ELIHU’S FOURTH TALK ELIHU GLORIFIES GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PREPARES THE WAY FOR HIS APPEARANCE In his previous talks, Elihu rebuked ‘Job’ on his unbecoming way in debating his three friends. Having nothing to answer him, ‘Job’ kept silent. Now Elihu speaks in a general way to clarify to ‘Job’ the correct concepts concerning the dealing with God; and that the Almighty will never stop realizing justice to mankind (2-6). He will perpetually work to edify the righteous; and if He sometimes chastens them, he does it with love. In case they submit to His fatherly chastisements, they would enjoy His goodness; whereas if they murmur, rebel, and refuse to submit to Him, they would be humiliated, and would become the object of His wrath (7-16). As far as ‘Job’ is concerned, If he accepts God’s chastisement, he would return to his past status; Whereas his opposition to them, would turn him into an example for God’s justice on His opponents (17-18). So Elihu warns ‘Job’, lest the Lord would cut him off; and in that case, no riches, nor power, can redeem him (18-26). God, the Almighty, and whole wisdom, no one can oppose Him; nor get away from His hands; … Before God, the whole pure, the sun would appear very pale, like a humble ray before a great bright star; … His holiness becomes apparent in His hate of iniquity; and His goodness in His fulfillment of the needs of His creation. 1- An introduction 1 – 4 2- The ways by which God deals with His children 5 - 15 114 3- A good counsel to ‘Job’ 16 – 21 4- God teaches, but commits no one to receive His teachings 22 – 23 5- How great are God’s works! 24 – 26 6- The whirlwind and the rain 27 – 31 7- A song to praise the mighty wisdom of God 23 – 33 1- AN INTRODUCTION: Elihu’s description of God’s might in the whirlwind directly precede His coming and His talk to ‘Job’. The whirlwind and the rain are God’s (agents) for judgment and blessing (31) “Elihu also proceeded and said: ’Bear with me a little And I will show you, that there are yet words to speak on God’s behalf’” (Job 36: 1, 2). Here, Elihu asks ‘Job’ to be longsuffering with him, and to listen to him; as he still has other proofs concerning God’s justice and care.“ I will fetch my knowledge from afar. I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker” (Job 36: 3). Elihu proclaims that he bears his knowledge as endurable inscription; that he fetches from afar; namely from the mighty works of God. While he ascribes righteousness to God; According to him, ‘Job’ ascribed injustice to Him (Job 34: 10-12). He is as though saying to ‘Job’: What I say to you is not public knowledge; but is the fruit of research and a deep apprehension of the exalted works of God, not known to many. He probably means that he has acquired his knowledge, as a special gift from God. “Be assured that my words are not false; one perfect in knowledge is with you” (Job 36: 4). He confirms to him that his talk is not vain like that of the other three friends; but he utters the truth; and has perfect knowledge. God does not despise anyone serious, but glorifies the righteous; and even if they fall under troubles; He would reveal 115 their sins to them, and would reform their ways if they repent; But would allow for their perdition, if they do not (5-12); God allows for the suffering, in order to teach and instruct (15). Pope Gregory the Great believes that Elihu commends himself, the way the apostle Paul did, in an attempt to confirm that he is providing great facts; which ‘Job’ would later on realize. Even the righteous, sometimes tend to commend what they say, when they notice that their weak listeners, fail to grasp the significance of their words; Not that they are enjoying their commendation, but they have to do it in order to flare the desire of their listeners to be more attentive…. Hence the words the apostle Paul said to the Corinthians, after speaking of many amazing things: “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open” (2 Corinthians 6: 11). Pope Gregory the Great 2- THE WAYS BY WHICH GOD DEALS WITH HIS CHILDREN: “Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one. He is mighty in strength of understanding” (Job 36: 5). God is mighty, as far as His power and wisdom are concerned; Yet, He despises no one, whatever his status is; He seeks all, cares for all, brings justice to all, and would never leave anyone oppressed. Here, Elihu repeats what ‘Job’, himself has already said (Job 35: 14). The Almighty Lord Christ, while supporting the weak, providing them with strength, He would never despise the strong, being Himself mighty; Yet, if he casts away those who seek selfglory, it would be to grant them the grace of humility, to gain from the abundance of His strength and might, then praise Him and say: “For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12: 2). The Almighty God desires to see in His