THE IMPORTANCE OF THE THREE LONG DEBATES For a long time, I kept wondering: What is the importance of the three long debates between ‘Job’ and his friends. Would it not be enough, for the Holy Book to give us a concise summary of these debates, to reveal the bitterness of Job’s soul, because of the lack of love in his friends’ hearts toward him, and of their complete disregard of the inner feelings of their suffering friend? But, by a close study of this book, I realized the important role of this debate, as far as my relationship with God and with his suffering subjects are concerned; And how it reveals the relationship of the church with the heretics opposing her; who claiming wisdom, accuse the church of being literal and dry. In the first part of this book, we stopped at the start of the second debate, by Eliphaz, who was the most aggressive of the three friends in the first debate. Now, we pray to the Lord to grant us the blessing of studying the rest of the second debate; then the third ... We beseech Him to flare the hearts of all mankind to enjoy the word of God; to lift our hearts up to experience His heavenly love; and to partake of the sufferings of our brethren. Amen. 3 CHAPTER 16 A LAMENTATION TOGETHER WITH HOPE FOR A MEDIATOR Job’s response to Eliphaz (Chapters 16-17), in the second round of their debate, came to show, that he is fed up of the ridiculous position of his friends, who in his sight, are troublesome comforters; and that he looks with detest on their words, which they repeat for no reason; on their stubbornness; and on their lack of consideration of his circumstances. He confirms that, if he is in their place, he would surely support them, and utter what would make their burden lighter for them. ‘Job’ talks with bitterness about God, who, all of a sudden, has sent those tribulations on him, while he was living his life at ease. He thinks that God has, Himself, become an adversary against him, “has shattered him, has taken him by the neck, and shaken him to pieces” (Job 16: 12). ‘Job’ says, that he still have no explanation for the reason behind all the blows that God brought upon his body, that caused it to rot, and to become a rejected castaway; which is taken by his friends, as a testimony to his guilt. However, although he is sure that God has forsaken him, “has delivered him to the ungodly, and has turned him over to the hands of the wicked” (Job 16: 11); Yet, he clothes himself with the (sackcloth) of humility and grief, despite his failure to see what is the sin he has committed, that warrants his miserable situation (Job 16: 15-16). Holding fast to his claim of innocence, ‘Job’ resorts to God to reveal to him His goal of those chastisements, and to clarify what perplexes the mind and conscience of his suffering subject. He is as though, resorting to God from God; From God who is hidden, to God who is “Light with no darkness in Him”; He resorts to Him with the spirit of faith and hope in His work of salvation. Amid all his feelings of bitterness toward his friends, who intend to destroy his person completely; and are for him hopeless comforters; And his looking up to God, who allowed for him to bear that cruel stand of his friends, on top of all those tribulations; that led him to consider God as a Warrior against him; Yet he did not blaspheme, nor denied Him; as Satan hoped to see him do. ‘Job’ realized that, there is no way to escape from God, except to resort to Him! By that, a light ray of the Messianic work was revealed to him: That there is no resort from falling under the divine wrath, and the divine justice, except by the appearance of the incarnate Word of God Himself, So that by His cross, He would embrace him, as an eternal secure resort. Job’s perplexity turned into recognition of the divine evangelic Truth, through the shadows; So that the Sun of Righteousness would shine on those sitting in the darkness; and that the believers would enjoy the eternal glory. ‘Job’ has become convinced that his only chance to get comfort, is to depart from the world, with a spirit of faith and hope in the salvation work of God. By that, he has overcome Satan, who expected to hear him blaspheme and deny God; and heard him instead, resorting to God, as his only source of comfort. ‘Job’, a symbol of the suffering Christ; an atoning Mediator and Intercessor: Responding to Eliphaz, in a sorrowful language, ‘Job’ presents in his lamentation of his situation, such magnificent prophecies about the suffering Christ, as an atoning Mediator and Intercessor; that has preoccupied the minds of the fathers of the church in their interpretations of this chapter; In particular, Father Hesychius of 4 Jerusalem, and Pope Gregory the Great, who was fond of the writings of the Eastern fathers; and used the Greek Septuagint version (LXX) of the Old Testament, together with the Volgata. 1- ‘Job’ rebukes his friends for their cruelty 1 – 5 2- ‘Job’ laments his situation 6 – 16 3- ‘Job’ resorts to the just God 17 – 21 4- Passing away from the world 22 1- ‘JOB’ REBUKES HIS FRIENDS FOR THEIR CRUELTY: “Then ‘Job’ answered and said: ‘I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters are you all!” (Job 16: 1, 2). The debate became so painfully violent, that ‘Job’ got so fed up, listening to his friends, to cry out calling them “miserable comforters’. The wise Solomon says: “The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts” (Proverbs 17: 14). Even if they happen to say some words of comfort, they are still painful; coming from hearts that do not partake of his sufferings; and of his feelings; according to the words of the wise Solomon: “They sing songs to a heavy heart” (Proverbs 25: 20). In an introduction by Father Hesychius of Jerusalem, came a magnificent talk about Job’s perseverance (patience), and longsuffering, especially in confronting his adversary and mocking friends. Through reasoning and deep thinking, one can discover that Perseverance is the basis of all virtues. Through it, Abraham became a father of many nations (Genesis 17: 5; Sirach 44: 20; Romans 4: 17); and was called “a friend of God” (James 2: 23). By perseverance, Isaac, a symbol of the only-begotten Son, became a sacrifice (Genesis 22: 2). And also by perseverance, Jacob carried a staff, in the likeness of a cross (Genesis 32: 10; Hebrew 11: 21); And, although he fled (Genesis 27: 34), perseverance brought him back very rich (Genesis 32: 22-23). By such perseverance, ‘Job’ strived, and carried the banner of conquest; despite the number and the high authority of his adversaries; Although he was completely naked, he seemed as though, strongly armed before his opponents. And although he was cast on the ground, with demon-like adversaries swarming around him in the air (Ephesians 2: 2); and with those who reviled him wearing crimson, while he wore painful sores; Yet the he was counted with splendor by the heavenly hosts. He was glorified by the poor; ministered by the rich; and all generations concentrated their sight on his person, as a reflection of righteousness. Do you like to learn from the strong perseverance of ‘Job’: There were three friends reviling him; physically sound, and full of vigor because of their temporal blessings? They kept on talking successively, one after the other; every one of them in turn, taking a chance of rest. As for ‘Job’, although he was alone, his body covered with sores and his soul with bitterness and grief. Yet, with his perseverance, he managed to overcome his strong opponents, and with his patience, to put out their flaring nonsense. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem 5 The church often quotes the words of the Psalmist David, saying: “The plowers plowed on my back” (Psalm 129: 3). Seeing how his friend Eliphaz consistently charging him with hypocrisy, the righteous ‘Job’, although crushed by the bitterness of his criticism; Yet, he demonstrated to him, how a miserable comforter he is. By his perseverance, he became a symbol of the church that generally and all the time, bears with perseverance such criticism from heretics of every kind. With such response, ‘Job’ refers to the era of the church, which seems, under the consistent pressure of her Adversaries of temporary authority, as though cast to the ground. They are all “miserable comforters”, whether they are heretics or wicked; who, intending to comfort her, they arouse wrong issues, out of their own minds. Pope Gregory the Great Drink mockery, voluntarily and readily; as though you drink the water of life Drink it from anyone whoever he is; as though he intends to offers you a healing medication. Then, on you, a divine ray of deep purity would shine in your soul; never to be quenched1. St. John El-Dargy “Shall words of wind have an end, or what provokes you that you keep on talking?” (Job 16: 3). ‘Job’ felt that they are going around in a vicious circle; with nothing more than windy words of no apparent goal, and of no benefit. He probably counted their talk as one of the many tribulations that dwelt upon him, if not more intense than all of them. He felt that his friends are provoking on him without cause, and doing him wrong without any benefit to them. “Shall words of wind have no end?’” They are indeed words of wind, that may serve temporary boasting, but no righteousness. Pope Gregory the Great Losing the true love, man’s heart suffers from void; would not practice faithful friendship; but would walk in complete negativism; disregarding the suffering of his friends; or looking for excuses to charge them with evil. Instead of comforting them, he ridicules their persons and their behavior. So were Job’s friends, in their silence, as well as in their words! Lack of love, denies man the ability of sanctifying the two gifts of silence and talk. If he keeps silent, his silence would not bear love, but a disregard to those around him; and if he talks, he utters vanity, destroying his own soul, and those of others. The Holy Book warns us against vain and windy talk, as well against vain silence; That when we are sanctified, our silence and our talk would both be sanctified; That there would be time for talk, and time for silence; and both of them would work for the edification of man, for the comfort of his brethren, and for the glory of God. “Like music in time of mourning is ill-timed conversation” (Sirach 22: 6). “When words are many, transgression is not lacking” (Proverbs 10: 19). “Fools talk on and on. No one knows what is to happen, and who can tell anyone what the future holds” (Eccles 10: 14). “Whoever talks too much is detested, and whoever pretends to authority is hated” (Sirach 20: 8). . 1 إیبارشیة شبه جزیرة سیناء: السلم إلى الله، درجة 99:4 6 “Do not accustom your mouth to coarse, foul language, for it involves sinful speech” (Sirach 23: 17). “Honor and dishonor come from speaking, and the tongue of mortals may be their downfall” (Sirach 5: 15) “The wise person advances himself by his words, and one who is sensible pleases the great” (Sirach 20: 29) “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16: 24) “Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment; and do not hide your wisdom” (Sirach 4: 28) “Do not talk much with a senseless person, or visit an unintelligent person” (Sirach 22: 14) A sensible man seeks to please God, be silent more often; and if he talks he does not talk much; He utters only what is necessary, and what pleases God1. In silence you see your mind; But when you use your mind, you are talking within yourself; As in silence the mind delivers the word; And the word of thanks presented to God, is the salvation of man2. Whoever talks foolish, has no brain, talking without taking everything into consideration. That is why; examine everything for the sake of doing what is for your own salvation3. St. Anthony the Great No mind can ever avoid the natural development of things, unless he gets out of the circle of his ‘ego’, and have in himself a place for silence, which is more exalted than thought4. The mind cannot keep silent, unless the body does. And the wall that separates them could not be broken down, except by silence and prayer5. St. Mark the hermit In a message by Mar. Filoxinus to the Amidian monks, written from his exile, provoking them to strive for the sake of the upright faith, and to refrain from keeping silent in testifying to the truth, he says: [A monk who does not proclaim his faith is a hypocrite, and does not know God. A monk who is too shy to show zeal before someone with authority, does not know Christ. A monk who changes his color, and goes along with everyone, is a hypocrite who puts on the face of the devil. A monk who is clothed with Christ, yet keeps silent concerning the truth, his garment is the leprosy of ‘Gehazi’. A monk who lacks grace and keeps silent concerning faith; will have his mouth shut up on the day of judgment, like that of the Legion demons]. 170 1 نصًا عن حیاة القداسة، 33 (الفیلوكالیا). 170 2 نصًا عن حیاة القداسة، 107 (الفیلوكالیا). 170 3 نصًا عن حیاة القداسة، 108 (الفیلوكالیا). 4 توجیهات منتخبة عن أحادیثه الأخرى، 81 (الفیلوكالیا). 226 5 نصًا إلى أولئك الذین یظنون أنهم بأعمالهم (الذاتیة) یتبررون، 31 (الفیلوكالیا). 7 “I also could speak as you do, If your soul were in my soul’s place. I could heap up words against you, and shake my head against you” (Job 16: 4). What does ‘Job’ mean by these words? Does he bear hatred and animosity against them; And in the bitterness of his soul, is asking God to let them suffer like he does; so that he would have the chance of taking from them the position of a comforter?! Does he desire to ridicule them, and to shake his head against them, the way they are doing to him? ; As shaking the head in the East is a sign of scorn (Isaiah 37: 22; Jeremiah 18: 16; Matthew 27: 39). Pope Gregory the great believes that what ‘Job’ is saying here is a prayer, that comes from a loving man, who knows that they would never learn the practical love, except by entering into the experience of affliction and temptations. His intention is not their destruction, as much as, through affliction, their hearts and their inner depths would probably be reformed. As to heaping up vain words, and ridiculing them by shaking his head, that is far from his nature to do, nor what he later actually did, when they ultimately came back to seek his prayers and to ask him to offer sacrifices on their behalf. What he says here is intended to rebuke, to provoke them to reconsider their position, and to make them realize that they are uttering windy words, and ridiculing a suffering man. It is as though he is saying to them: [You should do what you wish others to do to you]. And as ‘Job’ represents a symbol of the suffering church; In her desire for the salvation of the wicked, she asks God to use his rod for chastisement and not for revenge; to let them learn from outer grief, how to enjoy the inner love. He says: ‘Oh, I wish that your souls are in my soul’s place; that I would comfort you with words, coming out of my lips’. As sometimes, it is necessary for the evil minds, unable to benefit from the preaching of someone, to be stricken by God. That is what the preacher ‘Job’, in his compassion toward them, seeks from God, not to punish, as much as to reform them. What he says is actually a prayer for their sake, and not a curse against them. The goal of the blessed ‘Job’, in these words, appear to be, that his friends who did not know how to sympathize with him with love in his grief, need to learn through experience, how to be compassionate in such situations; By which, when they realize more about the outer weakness, they would live in a better inner condition. Now, we comfort the wicked when they fall under the rod, when we shake our heads in compassion toward them, and support them amid the strikes of tribulations, by relieving their grief by nice words. Pope Gregory the Great It is befitting for the church – compassionate to everyone –to practice rebuke occasionally; and to seek from the Lord, the chastisement of the fallen, for the sake of their salvation, and not of their perdition. God endures all the weaknesses of men; Yet He would not allow for those who perpetually murmur to go without chastisement1. A friend who rebukes another in secret, is a wise physician; but he who does it publicly before the eyes of many, is actually a reviler. A righteous man follows the 1 Ascetical Homilies, 48. 