Job 8:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This perspective holds that such adversity does not only befall the wicked but can also touch the virtuous, and that a righteous individual who withstands trials and tribulations is even more remarkable. Unable to accuse him of wrongdoing, he shifts his focus to his progeny and declares (vv. 8-9):

"Will the Lord be unjust in His judgement, or will the Creator of everything overlook justice? Observe, justice accompanies the Creator," he insists. Even if the words of Wildad may not pertain to Job at all, let us examine his claims. Wildad asserts the profound justice present within creation, the immense order and how everything is appropriately calibrated. Therefore, the One who maintains justice and goodness in all things—could He possibly disregard you? Why then did He bring forth all creation? Was it not for your benefit, O humanity? If He, who fashioned so much for your advantage, has not granted you justice, could the Creator, who made you and all else with goodness, testify to His own might? While justice might often be overlooked due to human frailty, he declares that the Creator made everything. Can One so wise and powerful truly act unjustly?

Conversely, the moment they experience even slight affliction from Above, they quickly crumble under the weight of divine judgment, a judgment they once admired while remaining unharmed. They then reject the fairness of God's justice when it contradicts their desires, displaying words of rebellion. In the face of punishment for their wrongdoings, they may resort to worse actions. Thus, the Psalmist aptly notes regarding the sinner's acknowledgment, "He shall praise thee when thou doest well to him" (Psalms 48:19). During times of prosperity, voices of confession are often disregarded. True acknowledgment holds significant weight only when the force of suffering does not hinder a person from recognizing the truth of justice, and trials only deepen the confirmation expressed by their own words. It is no wonder that Wildad extols God's justice, as he himself does not feel the sting of affliction.

In considering the allegorical interpretation, we have previously noted that Job's friends reflect the nature of heretics. It is important to highlight how Wildad's words align with the deceptive tactics commonly employed by heretics. To bolster their positions, they grow bolder in their misguided teachings as they observe the Holy Church undergoing temporary challenges. They claim success due to their own merits while asserting that the Church suffers deserved punishment. Subsequently, with elaborate rhetoric, they seek to undermine her during her struggles, inflicting harm on some and reproaching others who die, as if their death were a result of failing to present the correct understanding of God. Thus, after acknowledging God's justice, Wildad the Sabhaean proceeds to assert:

Therefore, Job will not be forsaken by the Lord. Baldad contends that Job bears culpability both for himself and for his children. This assertion undermines Job's final source of comfort—the acknowledgment of his righteousness as a father and the belief that his children deserved a better outcome.