children, the spirit of leadership and might; and would never despise those of strong authority. Being aware of that, the humble apostle Paul says to the 116 Corinthians with confidence: “Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?” (1 Corinthians 4: 21). The leader (the ruler) intends indeed to follow the lead of the Lord, if he practices his exalted authority for the sake of the benefit of his subjects. Pope Gregory the Great “He does not preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the oppressed” (Job 36: 6). The wicked assume that they live by taking the rights of others by force, by enjoying pleasures, and by despising the righteous; Yet they are actually deceiving themselves; as the eternal perdition will certainly come to dwell upon them. The humble righteous, on the other hand, even if their life looks bitter in their anguish, Yet they will eventually enjoy the divine justice. By the ‘oppressed’ here, he means the poor and the weak, who think that they have no one to support or to defend them against the rich and those of authority; Yet God Himself will provide them with justice, and give them back their rights. “He does not preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the oppressed” (6). The Holy Book mostly tends to refer to the humble as “the poor”, often with the addition of the words “in spirit”; saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5: 3). God destroys the proud, and by His justice, He sets the humble free; namely, “He gives justice to the poor”, who are oppressed in an evil way now; But will later on come as judges over their oppressors. Pope Gregory the Great “He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But with kings on the throne He sets them forever, and they are exalted” (Job 36: 7). God’s eyes would never be withdraw from the righteous; whether they are rich or poor, in high or law positions; … they are like a precious treasure in his eyes. He may allow for them to go through temptations, yet He would never forget them, nor disregard them. Those whom the world look at now as despised and without 117 honor; Together with granting them authority here in this world, God will count them as kings, and will forever hold them fast in an exalted heavenly peace. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous” (1 Peter 3: 12); “makes them inherit the throne of glory” (1 Samuel 2: 8; Psalm 113: 7, 8); “They greatly rejoice, though now for a little while” (1 Peter 2: 9; 1: 6); Yet, they will enjoy a complete honor in the age to come (Revelation 5: 10). Sometimes it may seem as though God withdraws His eyes from the righteous, when He allows for them to be wounded by the oppression of the wicked; and when He delays in avenging them. Yet, His eyes would never forsake His servants, while they suffer; and seeing how they endure with humility, the injustice of their persecutors, He is considering the reward He would grant them there. When you notice how how one moans in his humility, and how the other haughtily boasts and prospers in his wickedness; from whom of the two, do you think, God’s eyes will withdraw: From the one applying the oppression, or from him, on whom the oppression dwells? The saints in the language of the Holy Book, are rightly called ‘kings’; when they soar high above carnal emotions; alleviate and bow down the heat and the haughtiness of the pride of greed; crush the evil suggestions of the body; control the pleasures and quench the fire of lust. They are kings, when they learn how not to surrender to the erroneous reactions to temptations; by receiving them in good spirit, and even have control over them. They would forever be granted to sit on the throne of the eternal glory, and would even get the authority to judge others; … according to the words of the lord to the church of the Laodicians: “To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3: 21). 118 It is not contradictory to proclaim in another location, that His disciples will sit on twelve thrones (Matthew 19; 28). By the twelve thrones, He refers to the general judgment; while by the throne of the Son, to the special exaltation of the judicial authority. Pope Gregory the Great “And if they are bound in fetters, held in the cords of affliction…” (Job 36: 8). Elihu says that the righteous, even if they are cast in prison; are subjected to trials and cruel afflictions; are bound in fetters; are cast on beds of torture; and are crushed by heavy calamities; God’s eyes shall always stay on them. Here, Elihu corrects the wrong concepts of Job’s friends, that what dwell upon them are to be seen as a proof that they are hypocrites; or that God does not care for them. God’s wise plan concerning the chastisement of mankind would always end up in the happiness of those who accept it, and in their glorification in the proper time. The fetters of servitude refer to being