Job 6:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Even when the devil found no advantage from this (in the temptation brought by the woman, Job 2:9), a group of friends arrived, masking their hostility as concern. They criticized the truthful man, sought to heal his wounds, taking turns to smother him with their presence, endlessly circling around him as if orchestrating a tiring dance.

Job faced opposition from his friends. The chief priests and scribes, who should have been among His supporters and honored Him, stood primarily in opposition to our Lord in the eyes of everyone.

You assail the vulnerable, namely me, as I am left without any human companionship. By targeting me, you provoke the wrath of God, who is known as the Protector of the fatherless (Psalm 67:6). Through your words, you create a trap for your companion, causing even greater harm than if you were to trample him underfoot; you ridicule the very principles of fellowship. Yet, God will hold you accountable for this transgression. For He who urges us to love our neighbor as ourselves also wishes to be recognized as Love.

In a prior work, we reflected on how the blessed Job exemplifies the strength found in humility when he declares, "Yea, ye attack the orphan, and ye seek to overthrow your friend Job" (Job 6:27). This statement reveals Job's perception of his own frailty, as he refers to himself as an 'orphan.' Nevertheless, even amidst suffering, true love perseveres; Job laments his downfall yet affirms his steadfast friendship towards those who oppose him. As has been noted, the words spoken by this wise man, rooted in the Spirit of Prophecy, persist as expressions of faithful believers echoed by the voice of the Universal Church.

Job, overwhelmed by extreme affliction, expressed a wish for the day of his birth to be cursed. Instead of offering him comfort, Eliphaz criticizes him for his lack of patience and questions his integrity, implying he may be harboring sins. In response, Job asserts that if someone were to truly assess his anguish, they would find his grievances to be relatively minor, indicating that he remains exceedingly patient, as there is no burden heavier than what he endures. Simultaneously, he yearns for a swift death to relieve his torment. He mourns the betrayal of his companions who, rather than offering solace, view his suffering as a sign of guilt, believing it an offense against divine justice. Consequently, Job challenges his friends to provide at least some evidence of his wrongdoing or to acknowledge the authenticity of his plight.