8 lead of the Lord in not chastening man for the sake of avenging his evil, but of reforming him for the benefit of others1. St. (Mar) Isaac, the Syrian “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6: 23) “Whoever loves instruction, loves knowledge; But he who hates reproof is stupid” (Proverbs 12: 1) “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction; But he who regards reproof will be honored” (Proverbs 13: 18). “A fool despises his father’s instructions; but he who receives reproof is prudent” (Proverbs 15: 5) “The ear that hears the reproof of life will abide among the wise” (Proverbs 15: 31) “He who disdains instruction despises his own soul” (Proverbs 15: 32). “Open rebuke is better than than love carefully concealed” (Proverbs 27: 5) “The rod and reproof gibe wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29: 15) “Those who hate reproof walk in the sinner’s steps, but those who fear the Lord repent in their heart” (Sirach 21: 6) “The sinner will shun reproof, and will find a decision according to his liking” (Sirach 32: 17). “But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief” (Job 16: 5). Frankly, ‘Job’ spoke to his friends, saying, that even on the normal social level, they have not kept the simplest basis of friendship. And that, if the roles are reversed, he would do to them what they did to him; namely, giving comfort by the mouth and the tongue, and uttering words of wisdom, without partaking of the true feelings. He, as though, suggests to them to exchange positions with him, even for a short while, to feel the impact of the arrows they aimed toward him by their windy words of comfort. They should have mended his broken bones by gentle words and loving hearts; instead of breaking them by their cruelty; according to the words of the prophet Isaiah: “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary” (Isaiah 50: 4). He who collapses and becomes very sick is in need of the ointment of a physician to soothe his wounds; and not to sharp words that may worsen his condition. 2- ‘JOB’ LAMENTS HIS SITUATION: I have already referred that Job’s lamentation of his situation, bears magnificent prophecies about the suffering Lord Christ, as an atoning Mediator and Intercessor on our behalf before God the Father. And at the same time, he represents the suffering church, partaking of the passion and cross of her Christ, by those from outside; as well as by the heretics, the adversaries of the divine Truth. “Though I speak, my grief is not relieved; and though I remain silent, how am I eased?” (Job 16: 6) ‘Job’ is perplexed: If he speaks, what would be the benefit of his words with such people who are cruelly inconsiderate of his feelings; and if he remains silent, would silence ease the bitterness of his soul?! If he pours his complaints, he would be 1 Ascetical Homilies, 48. 9 misunderstood and accused of murmuring; that would add to his grief. And if he remains silent, he would be accused of being overly depressed. If he defends himself, they would count him as holding fast to self-righteousness; and if he remains silent, they count him as an evil man, who is worthy of greater chastisement! He who is serious in his life, and seeks the salvation of his soul, would benefit from the words of the holy men of God, as well as from their silence. If they speak, he would receive their words with the Spirit of God for the sake of his own edification; and if they remain silent, he would try to get in touch with their inner meditation, and their enjoyment of the heavenly life. … Whereas he who is licentiously consistent on rejecting the truth and the eternal life; would be offended by the words of the righteous, as well as by their silence ‘Job’ has portrays the position of the Lord Christ; who, when he spoke the divine Truth, was accused of blasphemy (Matthew 26: 65); and when He remained silent on the cross, they said: “He saved others, but Himself He cannot save” (Matthew 27: 42). His soul was sorrowful even to death; not because of His passion, but because of the bitterness of the sin He carried on our behalf, to put it to death by His own death. If the soul of the Lord Christ is sorrowful; the church, His bride, would have to keep on moaning all the days of her sojourn on earth, until the elect complement their strife, and the believers enjoy the fellowship of the glories of the ultimate coming of the Lord. “what should I do? If I speak my grief is not relieved; and If I endure (in silence), I would not be eased” … These words, no doubt apply to the righteous ‘job’; As far as the catholic church is concerned, when she speaks, her grief is not relieved; seeing that the wicked are not reformed by her words; And if she remains silent, her very position of silence would make her more sorrowful, seeing that the sin of the wicked is haughtily increasing. Pope Gregory the Great For you, persecution is for your own benefit; as your love for the cross is rich in you; … Sufferings are dear to you; as the fire of love of Him who sent His fire on the earth (Luke 12: 49), is kindled in you; Your strife is amazing; because your persecutors are vicious; … Your battle is marvelous; because your enemies are strong. If it was the heathens who persecute you, your passion would be more endurable; but it is the Jews, the enemies of the cross, who join forces against you. Your passions are more exalted than any other passion; and your crown shines more than any other crown. How beautiful is he whose passions are great? The beauty of the crown is greater, the greater is the affliction. The Spirit of comfort, who makes you wise, knows how to tell you 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). The affliction of such a short duration, would bring you nearer to keep the limitless perpetual life; And when you die to this world, you reveal by death, the life with Christ. Who would not wish to gain the eternal life, through the afflictions of the present time? The world will eventually be dissolved, and its beauty will wither; It will forsake its riches, will lose its authority and honor, and will cast away its splendor; Its life will come to an end, will scatter like flowers, will escape like a shadow, will roll 10 like a wheel; And together with it, everything will pass away, whether it is comfort or suffering; honor, or dishonor; All its attributes will stick to it; its afflictions would not last long, and its comfort would prove to be fake1. St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi “But now He has worn me out; You have made desolate all my company” (Job 16: 7). Feeling how untruthful the intention of his friend was; and being sure that what dwelt upon him was allowed by God, he became weary and perplexed. He became weary for his inability to take the sound decision: whether to speak or to remain silent?! Weary of his friends, and of his own life. But what added to his grief, was that his entire household: his children and his servants have all died; his aids were scattered; and his friends have turned into adversaries, gloating for his tribulation. “You have shriveled me up, and it is a witness against me; my leanness rises up against me, and bears witness to my face’ (Job 16: 8). Some fathers believe that ‘Job’ as a symbol of the Lord Christ, believe that all what dwelt upon him, are but shadows of what will dwell upon the lord Christ. If they have gathered around ‘Job’ to destroy him, the host of darkness joined forces against the lord Christ, arrested Him and crucified Him; and unfortunately, it was one of His disciples who delivered Him to His enemies. ‘Job’ became as though caught in bitter captivity; became pitifully lean; as his flesh was worn out because of the wounds and sores that covered all his body. His leanness was proclaimed by the looks of his countenance; Wrinkles filled his face, not because of old age, but because of severe sickness; testifying that his complaints were not coming from void. ‘Job’ proved to acquire great gain through the attack of his adversary (Satan); who did not know that ‘Job’ would be crowned by the same ways he meant to deceive him. That is why ‘Job’ says; “You have shriveled me up; and it is a witness against me” (Job 16: 8). The adversary did not only shrivel ‘Job’ of his possessions, his sons, and his daughters; but he shriveled his person as well; took hold of, and wrestled with him. That was a testimony against the righteous ‘Job’, elaborately used by his enemies. And after a little while, God presented these thoughts to ‘Job’, saying: Do you think I should talk to you differently? … I shall reveal your righteousness; and will show you off as the bearer of God. In all those circumstances, those evils also bore witness to the righteousness of ‘Job’. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem What happened to ‘Job’ as a symbol was realized in the Person of the lord Christ; and what happened to the Lord Christ, has opened the door for His church to partake of His passion and His cross. While Judas, the traitor, delivered his Master, As far as the church is concerned, the anti-Christ, the liar, will keep on attacking her in secret, until, at the end of time, he will publicly oppose her in her face. It is a perpetual war between the Son of God and the devil; or between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. In the days of the Lord Christ, its ugly face showed up in the traitor Judas who took the side of the adversaries. And after the ascension of the Lord Christ to heaven, the numerous enemies of Christ will keep on 1 الرسالة الثامنة عشر إلى الحمیریین بنج ا رن ا رجع ترجمة دكتور بهنام سوني. 11 opposing her, until the public appearance of the anti-Christ, in a decisive and a bitter battle. “My leanness (vanity) rises up against Me”. Here, ‘Job’ speaks about Judas, who was a disciple and an apostle of Christ (Luke 14: 26, 27, 33); but was found a liar (vain - John 12: 6), and a traitor (Luke 6: 16). “Bears witness (challenges) to my face”. When I said to my disciples: “I say to you, one of you will betray me” (John 13: 21); he dared to say to Me in My face: “Rabbi, Is it I?” (Matthew 26: 25). Father Hesychius of Jerusalem Satan, our adversary and enemy, will fight to keep us in his hand. Who could escape from him? It is He, who comprehend what is said concerning the poor and needy, that “The Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble” (Psalm 41: 1) 1. St. Jerome The enemy will not make a public war against us; but he will try to captivate us through deceit and indirect tricks. He would not put his temptations exposed before our eyes. He, for instance, would not publicly recommend the worship of idols; but, through his deceitful ways, and crafty seductive words he would present the opportunities for it2. St. John Chrysostom In regular battles, the leaders would not arm women, children, or elders; whereas our Leader, the Lord Christ, would distribute that royal weapon; namely, acquiring Christ Himself, equally among all, to let everyone know about the crafty tricks of the devil3. Father Theodoret Every single episode of the Old Testament includes a kind of conquest over the spiritual hosts of Satan4. The scholar Origen “The liar opposed me in my face” 5. Even at the time of peace, the holy church faces the attack of the liar; as many, who vainly claim to be believers, deny the promise of eternal life. Unable to oppose her preaching publicly, the liar attacks her from the rear, rather than in the face; Until the time of evil comes (the days of the anti- Christ), when he, who despises the church, will stand, publicly and directly in her face, openly using words he quotes from the true faith. Yet, we should realize, that while confronting such cruel things on the hands of our fellow humans; they are still not as cruel as the evil spirit that prevails on their minds; according to the words of the apostle Paul who says: “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age” (Ephesians 6: 12). Pope Gregory the Great The great Savior was scourged, and by an order of the ruler, he was taken out to be crucified. 1 Epistle to the Ephesians 3:6:13. 2 Epistle to the Ephesians 2:2:6:11. 3 Epistle to the Ephesians 6:11. 4 Epistle to the Ephesians (on 6:12). 5 التزمت بالنصوص الواردة في كتابات البابا غریغوریوس كما هي. 12 He came to His own; but His own did not receive Him; they mockingly sent him away to die together with the transgressors. Judas, His betrayer, the lamp that was extinguished, was later remorseful and ashamed of what he did; despising himself, he brought back the silver he took, and confessed that he betrayed innocent blood. The chief priests and the elders rebuffed him and replied: “What is that to us? That’s your responsibility” The precious blood brought terror on those who shed it; they were shaken and trembled with fear. St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi “He tears me in His wrath, and hates me; He gnashes at me with His teeth; My adversary sharpens His gaze on me” (Job 16: 9). Who is this enemy who tears him in His wrath? Is he Eliphaz or one of his fellows, who unjustly crushed him with their charges? Or is he Satan, who, finding no rest in seeing someone truly worship God, would provoke his wicked hosts against him? Some believe, that, in his weakness, ‘Job’ sees that his enemy is God Himself, who allowed for him, for no apparent reasons, to face such horrible temptations. If “A king’s wrath is a messenger of death” (Proverbs 16: 14); How would be that of the King of kings? But, from the context, it is obvious that ‘Job’ did not mean it that way. “He directed his wrath against me; threatened me; gnashed at me with his teeth; My adversary sharpens his gaze on me” (Job 16: 9 LXX). Because the wrath he embraces against the holy church is scattered; Satan works through what he puts in the hearts of his followers, committed to him. His “teeth’ are these persecutors and executioners against the righteous; who torture the members of the church by temptations. Whereas his “eyes” are those who design the plans and give the counsel for harming her. when he hunts, through the cruel children of perdition, the life of her righteous members; And sharpens his horrible “gaze” on her through the counsel of the wicked, and the endless plans he designs to keep on torturing her more and more. The incarnate Truth (the Lord Christ), for preaching His message, chose poor and simple commoners; The apostatized angel, on the other hand, that cursed anti-Christ, at the end of the world, to preach his vanity, will choose the crafty and those with distorted minds, who possess the knowledge of this world. Pope Gregory the Great Notice how the Jewish nation was a harlot! How she despised her Father and hated Him in Sinai; and when His Son incarnated, she took hold of Him, hanged Him on the cross, and stood dancing, laughing, and reviling. Come, Moses, See what the bride you brought from Egypt is doing to her pure Groom! Come and see the banquet she set before Him; how she brought the myrrh, mixed the vinegar. How, instead of manna, she gave Him vinegar; and instead of the bitter water, that he made sweet for her, she put the myrrh in it for Him. Come and see, how the elect vine, produced bad grapes! St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi “They gape at me with their mouth, They strike me reproachfully on the cheek, They gather together against me” (Job 16: 10). 13 About the Lord Christ, against whom, the hosts of evil also gathered together; the same words were prophesied: “They gape at me with their mouth” (Psalm 22: 13); and: “They will strike the Judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek” (Micah 5: 1). And all those prophecies were literally realized (Matthew 26: 27). “They struck me on the cheek; they consummated my reproach” 1 (10) … The same way, the wicked keep on striking the holy church on the cheek, when they persecute her good preachers. Those lost souls assume that they are doing something great, when they put an end to their life. After saying: “They strike me on the cheek”, it is befitting to add: “They consummated my reproach”, as these reproaches consummate their fulfillment, through chastening the mind of the church by their own ways. Pope Gregory the Great They blindfolded His eyes, struck Him on the face, and said: ‘Prophesy to us, who is the one who struck You’ When they struck the highly raised head, the angels were terrified! They tried to eclipse the Sun of righteousness, lest it shines and reveals their corruption to the whole world. The bride blindfolded the eyes of the Groom, lest He sees her corruption and harlotry. They blindfolded the eyes of the Physician, lest He bandages their wounds and heal them. Look how Christ endured those transgressors! How He endured that ignorant who spat in His face! How did you dare, O cursed tongue, to throw that spit?! How could you, O earth, watch ridiculing the divine Son?! That happened for Adam’s sake, the transgressor, who was worthy to be spat on; But in his place, the Lord delivered His face to receive spitting; According to His promise in Isaiah; not to hide His face from the shame of spitting! The Lord, compassionate on the weakness of His servant (Adam), received the shame in his place! St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi “God has delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over to the hands of the wicked” (Job 16: 11). The wicked could never have the power over the lord Christ; But, having taken upon Himself to become a sacrifice of iniquity for the world, for His love of mankind; And in obedience to His Father, the Philanthropic; They were given that power from above (John 19: 11). That was how the righteous ‘Job’ felt: Counting all his life in the hands of the Lord; and even what the wicked do to him are allowed by God, He says: “God has delivered me to the ungodly” (11); With that same spirit, David counted Shimei’s curses on him as being allowed by God (2 Samuel 16: 5-13). God allows, even the ungodly, with a complete enjoyment of their freedom, to become His sword against their ungodly fellow brethren, or for the chastening God’s own children to justify them (Isaiah 10: 5). 