chained in the present journey of this life; concerning which the apostle Paul says: “I have the desire to depart and be with Christ” (Philippians 1: 23). Realizing that he was bound by the fetters of poverty, looking forward to the true riches, and seeking them as well for his disciples, he says to them: “… that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1: 18)…. When we learn through an abundance of love, about the heavenly glory, we would feel more the weight of committing sin. Pope Gregory the Great “Then He tells them their work and their transgressions – that they have acted defiantly” (Job 36: 9). By sending to them messengers and prophets, or through their quiet meditations, and rethinking of their status (33: 27); or by the work of the Holy Spirit in them, He revealed to them their evil life and works, (Job 33: 23) 119 The goal of their grieves and afflictions – according to Elihu – is to help them find a chance to reconsider their life, and mend their ways. He reveals to them as well, how their transgressions have became huge and dangerous. And because they thought of themselves as great and strong, instead of leaning upon the living God; He would not support them in their afflictions. “He also opens their ear to instruction, and commands that they turn from iniquity” (Job 36: 10). By saying “opens their ears” He means that He gives them understanding, teaches them, or grants them the desire to learn, in order to realize the reason behind their chastisement; And He commands that they turn from those iniquities that made Him visit them with grieves and afflictions. “If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures” (Job 36: 11). In case they listen to His voice as is befitting, their afflictions produce repentance on their sins, and they seek the mercies of God and serve Him; they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their life will be filled with pleasure. This clearly shows that the goal of the afflictions is not to destroy them, as much as it is to make them return to God, to enjoy the true happiness of His blessings and mercies. Here Elihu is demands from ‘Job’ not to concentrate on his friend’s accusations, that almost destroyed his state of mind; And at the same time, he asks him not to think of God as cruel and fierce; and not to justify himself before God; But to seek repentance, in order to enjoy the happiness that he has lost. By “prosperity” he probably means (the upright behavior); And by “pleasures” the (heavenly reward of glory). Namely, that those who learn to obey the divine commandments will spend their days in prosperity, and their years in glory. Pope Gregory the Great “But if they do not obey, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge” (Job 36: 12). 120 Whereas if man gets arrogant, and rebels against God, because of the affliction He brought on him, he would be stricken by the sword; and would die, not because of the afflictions, but rather because of his foolishness and lack of knowledge. Protesting against the afflictions, instead of repenting, would not lift them up from him, but would make them rather heavier, and would probably lead to his destruction. God would not withdraw His hand that seems heavy with the temptations, until man returns to Him, and stops murmuring and complaining. God usually starts by lighter chastisements, to lift them up if they produce repentance; But if man’s heart gets harder, and protests and complains against God, the temptation would become heavier and greater, until he comes to realize his weakness, and wisely returns to God. There are some who, even sufferings would not make them forsake their nasty habits; about whom the prophet says: “You have stricken them, but they have not grieved; You have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction” (Jeremiah 5: 3); And, “I will destroy My people, since they do not return from their ways” (Jeremiah 15: 7); And, symbolized by Babylon, he says about them: “We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed” (Jeremiah 51: 9); Those, when suffering dwells upon them, as they either become more arrogant, or even rush to blasphemy against God, they would end up to a worse condition. Pope Gregory the Great “But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; they do not cry for help when He binds them” (Job 36: 13). Elihu calls those protesting against God, as the godless hypocrites in heart; namely, the wicked, who Instead of lifting up their hearts in repentance, they gather more of God’s wrath for themselves. And although God in His love allows for binding them with afflictions, to make them cry out to Him with a spirit of humility; they instead, in their arrogance, do not resort to him, nor humiliate themselves before Him. Through afflictions, God calls them to receive His friendship, to recognize His secrets, and to enter with Him into a 121 befitting