Job 8:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Scriptures utilize the term ‘stones’ to signify humanity, as illustrated in the Holy Church by Isaiah: I will make thy windows of jasper, and thy gates of precious stones (Isaiah 54:12). The prophet clarifies who these stones are by stating, All thy children shall be taught by the Lord (Isaiah 54:13). Peter echoes this in his teaching, instructing that they, as living stones, are to build a spiritual house for themselves (1 Peter 2:5). Therefore, the term ‘stones’ encompasses both the lost and the elect. Thus, this ‘reed’ dwells in the midst of stones, interweaving its roots into the stony array. The hypocrite behaves similarly; they proliferate their thoughts in pursuit of human admiration. Their actions are often underpinned by a desire for the accolades of others; like a reed, they ‘weave their roots into the heap of stones.’ In their actions, they imagine themselves receiving praise, and upon receiving such honor, they dwell on this recognition internally. They take pleasure in being esteemed by others and may secretly marvel at their own accomplishments while yearning to rise even higher in competence. As virtuous habits diminish wrongdoing, so too does praise reinforce their pride. It fosters an inflated mind, leading them to seek witnesses for their actions. If no one is present to witness their deeds, they may inflate the truth of their accomplishments, adding embellishments to enhance their narratives. Even when they recount their true deeds, they detach from their essence, for receiving applause detracts from their inner reward.

By displaying their achievements, they inadvertently signal to malevolent spirits that they are vulnerable to attack. Their lives mirror the sin of King Hezekiah, well-known for his remarkable prayers that defeated an army of 185,000 overnight, for having turned back the shadow of the sun, and for lengthening his life. Despite this, he welcomed envoys from Babylon and showcased his treasures, prompting the prophet to prophesy that all he held dear would be taken to Babylon, and nothing would remain (Isaiah 39:6). Similarly, hypocrites, after reaching great heights, become negligent in guarding their virtues against malicious spirits; by revealing their good works, they relinquish their hidden treasures to the enemy. In doing so, they forfeit all they have labored for over time. Hence, the Psalmist proclaims, And He gave their strength into captivity, and their glory into the hands of the adversary (Psalm 77:61). The ‘strength’ and ‘glory’ that presumptuous people possess become prey to their adversary, as every virtuous act motivated by a desire for recognition is forfeited to the hidden enemy. Those who expose their treasures diminish their own security in the Eternal. While traveling through life, they risk losing their virtuous achievements; thus, those who pursue men's praise ultimately squander the fruits of their labor. Their evil spirits spur them on through vanity, leaving them exposed and vulnerable. The Truth, through the prophet, reveals the malice of our previous adversaries, declaring: He hath laid waste my vineyard, and hath broken my fig tree (Joel 1:7). The spirits that lurk in God's vineyard come to strip it bare, targeting the soul entangled by the desire for human praise. By flaunting their virtues, people remove their protective covering of humility, leaving their inner self exposed. The breadth of deeds is newly visible, bereft of its initial modesty. Thus, when the mind seeks others’ acknowledgment for good deeds, it becomes like a ‘fig tree stripped bare,’ losing its protective bark. This is why, as the essence of these actions seeks visibility, they become lifeless and neglected. The mind that presents its deeds with arrogance becomes like a ‘peeled fig tree’—perceived as splendid to the eyes of others while simultaneously withering under the sun's gaze, devoid of its humbling cover. Therefore, our actions should remain concealed if we hope for the true reward from the Judge. This aligns with the Truth's teaching in the Gospel: but when you do charitable deeds, let your left hand not know what your right hand is doing, so that your acts of kindness may be kept in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly (Matthew 6:3-4). The Psalmist likewise reflects the Church's true inner glory, stating: All glory to the daughter of the King within (Psalm 44:14). In turn, the Apostle Paul expresses, Our glory is the testimony of our conscience (2 Corinthians 1:12). The daughter of the King symbolizes the Church, generated through noble preaching of spiritual leaders. Yet, her glory is internal; all her actions seek not external acclaim but strive for authentic service to the Creator. Paul emphasizes her ‘glory’ as the ‘testimony of her conscience’ because she pursues not the empty praise of those external to her, seeking no fulfillment from outside sources.

Thus, our deeds should remain hidden, for exposing them carelessly to the world may lead us to loose them entirely, vulnerable to spiritual predation. The Truth, however, acknowledges, Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). It is crucial to differentiate between actions intended to honor the Creator and those rooted in the pursuit of self-glorification from His gifts. Hence, the Gospel further instructs, Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men to be seen by them (Matthew 6:1). Therefore, when we reveal our actions to others, it’s vital to examine our true motives at the heart's core. Should our intention be to highlight the Giver’s glory, even recognized deeds remain sheltered in His sight. Conversely, if we seek personal accolades through our actions, they are soon rendered invisible in His sight, regardless of how widely others may know of them. Only those genuinely striving towards perfection can seek the glory of their Creator through manifest actions, doing so in a manner that remains untainted by self-promotion upon receiving praise. Praiseworthy deeds shine brightly when the allure of human recognition is genuinely disregarded. For when individuals, through weakness, fall short of holding that recognition in contempt, they risk overlooking the good they have performed. Often, in revealing their accomplishments, they inadvertently invite judgment, confusing their aims. Alongside, they may intend to honor their Creator through their deeds, yet in receiving admiration, they find themselves consumed by self-interest. Unless they hold themselves accountable internally, they risk becoming lost externally in their pride, mistaking their efforts as a service to the Giver. Thus, ‘the reed dwells among the stones,’ representing the hypocrite who establishes their ambitions in pursuit of public honor, building their dwelling among the stones. The very hypocrite, while appearing virtuous—practicing abstinence, sacrificing possessions, and charity, mastering the sacred law and preaching the Word—may appear adorned with grace. However, this individual lacks true reward, enjoying the laborer's rewards while refusing to partake in the laborer's life. When divine gifts manifest as sources of personal praise, they are clouded by the trajectory of pride. Such distinctions are vital.

Therefore, Job will not be forsaken by the Lord. According to Baldad, Job bears guilt on two fronts: for his own actions and those of his children. This notion undermines Job's final source of solace—the awareness that he was a good father who raised his children well and that they deserved a better outcome.