Job 38:40Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The chief among them, a famished yet vigorous young lion, was commanded when the Gentiles were laid before him, ‘Kill and eat’ Acts 10:13. To these young lions, although still frail and residing in their lairs, the Lord spoke, saying, ‘Stay here for now, until you have power from on high’ Luke 24:49. Are they not rightly called lion cubs, born into the Church, who grasp the opposing world with their mouths? We recognize that all these actions were performed by the holy Apostles, who we acknowledge as exemplary teachers. Though they instruct those who follow them, they are still the offspring of those who came before, thus it seems unfair to label them as mere cubs. Yet because they teach certain believers, they still take pride in being disciples of the universal Church. And God rightfully gathers the prey for the lioness, as through the abundance of His inspiration, He shields sinners from wrongdoing, filling the souls of her lion cubs, thus satisfying the holy aspirations of the instructors through the conversion of many. These cubs rightly wait in their dens, sheltered in their caves; for not every moment is appropriate for teaching. The essence of a message can be lost if delivered at an inappropriate time. What is said softly may find strength when expressed at the right moment. Thus, one who understands how to speak wisely also knows when to remain silent. For how useful is it to admonish a wicked person when their distracted mind prevents them from hearing not only others’ words but even their own thoughts? Admonishing a wrongdoer is akin to blowing on a drunken man who does not feel the breath. Consequently, for a teaching to truly resonate in the hearts of its hearers, it must discern the opportune moment. Therefore, it has been aptly remarked about these cubs: They are sheltered in their dens, waiting in their caves. When the holy teachers perceive what needs to be addressed, they envelop their thoughts in silence, as though concealed in caves, finding shelter within their contemplation. But when the time is right, they emerge suddenly, withholding nothing that requires expression, delivering strong rebuke to the proud. Thus, the Lord each day gathers the prey for this lioness, whether through the Apostles or teachers appointed in their stead, and He continues to capture others. For this purpose, the righteous reach out to the sinners of this world, hoping that others, upon their conversion, might also escape from it. After the Gentiles were adeptly captured by the holy mouths of the Apostles, they became spiritually hungry, as they were desired by the Apostles. Hence, it stands rightly declared here:

God directs His attention to Job, who had dared to ponder these weighty questions. He initiates a dialogue through natural inquiries, illustrating that if one cannot grasp the simple realities of the physical world, it stands to reason that deciphering moral quandaries is far beyond human capability. The Lord begins by questioning Job about the creation and foundation of the earth, aiming to reveal the limitations of human knowledge (38: 1-3). If Job cannot comprehend this single query, how can he claim to understand the broader tapestry of existence (4-6)?

In contrast, God effortlessly formed the earth, akin to how one might construct basic structures—a process so magnificent and awe-inspiring that the heavenly hosts rejoiced in praise (7). The Creator’s might and wisdom are equally evident in restraining the oceans (8 - 11) and orchestrating the separation of light from darkness (12 - 15). These foundational aspects of creation, though, are not beyond the reach of human observation (16-20). Common phenomena such as snow, hail, rain, and frost elude human command and understanding (21-30), highlighting how even celestial movements and meteorological shifts lie outside human governance (31-38).

Turning next to the remarkable aspects of the world that are intricately woven into the fabric of life, God reveals to Job that it is His paternal provision that allows predators and birds to find sustenance (39-41).