debate; but those who remain on their haughtiness, would get themselves into animosity with God, and bring perdition upon themselves. By the ‘hypocrites in heart’ here, he means those wicked people who practice evil in a challenge against God, and who, in obvious arrogance, treasure up for themselves the wrath of God (Romans 2: 5). Some, like ‘Umbreit’, believe that by ‘wrath’ here, is not meant the ‘wrath of God’; but that the hypocrites gather the wrath against God; and instead of crying out to Him, they rebel publicly against Him. Speaking here about the hypocrites; by their hypocrisy, they not only deserve to fall under the wrath of God who hates evil; But by their attempt to hide behind a curtain of self-righteousness, and through false pretence that they are righteous; … And as they are practicing evil through knowledge, and adding deceit to evil, which is a feature of the deceitful devil; They arouse the wrath of God; Such hypocrites fall under chastisements, in the hope that they may return from their wickedness. Yet, as they mostly do not care for the chastisements, however severe they may be; and do not even care for the eternal punishment; They do not cry out to God to return to Him, nor forsake their hypocrisy; They are only preoccupied with making sure that people keep on looking at them as righteous! We can classify people in general into three categories: 1- The wicked, who persist on their wickedness, and are never ashamed to be as such; whatever are the chastisements that may dwell upon them. 2- The hypocrites, who, being only preoccupied with how other people look at them; they hide their wickedness, and would never confess them, even while under chastisements. 3- The true believers, who readily confess that they are sinners, believe in God, the Forgiver of sins. Chastisement to these people, motivates them to spiritual growth, which is the down payment of eternal glory. 122 “The hypocrites and the deceitful provoke the wrath of God” (13). A hypocrite is always preoccupied with watching two points: To learn how to hide his true nature; and to demonstrate what he is not; … To suppress his true faults, and to show off his false goodness … Referring to the hypocrites and the deceitful, he, with great delicacy adds, not that they are just worthy of God’s wrath, but they even provoke it. Because he, who sins in ignorance is worthy of God’s wrath; While he, who intentionally opposes God’s commandments; being aware of, but does not care for what is good, despite his ability to do it; this man provokes God’s wrath! “They do not cry for help when they are bound” (13).The wicked who, when he is under severe chastisement, does not seek to appear holy; will not feel shame to confess that he is wicked. Whereas that wicked hypocritr, who is preoccupied with the way other people look at him; Even when under the rod of chastisement, he persists on concealing his wickedness, because he is used to appear holy. … We, as true believers, when we are “bound” , and under the strikes of the rod of chastisement, we cry loudly, confessing our sins. Whereas the hypocrites, on the other hand, the strokes of chastisement, do not provoke them to an honest confession; because they fear to become exposed as sinners in the eyes of other people. Being stricken here to no end, and despite their realization that they are heading to an eternal punishment, they still wish to remain as they are, in the eyes of other people. Pope Gregory the Great There are people who see the thief “hypocrisy” carrying away everything they possess, under their own eyes, and still rejoice! What a new and a strange kind of robbery1! There are those who offer their elms before people’s eyes, but avoid show it off. And those who may not offer them before the people’s eyes, but yet boast about them in secret. God does not 1 In Acts, hom., 5. 123 reward for elms according to whether they are given before the people’s eyes or not; but according to the true intention of their giver1. St. John Chrysostom There are those who are used to walk clothed in honorable attire, in order to get great honor and respect because of it; and do the same in many things for the sake of temporal glory. Father Theophlactius “They die in youth, and their life ends among the perverted persons” (Job 36: 14). The literal translation is: “They die in the youth of their souls”; They may live to a long age according to the body; Yet their souls are counted as immature; Having spent most of their days without spiritual growth, nor any benefit for themselves or for their brethren; Their years are counted as one day (Psalm 90: 4), or even as few hours. “Their life ends among the perverted persons”; among the adulterers, and the filthy godless. The word translated as “perverted” came to mean the male prostitutes of the pagan shrines, whose life were dedicated to perverted physical relationships; And