rain and lightning, thunder and storms are wielded by His hands, either pointing to punishment or delivering mercy. Since mankind cannot comprehend the reasons behind these wondrous occurrences and is even less capable of replicating them, he must relinquish the desire to contest with God and submit to His will in silent awe.