Job 38:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, when the Tabernacle was constructed as a foreshadowing of the Church, it was commanded that Moses set up four pillars and dress their bases in silver (Ex. 26:32). Here, silver is symbolic of the radiance of the Divine Word, as captured in the Scriptures: The words of the Lord are pure words, silver refined in a furnace (Ps. 11:7). The bases clad in silver uphold the four pillars of the tabernacle, as the preachers of the Church are adorned with the Divine Word, positioning themselves as exemplars for all and embodying the teachings of the four Evangelists in speech and action.

The prophets may similarly be recognized as foundational. When they first spoke of the Lord’s incarnation, they established supports from these foundations, bearing the weight of the unfolding revelation. Thus, when God instructed Moses to erect the tabernacle's columns, He commanded that their bases be silver-coated. Columns signify the Apostles, who disseminate their teachings throughout the world, while the silver bases symbolize the prophets who, grounded and steadfast, uphold the columns above them. Although the lives of the Apostles align closely with their teachings, they draw strength from the very foundation established by the prophets. Why are the columns arranged in pairs, resting on distinct bases? This arrangement signifies that when the holy prophets harmonize their messages regarding the incarnation of the Mediator, they surely guide later preachers of the Church, assembling a more solid and enduring foundation through their unity.

Moreover, it is fitting for the foundations representing the prophets to be silvered, as silver’s brilliance is maintained when actively used; neglecting this brilliance leads it to tarnish. The declarations of the prophets remained obscured, like silver absent its luster, until the Coming of the Mediator, who illuminated them through His incarnation so that the hidden light shone forth, revealing the meanings of prior generations’ words through His actions. Whether discussing the word "foundations" in reference to the prophets or the teachers who succeeded them, let it be raised: upon what are its foundations anchored? You comprehend, as do I, that all things are held together by the One who first realigns the inward toward outward goodness. For he who lays claim to goodness without true foundation is an unstable base; until one relies on the true foundation, their weight causes them to falter.

With various discussions previously conducted regarding the structure of the Holy Church, we then seek to understand how formerly opposing nations have been reconciled, or rather, how the diverse elements of this sacred edifice are unified. It follows then: or who laid its corner-stone? Job 38:6.

By Divine grace it is apparent whom Scripture declares the corner-stone. It is He who, by uniting the Jewish people on one side and the Gentiles on the other, binds them into a singular structure of the Church; of whom it is written, He made of both one (Eph. 2:14), positioning Himself as the corner-stone, encompassing both earthly and heavenly realms. He gathered the Gentiles and Israel together, along with the angels of heaven. At His birth, the angel proclaimed peace on earth and goodwill toward men (Lk. 2:14). This declaration signified that the joy offered at the King’s birth was significant, acknowledging previous discord. Concerning this stone, the psalmist proclaims, The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner-stone (Ps. 117:22). Jechoniah, represented by the stone, is referenced by Matthew when he recounts the fourteen generations, mentioning him twice (Mt. 1:11-12). This reference was made because he was taken to Babylon with the people of Israel; in moving from one extremity to another, he marks the cornerstone in that he was appropriately counted twice, illustrating the two sides of a wall.

Thus, he symbolizes Him who was born in Judea and, uniting the Gentiles, traversed, as if from Jerusalem to Babylon, binding all through the art of love—the very fabric of faith, which once lay divided by discord.

What, then, are its foundations? Job 38:6. The foundations for each individual's soul rest upon their intentions. Just as a structure relies on its pillars, and the pillars on their foundations, our lives find grounding in virtues, which are themselves anchored in our innermost purposes. Consequently, it is written, No other foundation can any man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11). Our foundations are steadfast when our intentions are resolutely placed upon Christ.

It is futile for any foundation to attempt to support lofty edifices if they are not themselves securely anchored; for man’s endeavors, however grand, amount to empty pursuits if directed away from eternity. Seeking not the rewards of true life, they become recipients of a weightier ruin—the higher the structure built without a solid foundation. For when devoid of the desire for eternal life, those who strive to elevate themselves through their own strength inevitably fall deeper into the pit of vanity.

We ought not to focus merely on what the foundations sustain, but rather on where these foundations themselves are situated. Indeed, the hearts of men, with divine assistance, should consider not only their actions but also the intentions propelling them. Therefore, when Paul delineates the strict Judge, he denotes the goodness of deeds: who will reward every man according to his works; to those who, through patience in good works, seek glory, honor, and incorruption; eternal life (Rom. 2:6-7). Thus, while addressing good works, he encapsulates the entirety of the actions of the elect, while clarifying on what those actions' foundations rest, asserting that to pursue glory, honor, and incorruption—eternal life—is essential.

