Job 5:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is beyond question that Job experiences joy. Even in his time of need, while he endures hunger and is separated from the abundance of the world, he proclaims, "My sighs warn my bread" (Job 3:24). Yet Job does not perish; he upholds the truth of God's word: mankind does not survive on bread alone, but thrives on every utterance that comes from the mouth of the Lord (Deut. 8:3; see also Matt. 4:4).

In times of scarcity, He will save you from death and from the might of the sword in battles, as stated in Job 5:20. The ‘famine’ of the body signifies a lack of sustenance for the flesh, while the famine of the spirit signifies a void in Divine revelation. The prophet rightly proclaimed, "I will send a famine upon the earth, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the word of the Lord" (Amos 8:11). When the sacred connection departs from the human spirit, the flesh grows more formidable in its temptations; thus, it is rightly observed that we are delivered "in war from the power of the sword." We face battles when the temptations of the flesh prevail over us.

It is futile for Job to seek help from someone who is either powerful or holy, for calamity inevitably follows the unrighteous; even if they experience temporary success, they will quickly meet their demise along with their entire household. Indeed, every individual is born into a life of suffering; however, supplication to the Almighty and Just One rescues those who revere God, while only the wicked and deceitful are brought low. Yet the trials endured by the righteous should be embraced with joy, as they serve as a promise of future blessings. This is according to the wisdom gained through experience, Eliphaz concludes, and in light of this, Job should reflect on his own life.