Job 37:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For when God penetrates the mind, it becomes evident that the agony of repentance swiftly ensues, allowing the soul to experience a wholesome sorrow, contrasting with its previous delight in the fleeting joys of unrighteousness. Through repentance, the highest truth is grasped. The conscience, once tainted, finds renewal through tears of baptism, enabling it to behold the inner light. Hence, alongside the mourning of repentance, the expression follows: He shall resound with the voice of His majesty.

For indeed, God resonates with the sound of His greatness when He reveals to us, already burdened with sorrow, the magnitude of His supreme acts. The voice echoes from heaven when the reality of grace awakens us from our slumbers of neglect and carelessness, instilling sudden dread as we lie on the earth; preoccupied with worldly pursuits, we are caught off guard by divine retribution, and our minds, once lulled in the comforts of sin, are now stirred to concern for the higher realities. Yet, we remain unaware of when this unsettling visitation shall come upon us, nor can we discern with our eyes the intent of the One who seeks to transform us for the better. Thus, it is stated: And He shall not be questioned when His voice is heard.

The voice of the Lord resonates when His grace touches our spirits, piercing through our spiritual insensitivity, igniting our hearts with a fervent love. However, even the mind illuminated by the Spirit’s voice cannot discern how this divine influence enters or departs. As it is stated in John, The Spirit breathes where it wills, and you hear its sound, but do not know whence it comes and where it goes; for to perceive the Spirit’s voice is to be enkindled with love for the unseen Creator through the awakening of our inner conscience. Yet, no one comprehends its origin; we cannot predict the moment it will manifest through the words of the messengers. Similarly, no one understands its destination; when many individuals listen to the same sermon, it is impossible to know precisely whom it bypasses or to whose hearts it penetrates and remains. Even among those who experience this transformation, the process is not uniform; the One who subtly alters the tangible also quietly sows seeds within human hearts.

Take, for instance, the raising of Lazarus, a miracle that simultaneously stirred many Jews to zeal for this resurrection. Behold, the same marvel illuminated some with faith while clouding others' reason with envy’s darkness. Thus, both thieves witnessed the same death of our Savior, though one, in his pride, dared to insult Him while the other approached with reverence. Their circumstances were identical, yet their internal responses varied, for the hidden Judge, through invisible workings, orchestrated diverse outcomes. Given that these subtle influences cannot be captured by human thought, the nuances of the divine voice remain a mystery to us. Therefore, it follows that:

Elihu emphasizes that one cannot evade God’s judgment, and for Job to understand this, he needs to contemplate the magnificence of God’s deeds. The natural world serves as evidence of God’s attentiveness toward humanity and the just distribution of His blessings and calamities. Elements such as raindrops and lightning, as well as thunder and storms, are orchestrated by God, serving as either instruments of discipline or tools of compassion. Since humanity cannot comprehend the reasons behind these miraculous occurrences and is even less capable of replicating them, it is necessary to abandon any desire to contest God and instead submit to His will with humble awe.