1 التزمت بالنصوص الواردة في كتابات البابا غریغوریوس كما هي. 14 When ‘Job’ says that this is allowed by “God”, it is obvious that he means “God, the Father”, because the “the only-begotten Son” would be submitted to those ‘passions’; not only through His full free will, but also in accordance with that of His Father, as the will of the Father and the Son is one and the same; Intending to consummate His amazing work for our sake, and to suffer for the sake of our salvation. Well, let us now compare what ‘Job’ says with the words of the Savior: “God has delivered me to the ungodly”; namely to ‘Caiaphas’, the high priest, who questioned Him, saying: “I adjure You by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 26: 63). To this, he got a response that he did not deserve; Yet, because He adjured Him, He answered him: “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26: 64); to which Caiaphas tore his clothes, as though he heard a blasphemy! “And turned Me over to the hands of the wicked” (11). Namely, to the hands of Caiaphas and the other Jewish rulers. How could they not be wicked, those who cried out to Pilate, saying: “away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas – who had been thrown into prison for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder” (Luke 23: 18, 19). Father Hesychius of Jerusalem “I was at ease, but he has shattered me; He has also taken me by the neck, and shaken me to pieces” (Job 16: 12). Before the temptation, ‘Job’ was at ease, enjoying God’s temporal goods; But in the middle of it, he felt that what is dwelling on him is not haphazard; but it is as though God has shattered him, and has taken him by the neck; like a father holding his son in anger; As though He has chosen him from among all men to set him as a target, at which to aim His arrows! “I was at ease, but He has shattered me; He has taken hold of my (hair) and has taken it out” (LXX). It could be truly said that the Lord Christ calls His apostles ‘His hair’, being the adornment of the head. When He was with them, they were at ease; but once they left Him and fled away because of the persecution, they were shattered (scattered). The Lord Christ said to His disciples: “All of you will be made to stumble because of me this night” (Matthew 26: 31) …; then added: “for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered’” (Matthew 26: 31; Zechariah 13:17). Pope Gregory the Great We marvel, when we look at the Victorious, the Son of the free, standing in His trial, and smitten on His cheek! At the Sun, embracing the pillar (to which the Lord was tied to be scourged)! At the fire being scourged (Matthew 27: 26)! At the Light detested by the darkness (John 8: 12; 1: 5)! At the God of Gabriel, whom Caiaphas’ servant struck with the palm of his hand (John 18: 22)! At the young Lion, bit by the little lowly jackals (Hosea 5: 14)! At the Fearsome above the Cherubim, hanged on the tree of the cross! At Him, who grants the glory to the lilies of the field, and the beautiful assortment of colors to the flowers (Matthew 6: 28), hanged naked in shame! 15 At Him, who planted the paradise, given the vinegar and myrrh to drink (genesis 2; 8; Matthew 27: 34)! At the Flame, pierced in His side with a spear! At Him, who crowned the sun with rays, crowned with a crown of thorns (Matthew 27: 29) 1! St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi “His archers surround me; they pierce my (kidneys), with no pity; they pour out my gall on the ground” (Job 16: 13). ‘Job’ counted those who contributed in the dwelling of his tribulations, as archers commanded by God to aim their arrows at him; so accurately aimed, to pierce his kidneys with no pity! “They poured my gall on the ground”; the same way the hunter of a wild animal, after slaying it, detestably pours its gall on the ground! “He breaks me with wound upon wound; He runs at me like a warrior” (Job 16: 14). ‘Job’ was not struck just once, but successively, wound upon wound; He neither instantly died, nor had the chance to take his breath between one strike and the next; expecting all the time to get more and more; with no hope of an end to his calamity. He probably felt God running at him like a warrior; And doing to him like what the cruel kings of the old times did, when they used to throw members of the defeated royal family to the ground; and, as a sign of humiliation, put their feet on their necks. Pope Gregory the Great believes that ‘Job’ also speaks here of the devil who would not stop running, like a mighty warrior, against the church, to snatch her weak members captives under his authority. He attacks the church as a congregation, as well as every one of her members personally, by every possible way, to destroy as many of them as he can. “He breaks me again and again” (14). The holy Church breaks again and again, through her weak members; when one sin is added to another, until the iniquity reaches a serious level; like when greed makes one steal, then provokes him to defend himself by deceit and lies. “He runs at me like a warrior” (LXX). The victim of the devil could easily confront him, if he is not convinced by his views, concerning matters of faith; But, in case his soul gets used to his convictions; the more it submits to them, the more difficult it would be to wrestle against them. Our fierce adversary, like a “mighty warrior’ makes war against a believer, through an ugly habit; But the holy church, most of the time, intervenes to bring the minds of her believers back to repentance, and cleanses them of their sins, through the activity of man’s own readiness to chasten himself by himself. Pope Gregory the Great St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi, in his message (19), he sent to the monastery of (Mar) Isaac, presented a living portrait of the opposition of the devil against mankind; in which he says, that he started his war with lying (John 8: 44); and intends to end it with vanity: 1 الرسالة الثلاثون ا رجع ترجمة دكتور بهنام سوني. 16 In the first generation in the Garden of Eden, he put animosity between God and His image (Adam and Eve). In the seventh generation he taught man adultery, and defiled the children of God (of the pure Sheth), with the well-adorned beautiful daughters of the fugitive Cain. In the tenth generation, when the earth got full of transgressors; God sent His law on the hand of Moses, as a lamp to illuminate the darkness of the earth. In the fourteenth generation, when idol worship prevailed on the earth, and God was forgotten even among His people, God sent His prophet Elijah – the second Moses – to proclaim his zeal on the glory of God against vanity. And at the end of time, God sent His Son incarnate, to become one of us, to make us like Him and with Him; Gave Himself to us to bring us to his Father; Descended to the deepest of the deep, to bring us up to the power of the heights; and greatly humiliated Himself, to despise by His humiliation, that transgressor, who intended to proclaim himself god. The enemy makes war to change man form one form to another; And once man finds himself in the new form, Satan brings upon him a condition of depression, and let him blame himself for changing his original form! He keeps on disturbing man all the time, in everything he does, to draw him to his crafty and adversary counsels1. St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi “I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, and laid my head in the dust” (Job 16: 15). Because his magnificent attire were not any more befitting to his body covered with sores, and to his present miserable conditions; he sew for himself a sackcloth; as there was no one else to do it for him. And as the ‘head’ referred to authority and power, he laid it in the dust, which he counts as being the most suitable place, not only to sit on, but also to bury in it his dignity and authority! What does he mean by the sackcloth and the dust, but the remorse; and by the skin, but the sins of the body! Pope Gregory the Great “My face is flushed from weeping, and my eyelids are the shadow of death” (Job 16: 16). ‘Job’ did not only lose joy, but the time became for him more befitting for shedding tears for the sake of his sins, of God’s chastisements on him, and of the cruel stand of his friends. His face became flushed from weeping, and his eyelids carried the shadow of death. Although His whole face, and not just his eyes, flushed from his flooding tears, Yet, he did not fear death, which had no more authority over him. He considers it as just a passing shadow; Seeing by the inspiration of prophecy, the Lord Christ on the chariot of death, destroying death itself, and granting His church the power of His resurrection; For which she sings, praising Her Lord risen from the death, saying “He treaded over death by His own death”. “On my eyelids is the shadow of death” (16). He does not say death, but “the shadow of death”; as the Savior is not dead, but is just ‘sleeping’. That is why 1 الرسالة الأربعون ا رجع ترجمة دكتور بهنام سوني. 17 ‘Jacob’ or ‘Israel’, prophesying about the death of the Savior for our sake, utters the following words in his final blessing, saying: “From (my seed), my son, you have gone up, He crouches down, He stretches out like a lion, like a lioness – who dares rouse Him up?” (See Genesis 49: 9). He who roused all humanity up, needs nobody to rouse Him up;. By His own will, He roused Himself up. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem “My eyelids were darkened” (LXX). Because those who are entrusted with guarding the safety of God’s church, and are truly called “her eyelids”, are however unable to comprehend the secret ordinances of God; the ‘eyelids’ of the holy church are said to be ‘darkened’. Pope Gregory the Great Life ridiculed death, saying: “O Death, where is your victory?! O Hades, where is your sting?!” (1 Corinthians 54). At the dawn of Sunday, the gate of heaven, that was closed on Friday, in the face of the angels, lest they descend to Golgotha, was opened before them. They hastened to descend with their white attire, to receive our king who freed the captives, on His return to His Father. The new tomb became the house of wedding, set in the garden for the slain Groom, who brought the bride back from the captivity of the enemies. To its gate came and assembled the angels in their white attire; … the women disciples with the spices they had prepared (Luke 23: 56); … Simon and John, came running after hearing the good news (John 20: 3-8); … and the eyes of Cleopas, and his brother Simon, were opened to see and to testify to the resurrection (Luke 24: 31). … The disciples revealed their faces, and the opponents bowed them down! Annas and Caiaphas became mute. Judas was hanging from a tree. The rulers of the Synagogue slapped their faces. The gate of Hades was closed; and the gate of the Baptistery was opened. The cross was erected by the rivers of water; The rational flock came to drink from the water that poured from the cross. Standing by the spring of water, they looked at Him clothed by Light; to be clothed in turn by it. The whole flock became, like the cross, clothed by light as white as snow1. St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi Once Christ came and died for the sake of the world, death is no more called death, but ‘sleep’ and ‘repose’2. Do not you know how the cross reformed many wrong things? Did it not destroy Death; and abolished sin? Did it not put an end to the power of Satan? Did it not fulfill the being of our good body? Did it not reform the whole world? … And yet, you still do not trust it3?! “Who can tell of the entire Lord’s wonderful works?” (Psalm 105: 2). After death, we became eternal! Do you realize the extent of your conquest, and how you reached it? Do you neither know how you acquired that conquest with no labor nor 1 الرسالة الحادیة والثلاثون ا رجع ترجمة دكتور بهنام سوني. 2 De coem. et cruce. PG 49:394 B. 3 Baptismal Instructions, 12:57. 18 sweat on your part? Your weapons were not covered by blood; you did not stand on the line of battle; You were not wounded; You have not seen a battle; Yet you acquired it! Your strife is your enjoyment of your Christ, and the crown of conquest became yours. Now, as long as the conquest is ours, It is befitting for us as soldiers, to sing with joyful voices, the praises of conquest; to praise our Lord, saying: “Death is swallowed up in victory, O Death, where is your victory? O Hades, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15: 54, 55) 1. St. John Chrysostom 3- ‘JOB’ RESORTS TO THE JUST GOD: “Although no violence is in my hands, and my prayer is pure” (Job 16: 17). The testimony of his upright conscience did not forsake him. He does not recall that he has ever unjustly treated anyone; that he has not raised a prayer for something temporal; nor has stretched his hands for prayer, while defiled with any oppression. “Although no violence is in his hands” (17). In the Holy Book inspired by God, it is said about the savior: “He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth” (Isaiah 53: 9). “My prayer is pure”. Having been pure, even from anger, it was obvious to the Jews who crucified the Savior, that He prayed, saying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23: 34). ‘Job’ was both a prophet and a bearer of God; having been able to see the passion of Christ as though happening before him; he spoke about His person, to demonstrate His passion to the predecessors of the Jewish people, to make them realize them well. Yet he did not speak boastfully, but to let his friends, and all the future generations follow his lead, in presenting a pure prayer. A pure prayer comforts and help the righteous to be worthy of faith; and to keep it the way St. Paul comprehends it: “I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2: 8). Prayer will be pure when the hands are pure of greed and every blemish. For how could man be righteous, unless his inner man is free of wrath and doubting when he prays? (Romans 7: 22). In prayer, we are talking to God Himself, and approaching the great King, who washes us thoroughly from our iniquity, and cleanses us from our sins (Psalm 51: 3). Father Hesychius of Jerusalem I recall I mentioned that the righteous ‘Job’, who bears a symbol of the holy church, sometimes speaks with the voice of the body (the church), and sometimes with that of the Head (the Lord Christ). While talking about her members, he suddenly talks as her Head, adding: “Although no violence is in my hands, and my prayers are pure” (17). He suffered, “He who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2: 22); He endured the cross for the sake of our salvation. However, He above any others raises pure prayers to God the father, for the sake of His persecutors, saying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23: 24). How could there be a more pure prayer?! 1 De coem. et cruce. PG 49:396D-397A. 19 He grants His intercession, even to those whose hands practiced the iniquity; as the same blood shed by His persecutors, after believing in Him, they have come to drink it, proclaiming that He is the Son of God. Pope Gregory the Great As the purity of His prayer is set upon those circumstances; it is not un-befitting of Him, in His prayer to the Father, to ask Him to forgive them, if He Himself grants others His forgiveness1. St. Augustine Go on, pray; humbly ask for compassion; and take from the Grantor of goods. He is the One who receives all prayers and supplications; No prayer goes to His father without Him; and no gift comes from His Father, except through Him, and on His hands. He received Hanna’s prayer in His holy temple; and brought to her the mercies from His Father’s house. He listened to Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the whale, and brought it up as an offering to His Father. He listened to the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax-collector in His holy temple, and received that of the latter. He listens to the prayers of the whole world; and presents them the same way they are ministered. The pure prayer finds its way to God; It talks to Him; listens to Him, and trusts in Him. Don’t ever despair and assume that your supplication comes back void. Don’t ever say: I prayed much and did not receive; and would probably never receive2! St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi “O earth, do not cover my blood, And let my cry have no resting place” (Job 16: 18). Some interpret this, that he believes as though his friends, by pouring vain accusations against him, have shed his innocent blood; So he asks the earth to testify to him against them; and not to keep his cries anywhere, but to let them go up to God in heaven. And others interpret it, that if his friends have accused him of evil and hypocrisy; he is asking the earth to testify, if he ever has shed innocent blood, or committed a crime, let it expose and proclaim it (Genesis 4: 10-11; Isaiah 26). “Do not cover …” I wish Job’s tribulations are never forgotten! I wish the sweat of his labor, that pours while practicing virtue and every work of perseverance, does not dry up! I wish the sores of that righteous man become revealed to the eyes of the public, to provoke them to purify themselves by their desire to follow his lead! Father Hesychius of Jerusalem Remember his pure conscience and his blameless prayer: “O earth, do not cover the blood of my body” (Job 16: 18 LXX); to be “set as incense before the Lord” (Psalm 141: 2); and not to have “a resting place in the earth”. 