He implies that although some exhibit patience in their good deeds, they will not attain glory and incorruption unless their intentions—those foundational aspirations—firmly rest upon the solid Rock. For God does not dwell within the structure even of a righteous life unless it is founded upon Him, whom He upholds.

The intentions of every elect soul are firmly anchored in the hope of eternity; thus, the Lord’s voice aptly inquires of this earth, Upon what are its foundations fixed? As if to declare, On what, if not on Me? For when every righteous soul directs itself to Me, all they accomplish in time is assuredly grounded in Me, firmly established for eternity.

As we rest even more securely upon the foundation, adhering to the outward prescriptions of God's word while delving deeper into their profound meanings, the query persists: Or who laid the corner-stone of it? Job 38:6.

The term "cornerstone" invokes several profound meanings within Scripture. It is laid by Divine power; without this divine touch, man remains shackled by the shadows of ignorance. Yet if this cornerstone is recognized, he gains freedom, coming to know God’s commandments, either pursuing their fulfillment or contemplating their deeper significance. However, our understanding can never reach this unless He, our Creator, has transformed our nature.

He is termed 'the cornerstone' not solely because He reconciled the two nations; moreover, He exemplified in Himself two models of righteous living: the active and the contemplative, joined together in harmony. For these two lives differ greatly, yet our Redeemer embodied both during His earthly ministry, performing miracles among the people by day and devoting nights in prayer on the mount. Through this, He demonstrated to His disciples the necessity of loving their neighbor without sacrificing their devotion to God, reminding them not to forsake their love for God out of excessive love for their neighbor, or vice versa.

As the Mediator between God and humanity is manifested within the hearts of men, when they do not consciously realize it, His works order both the transient matters and reveal the ultimate foundations of all. Hence, it is justifiably stated, Or who laid the cornerstone of it? It clarifies the Lord’s intention; except for Me, who sent Him through time for the salvation of humanity, My only Son beyond time, so that mankind might comprehend that even diverse ambitions need not contradict each other. It is essential to note that He does not state He simply sent Him forth, but specifically sent Him, distinguishing in the Latin texts between "non emisisse" and "sed dimisisse."

For indeed, the Son, taking on human nature, descended from the highest to the lowest state. Yet, astonishingly, even the elect angels, who were unaware of this mystery, marveled at the Glory of the Incarnation.

The Lord directed His attention toward Job, who presumed to grapple with these profound questions, and, urging him to listen, presented inquiries drawn from nature, aiming to highlight the impossibility of comprehending even the simplest aspects of the physical realm, thus amplifying the insurmountable challenge of addressing issues of the moral domain (38: 1-3).

Initially, the Lord questioned Job about the origins and foundational state of the earth, seemingly to demonstrate to Job the limitations of human understanding and the vast unknown that surrounds him if he cannot even address this singular inquiry (4-6). In contrast, God fashioned the earth with the same ease with which an individual erects a commonplace structure—the creation of the earth in God's hands was so majestic and magnificent that the heavenly beings rejoiced with loud acclaim (7). Similarly, the Creator’s power and wisdom are evident in His confinement of the ocean depths (8-11) and in the division of light from darkness (12-15). Yet, these depths, as well as the boundaries of light and darkness, are not beyond the reach of human observation (16-20). Common earthly phenomena such as snow, hail, rain, and frost are realms over which mankind has no dominion (21-30), and much less should one expect to govern the motions of constellations and the variations of weather (31-38). Transitioning then to the wonders of creation, which are subtly close to humanity, the Lord highlights the remarkable instincts of animals, indicating to Job that it is solely through His paternal care that predators and birds secure their sustenance (39-41).

The gravitational force at the earth’s center serves as the cornerstone, the strong foundation upon which its lands and oceans rest. Given such extraordinary power and wisdom displayed by the Creator, how unreasonable and sinful it is for humanity to voice dissatisfaction with God’s governance! Is not the divine wisdom evident in the creation of the earth sufficient to maintain harmony among its inhabitants? Job himself recognized that the world is a manifestation of the Lord’s omnipotence and wisdom, often acknowledging this in discussions with his companions, which makes his grievances about God, who permits injustice among humankind, all the more unwarranted.