Job 7:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

117:1), indicating that those who are not saved by mercy now will face justice after this life ends. Solomon observes, "And if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall remain" (Eccl. 11:3). When a person departs this world, either the Holy Spirit or an evil spirit will claim the soul of that individual, holding it eternally unchanged; thus, the redeemed will not be sent back into distress, nor will the condemned experience redemption once they are cast into eternal damnation. The virtuous gaze upon humanity’s frailties, recognizing how individuals are taken from this life, left without the presence of their Redeemer, and engulfed in unending torment without remedy. With voice raised on their behalf, let them declare, “And the eye of man shall not see me.” For the person whom the Redeemer's grace does not correct now shall not be visited later to prevent destruction. At the time of judgement, the Lord gazes upon the sinner to condemn him, but does not see him to acknowledge him or extend the grace of salvation. He is aware of sinful accounts but is unacquainted with the lives of the lost. Consequently, after the holy man acknowledges that he would no longer be seen by “the eye of man” following his earthly existence, he rightly adds, “Thy eyes are upon me, and I cannot stand” (Job 7:8). It is as though he has articulated plainly, “When Thou comest in the severity of judgement, Thou dost not seem to observe in order to save, yet Thou dost see in order to punish; he whom Thou dost not see now with the mercy of Thy saving care, Thou dost cast a glance at to chastise with the law of Thy justice.” While the sinner disregards the fear of God and continues to live, blaspheming and thriving because the Creator’s mercy refrains from punishing him, the Divine rather seeks to transform him through patience and expectation, as it is written, “And blinks at the sins of men for their repentance” (Prem. 11:23). But when the sinner finally finds himself in the Divine gaze, he “cannot stand.” For in the scrutiny of the stern Judge, the condemned cannot withstand their torment.

This sentiment resonates with the righteous, who remain intensely aware of the forthcoming Judgment. They are perpetually apprehensive about their actions, introspectively assessing their nature and the Judge before whom they will stand. They comprehend the strength of His might and acknowledge the weight of guilt arising from their own shortcomings. They reflect on their wrongful deeds while observing the divine rewards to be given by their Creator. They are acutely aware of the severity with which He judges evil and the meticulous examination He applies to good works. They foresee, without doubt, that they will face ruin if judged without mercy; for even in this present life, which may appear to be lived righteously, sin persists, unless the mercy of God takes it into account when assessing one’s life. As it is written, “Yea, the stars are not clean before his eyes” (Job 25:5). In His exacting judgement, even the seemingly unblemished faces shining with holiness bear the marks of imperfection. Thus, it is aptly stated, “Thy eyes are upon me, and I cannot stand.” It is as if the righteous man had directly declared, “If I were to be judged with precision, I could not bear to face Judgement, for life cannot withstand punishment when it is subjected to the relentless weight of just retribution.” The plight of humanity’s sin and its resultant punishment is aptly summed up in the brief words immediately following this.