1 On Man’s Perfection in Righteousness, 25. 2 الرسالة الثامنة والثلاثون ا رجع ترجمة دكتور بهنام سوني. 20 The prayer of the righteous “will reach to the clouds” (Sirach 35: 17); Whereas the earth will open up its mouth to hide that of the sinner in the blood of the body; As God said to Cain the murderer: “You are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand” (Genesis 4; 11-12) 1. St. Ambrose “O earth, do not cover my blood; I wish my cry would have no resting place in you” (Job 16: 18 LXX). It was said to man when he sinned: “You are dust (earth), and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3: 19). This earth does not cover the blood of our Savior, from which every sinner takes for himself, the price of his salvation; to confess, to praise, and to proclaim it to everyone. Moreover, the earth have not covered His blood; as the holy church has preached the secret of His salvation all over the world. Notice how he added: “I wish my cry would have no resting place in you”, as the blood of salvation that is taken, is itself the cry of our savior; according to the words of Paul: “The blood of sprinkling speaks better things than that of Abel” (Hebrew 12: 24). About Abel’s blood it is said to Cain: “Your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4: 10); But Jesus’ blood speaks better things than that of Abel; For Abel’s blood brought about the death of his brother; whereas that of the Lord brought about life even for His persecutors. As the secret of the passions of our Lord, are not without benefit to us; We are committed to follow the lead of what we acquire, and preach whom we worship. Pope Gregory the Great “Surely even now my witness is in heaven, and my evidence is on high” (Job 16: 19). So as not to be accused anew, of referring self-righteousness to himself, he seeks from heaven to testify to him, and from Him who dwells in it to proclaim his upright character. If you ask, where and when that testimony took place? I shall answer you: ‘In the River Jordan’, when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and “a voice came from heaven, saying: ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3: 17). Here, I want to clarify that there is neither voice nor image for God; As He is beyond of anything of the sort. St. John Chrysostom “My witness is in heaven” (19). Not because of his wealth, as God needs no reward; He who is not preoccupied with the love of the world (Matthew 6: 19-20). “And my evidence is on high” (19). He, who is aware of the works, the words, and the movements of thoughts, presents to us this unforgettable memory of ‘Job’, kept in the divine books. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem “Surely even now, my witness is in heaven, and (the fellowship of my heart) is on high” (Job 16:19 LXX). When the Son came down to earth, He had a witness in heaven; namely the Father, according to the words of the Lord Jesus: “The Father Himself who sent me, has testified to me” (John 5: 37). He described well as “the 1 The Prayer of Job and David 1: 8: 27. 21 fellowship of my heart”; as they have one will, and one counsel; the Father works always in unity with the Son … This can also apply to the voice of His ‘body’; namely the holy church; that endures the tribulations of this life, for the sake of the high grace, which leads her to the eternal rewards. Aiming to the glory of the resurrection, the church belittles the physical death. What she suffers is temporary; while what she anticipates is eternal. There is no doubt in her mind concerning these eternal blessings. Seeing by her mind the resurrection of His body, her hope becomes stronger; Counting what she saw as something that happened to the (Head); she certainly hopes to have it realized in the (body); namely, in herself… So it should be with the believing congregation; when they suffer from adversity, or become disturbed by bitter afflictions; raising their minds toward hope in the coming glory, and trusting in the resurrection of the Redeemer, they should say together with the righteous ‘Job’: “I see my witness in heaven, and (the fellowship of my heart) is on high”. He rightly calls it ‘fellowship’; as He, not only recognized our nature by creating it; but also by acquiring to Himself what is ours. This voice could also apply to every one of us together with the blessed ‘Job’. As he who aims toward human commendation in what he does, seeks a witness on earth; whereas he, who longs to please the Almighty God by what he does, seeks a witness in heaven. It often happens that even our good works, could be considered wrong by some ungodly persons; Yet he who has a witness in heaven, does not need to fear the rebukes of men. Pope Gregory the Great When the wise get good things on earth; they send a part ahead of them; according to the words of ‘Job’: “My witness is in heaven” (19). By the command of the Lord, those who acquire possessions should use them to create for themselves, friends and treasures in heaven1. St. Aphrahat “My friends scorn me; My eyes pour out tears to God” (Job 16: 20). His friends did not only oppose him, but they also went so far as spoiling his reputation, and designing plots against him. He, consequently, no longer expects from them any compassion or comfort; and intends to pour out tears before God alone; offering Him his broken and contrite heart, which He would never despise! When his friends scorned his cries, he presents his tears as a pure offering to God, the hope of the afflicted! “I wish my supplication come before the Lord”; as, when my prayer reaches up high, my enemies will become no more; … “The righteous will stand with great confidence” (wisdom of Solomon 5; 1); The snare will break; and the sparrow being free, will fly away (psalm 124: 70; The persecutors bow their heads, and the persecuted rejoice (Matthew 5: 10). “Let my eyes pour out tears before Him”. By intention he says ‘before’ Him; namely, ‘before God’; as crying before men, even the wise, is completely futile for those who pray. It is surely foolish to seek glory from people. 1 Demonstration 22 of Death and the Latter Times, 10. 22 “Put my tears into Your bottle” (Psalm 56: 8); the more tears we pour in prayer before the Lord, the more the deceitful will flee and are destroyed (Psalm 5; 6); while the king will be clothed with compassion. Tears cleanse the souls and the bodies, purify every defilement and blemish, and turn those who cry whiter than snow (Psalm 51: 7). Father Hesychius of Jerusalem “My friends are full of words, but my eyes pour out tears to God” (LXX). By the eyes he means the intention of the heart; according to the words of the Lord: “If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light” (Matthew 6: 22) Pope Gregory the Great “Oh, that ‘One’ might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor!” (Job 16: 21). Knowing for sure that no man could judge in his favor; He would rather stand before God who searches the heart, and is aware of the thoughts and the intentions. He, alone, is the One to judge and to justify him through His rich grace. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem believes that the ‘One’ or ‘man’ referred to here, is the Son of Man, who incarnated for our sake (John 1: 12; Romans 3; 1 John 4: 2; 2 John 7), who sits on the right hand of the Father (Psalm 110: 1). Being equal to the Father in royal dignity, He intercedes for us, and nullifies the charges of the devil against us. “For when a few years are finished, I shall go the way of no return” (Job 16: 22). ‘Job’ felt that death is at hand; and in a few years he would depart to his eternal home, not ever to return to this world. “Our years are counted, and their end is at hand” (22); namely, I am going the way of no return; about which David says: “I go the way of all the earth” (1 Kings 2: 2). Thus, If it is impossible for man to return from this way, as is also testified by David, when his son died, saying: “I Shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12: 23); let us then prepare the necessary requirements for the journey; namely, the virtues; As on that way, we will not get thirsty, hungry, or naked, nor lose the glory of life. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem ‘Job’ realized that the Messiah will not come during his time. In a biography of Abbot Sisoes the great, it came, that, Although the true believer rejoices during the moments of the departure of his soul from this world, Yet, feeling his weakness, he wishes to stay a little longer, to have a chance to repent. About him it is said, that, at the moments before his final departure, he was heard saying: [Behold, there is Father Anthony coming; A chorus of prophets, and of apostles are approaching]; He was heard as though talking with someone, and said to those around him: [I am asking the angels who have come to receive my soul, to give me a few more moments to repent]. When he was told that he is in no need for repentance, and he responded by saying: [I do not think I have even started!], they all realized that he is of a very exalted stature of holiness and perfection. Then, when his countenance suddenly shone with an incredible splendor, he proclaimed: [Behold, Here is the Lord Himself, saying: Bring to me the vessel of the wilderness!] At this 23 moment he delivered his spirit; and there was something like lightening, and a fragrance of incense filled the house1. As the Lord destroyed the authority of death, and shone on us with the splendor of His resurrection, the believers started crying, yet not for fear of death, but rather because of their sins, and longing to set forth to be with the Lord Christ. According to the law of nature, we cry for the dead. But we should rather cry for the sake of our salvation. Those who lose their loved ones would think of nothing but of those whom they have lost; while we, who have lost the heavenly kingdom, would think of everything, but of our great loss! No one, even of a royal status, would feel ashamed to submit to that natural law of grief for losing one of his close relatives; he would easily and with no effort, fall to the ground, cry bitterly, and practice the things that befit the time. While we, who should grieve for loosing our own soul, do nothing of the sort, claiming excuses of illness, or even of being highly educated! We are slothful, even to do what does not require a physical effort on our part! I wonder, What kind of effort do we need to practice the remorse of heart, to watch in prayers, or to think about our iniquities?! The things that may draw God’s compassion on us2?! St. John Chrysostom In the biography of St. Ephram the Syrian, referred to St. Gregory of Nyssa, It came that he was preoccupied with pouring tears for the sake of enjoying his eternal salvation: [Whenever I recall the flood of his tears, I cannot help crying myself! There was never a day or night, or even a single moment, I saw his watching eyes not glittering with tears! According to him, he used to cry for the sake of the misery and foolishness of everyone in general, and for the fall of certain individual in particular. You see him crying and mourning, not only while speaking about issues of remorse, of ethics, or the control of life; but even during prayers of praise to God! 3]. Grief, crying, tears, and lamentation, are due over the sins and iniquities that have dwelt upon our soul, and brought it down to perdition; That they may probably bring it back to God! God grieves on the image that was lost because of our sins. To God, the soul is more precious than His whole creation. Through sin it became dead; and yet, O sinner, you do not care! Pour a flood of tears! And bring pleasure to God4! St. (Mar) Ephram the Syrian Let us have compassion on ourselves; Let us walk our way toward the compassion of God the Father! Let us sow tears; to reap joy5! Tears are the flood that pours on our sins; and cleanses the world6. St. Gregory of Nyssa 1 The Saying of the Desert Fathers (Mowbrays, London, 1975): Sisoes, 14. 2 De Compuntione 1:10 PG 47:409 f. 3 PG 46:829 D. 4 Sermones Exegetici, In Is. 26:10. 5 Oratio 16:14 PG 35:952 B. 6 Oratio 4, Contra Julianum 1. PG 35:593 C. 24 AN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF ‘JOB’ 16 YOU ARE ALL MISERABLE COMFORTERS I often long to hear a word of comfort from someone. But I realized that they are all miserable comforters. No one could enter into my depths. No one could share my feelings or partake of my moaning. But You are the only One who loves every single human soul. They may utter sweet words with their lips But, do they truly have a heart big enough to bear my weaknesses?! Even though they may utter soft words, yet they still criticize with their eyes! Only Your eyes see what is good and beautiful in me. Grant me. Not to lean upon human comfort. For You are my comfort and the joy of my heart. Even if you wound me; Your wounds would bear the anointment for my healing. Together with Your chastisements, I feel the exalt sweetness of Your love. Grant me amid my sufferings, not to be preoccupied with the looks or the words of men. But to be only preoccupied with looking at You, the source of every comfort. Let everyone ridicule me. In their ridicule, I see some benefit for my depths. I shall bear their ridicule; As You alone will shine on me. You alone, O the Sun of righteousness, will scatter my darkness,. I marvel, how, if men keep silence, I feel that they disregard me; And if they talk, I feel their words pierce my heart like deadly arrows! As for You, Your silence carries me to see Your glories. And Your words flare my heart with Your love. Instruct me when to keep silent, and when to talk. Let the law of Your love, be the guide for my silence and of my talk. Let me bear You in my depths; Let me introduce You to my brethren. Let me introduce You, by my prayers for them. And by my words that bear the sweetness of your love. Let me aim at them, not the arrows of criticism that destroy. But those of Your love, that, even when they wound, they will also heal. Your comforts to me proclaim Your presence in me. When I see You, O the Crucified, I enjoy suffering, even to death. When I see You destroy by Your cross, the authority of the devil, I realize that the devil’s opposition is for my own victory’ Let him then, strike as hard as he can; as I am hidden in You. By You, I enjoy a crown of glory that will never fade. My enemy who testifies against me, is actually opening for me the door to overcome him. It is an endless war. But what can the devil do to You, O my Savior?! Can the darkness overcome the light?! 25 Can the anti-Christ confiscate Your kingdom?! What a worthless enemy! What a deceitful and a crafty enemy! But You are the undisputable Truth. Amid my affliction I open my eyes, to see You. Even if you allow for chastisement, You are still a Father. Even when the affliction becomes harder, Your eyes reveal Your compassion. The devil has no authority on me. He can manage to distort my image; But You are always the secret of my eternal splendor, and my heavenly comfort. The devil wants to strike me on the cheek. To keep me from testifying to You. Yet Your word in my mouth is a flaring fire. That the enemy will never be able to quench, Nor can he mute. The devil may indeed be a mighty monster! Who will never despair of attacking the church as a whole, and everyone of its members in particular. As he started his war against the first man in paradise, He will continue making war along the successive generations with various means. He will never stop until the end of time. He craftily works hard, through the anti-Christ, Using every chance to destroy us, To turn our life into hell, Until we loose hope in our salvation, Until our eyes darkens with despair, And until we assume that death has eternally captivated us. But Your death, having granted us the resurrection, And Your ascension, having opened before us the gates of heaven, The devil will no more be able to shut us up in Hades, with its eternal darkness. We shall no more not fear him; For You, O Redeemer, are our victory! Our resurrection and our crown. Let the enemy strike hard; The earth itself cries out! The earth will never accept to swallow innocent blood, but will cry out to You. The earth could not shut You up in the grave; For You are the Heavenly One! Let me unify with You; so as not to return to the dust of the earth. But By You, I become heavenly. And enjoy the heavenly glories. Amid my sufferings, I see You testify to me in heaven. I see You testify to me, by Your death, resurrection, and ascension. For, as I partake of Your passion, I enjoy the fellowship of Your glories. Amid my sufferings, my tears pour, not before men, but before You. While humans are miserable comforters, You treasure my tears. Amid my sufferings, I anticipate my crossing over to You. 26 My years are few, and the end of my life is near. I am going along the way of the whole earth. But not alone, For You are with me! To You I go to settle down eternally!
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