Job 7:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He sought to escape the day as one might evade turbulent seas, overwhelmed by unbearable anguish, only to encounter anxiety, storms, hazards, and cliffs, leading him to once again yearn for the waves of daylight. Yearning for what once was, he desired the unattainable, rushing to fill the void created by his afflictions. Thus, he expressed his plight, exclaiming, "When I lie down, I say, When will it be day? When I rise, I ask again: When will it be evening?" Why is this so? In daylight, one naturally longs for night, which brings rest from daily toil. Yet, in the darkness, when there is silence and an opportunity to forget those sorrows and anxieties, why does he again seek the day? Because the night weighs heavier than the day, offering no reprieve from labor, but rather amplifying it, filled with restlessness and turmoil. He articulated this anguish saying, "Thou dost terrify me with dreams and terrify me with visions" (Job 7:14). He was gripped by nightmarish visions and profound dread; what was once meant for rest became for him a multitude of afflictions.

He subsequently declared, "For I will enter into the place of the marvellous Tabernacle, even into the house of God" (Psalm 41:5). The Apostle Paul himself aspired to attain this "shade," expressing a desire to depart and be with Christ (Philippians 1:23). Those who have embraced this longing for the desire of their hearts have already found solace in the exhausting heat of their days (Matthew 20:12). The one termed "desirous" of shade is aptly identified as a "servant," as each of the elect, while weighed down by their mortal condition, remains bound by the yoke of mortality and its demands, much like one struggling under relentless heat. However, when freed from this corruption, one asserts their liberty and tranquility. Hence, as Paul rightly articulated, "the creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, in the liberty of the glory of the children of God" (Romans 8:21). Currently, the elect endure the trials of a corruptible existence, but they will eventually be elevated to an everlasting glory. In the same measure that the burdens of our earthly limitations conceal the manifest freedom of the children of God, the glory of the future will lack any trace of servitude among the servants of God. Thus, the shackles of corruption will be shed, and the dignity of freedom will be bestowed, transforming the creation into the glorious children of God, as it unites with God through the Spirit and triumphs over its earthly nature. The one who has yearned for this "shade" remains a "slave," for while exposed to the temptations of this world, he carries the burdens of a corrupt state, which leads effortlessly to the comparison with the laborer who looks forward to the rewards of his toil.

When the laborer contemplates the task ahead, he can easily become disheartened by the arduous nature and length of the work. Yet, when he recalls the prospect of the reward, his spirits are renewed, and he approaches his labor with a newfound vigor, accepting the heaviness of his duties while viewing them through the lens of recompense. Similarly, whenever the elect encounter the trials of life—be it through slander, material losses, or physical ailments—they feel the weight of their experiences. Yet, by casting their gaze towards the heavenly kingdom, they recognize that their present trials pale in comparison to the promised rewards. What becomes intolerable due to anguish can be borne lightly when viewed in light of the hope of reward. This perspective is echoed in the Apostle Paul’s own assertions regarding resilience in the face of adversity, as he too awaited the culmination of his labors. He acknowledged his burdens were substantial, yet found them light in the context of what awaited him. He painted a vivid picture of the hardships he faced, recounting experiences of imprisonment, torture, and near-death encounters (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Despite his many trials—being beaten, shipwrecked, and facing dangers from every quarter—his spirit remained firm. He articulated the weight of his afflictions, exclaiming that he was pressed down beyond measure (2 Corinthians 1:8). Yet, with the promise of reward, he found solace in the words, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Thus, like a laborer anticipating the reward of his work, he harkens to the significant bounty, considering the toll laboring for this reward a minor burden.

The elect serve the Creator yet often find themselves in need of worldly provisions; they remain steadfast in love for God while experiencing a deficit in the support from this temporal life. Those who seek not the treasures of this world are met with fleeting days filled with vanity. They also endure wearisome nights as they navigate the darkness of hardship, confronting both scarcity and physical suffering. Virtuous souls often find it manageable to transcend their wants; however, when adversity manifests as bodily afflictions, the toll of suffering becomes undeniably felt. It can also be understood that each saint, as a laborer, faces months spent in vanity, enduring hard work while awaiting their ultimate reward—grappling with worldly cares that yield trouble, despite an aspiration for spiritual ascent that may render earthly woes less burdensome.

In a more allegorical interpretation, if these words are viewed through the lens of Holy Church, the nuances become clearer. The Church herself experiences months of vanity as her members engage in earthly endeavors that lead to emptiness, all while she bears manifold tribulations through her strongest members. Life presents challenges that can be difficult, trivial, or a mixture of both. It is indeed challenging to shoulder the sorrows of this life out of love for the Creator; this love adds depth to the trials. Conversely, indulgence in worldly pleasures is hollow yet less challenging. However, to suffer various adversities out of love for this world is a dual hardship, as the soul suffers grief without any compensatory reward. Many within the realm of Holy Church, despite their desire for pleasure, are caught between the void of vanity and the weight of adversity, experiencing both "months of vanity" and "weary nights," with no reward to follow their struggles. Notably, the Church often states she experiences "months" rather than "days" of vanity, indicating a collective representation of trials rather than isolated incidents. Each "month" symbolizes a full measure of days, while "day" delineates specific actions, highlighting the cumulative nature of their vanity. This leads to a paradox where initial labor, driven by hope, often feels worthwhile until its conclusion reveals its futility, causing them to realize they have squandered not just days but months in vain pursuits.

In sacred scripture, "night" can denote ignorance, as the Apostle Paul instructs his disciples, reminding them they are "sons of light" and "sons of day" (1 Thessalonians 5:5), and warns them not to be caught unaware like a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:4). These reflections can be seen in the Church's acknowledgment of believers who, after emerging from ignorance, are drawn back to righteousness and enlightened by truth, cleansing themselves of past wrongs through tearful repentance. Each enlightened individual reflects on the impurities of their prior lives filled with worldly love. Thus, the Church exemplifies those who, in their journey back to spiritual life, mirror the "slave" yearning for shade and the "laborer" anticipating the completion of his work, echoing, "As the servant longs for shade, and as the laborer waits for the reward of his work, so I have received an inheritance of empty days and weary nights allotted to me." This comparison highlights two critical aspects of weariness: the shaded relief sought by the oppressed serves as a reminder that as our desire for the eternal shadow grows, our earthly struggles appear increasingly vain. Meanwhile, the anticipation of reward compels reflection on the time spent previously unaware of the true aspirations that lay ahead.

The original text conveys that Job was troubled by the notion of self-harm, which he deeply dreaded. In one instance, after expressing his distress over terrifying visions, Job beseeches God to rescue his spirit from death, certainly from the despair of suicide.