Job 7:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is essential to refer to that day as morning, as it is filled with light and dispels the darkness from our existence. You perceive it as a time of rest—not of suffering, but of joy and reward. The one who is currently graced by the presence of God will, at that time, receive his judgment concerning this period of rest. He will be judged alongside the righteous, and again, this is not for suffering, but for joy and reward. He will enter heaven with the righteous, signifying what has been ordained for him and what lies ahead. What will his place be—among the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, or martyrs?

What is humanity, that You hold him in such high regard? And why do You focus Your attention on him? (Job 7:17) The straightforward interpretation of this is that God honors humans by endowing them with the precious gift of intellect, inspiring them with grace, and elevating them through the power given to them. Although, by their own merit, they are insignificant, through His abundant goodness, He enables them to partake in His divine wisdom. The Lord places His attention on the exalted person because once His gifts are received, He then renders judgment, accurately measuring their worth, and carefully evaluating their lives, demanding greater accountability in accordance with the magnitude of the grace they have received.

He acknowledges that human existence on earth involves a continuous battle against hardships and adversities. However, he finds solace for the afflicted in the anticipation of relief from their pain; unlike him, there exists no such expectation. Consequently, he reaches out to God in prayer, pleading for a respite from his anguish and desiring to find peace in death. Overwhelmed by the burden of his suffering, and particularly dreading the thought of ending his life—which he perceives as the most effective way to cease his torment—he implores the Lord to overlook him, as if he were insignificant and to refrain from punishing him for his transgressions. The Hebrew scripture suggests that Job was deeply troubled by the notion of taking his own life, a fate he greatly feared. Furthermore, after voicing his distress over terrifying visions, he implores God to save his soul from death, indicating a desire for deliverance from the despair that threatens him.