in the Septuagint version, it came as: “Their life is wounded by the angels”. They are not given mercy or compassion; because instead of testifying to the true righteousness, practicing it and preaching it, they dedicate their life to corruption, and are counted like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, “Their souls die in a whirlwind, and their life ends among the (homosexuals)” (14). Although their souls are used to human commendation in a destructive quietness; they die in a sudden whirlwind…. Human commendations usually torture the righteous, and cause them to become purified. Whereas the wicked, rejoicing by the same, are boastful, and become worthy of eternal punishment. Not seeking the glory of their Maker, the . 1 الحب الأخوي، 1964 ، ص 129 124 wicked rejoice in being commended by others; Whereas those who seek the glory of their Maker, become tortured by the commendation of others; for fear that what is said concerning the outside, may not be in the inside; And even if it is actually inside, may appear vain in the eyes of God, because of these honors themselves; and lest the commendation of people may draw their hearts away from firmness, and may bring them down to feeling self-fulfillment. Otherwise, in case they find out that being commended may lead to the glory of God, they would long for it and would welcome it; according to the Scripture: “That they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5: 16). The haughty dedicate their perverted hearts to human commendation; being corrupted by the love of the ‘ego’; about which it is said: “For men will be lovers of themselves” (2 Timothy 3: 2). Pope Gregory the Great “He delivers the poor in their affliction, and opens their ears in oppression” (Job 36; 15). The word “poor’ here, as clarified by Elihu, may also imply to the suffering and the tempted. Those who repent and return to God, will be saved from their temptations, and restore their life before they dwelt upon them. “Opens their ears”; means grants them an understanding of His divine ordinances; a principle, preoccupying Elihu’s mind, he repeated it several times. The poor is delivered from his affliction; namely, the humble man is liberated from the worries of this journey. Being under the pressure of successive temptations, and longing to seek the joy of true comfort, he added after this: “… and opens his ears in oppression”. The affliction opens the ears of the heart that were closed by the prosperity of this world. Pope Gregory the Great 125 3- A GOOD COUNSEL TO JOB: “Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, into a broad place where there is no constraint, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food” (Job 36: 16). Amid the dire distress, God would take out His believers, as though from the lion’s mouth; would lift them up to a place of freedom, broader than where they have been before the temptation (Psalm 18; 19; 31: 8; 118: 5); and would promise them a table laden with choice food (Psalm 23: 5; Isaiah 25: 6). He who forgets the way of life, and casts himself into the darkness of sin; would bring himself over into a pit or well; where, being heavily burdened with its habit, he is unable to climb back up. But, returning through repentance from that heavy yoke of evil, to the freedom of good deeds, “he would be brought out of the dire distress to a broad place”. Pope Gregory the great “But you are obsessed with the case of the wicked; Judgment and justice have taken hold of you” (Job 36: 17). Some believe that Elihu here rebukes ‘Job’ for following the lead of those who murmur under suffering and chastisement, and warns him that he would fall together with them under the same judgment. By murmuring against God, ‘Job’ would be, according to Elihu, consummating the ways of the wicked, and adopting their spirit and thought; and would accordingly be worthy, together with them, of falling under the divine justice. “Because there is wrath, beware lest He take you away with one blow; For a large ransom would not help you avoid it’ (Job 36: 18). Elihu warns ‘Job’ that his murmuring behavior may subject him to get stricken by a blow from God, from which no ransom, however great, would be enough to redeem; taking into consideration that ‘Job’ has already become in no position to pay any ransom. He who keeps on murmuring and complaining, would treasure for himself the horrible wrath of God; from which no 126 wealth nor connections would redeem or ransom; As according to the Psalmist: “Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches, None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him” (Psalm 49: 6, 7). He would be casting himself into Hades. “Beware then of useless grumbling, and keep your tongue from slander; because no secret word is without result, and a lying mouth destroys the soul” (Wisdom 1: 11). “Free citizens will serve a wise servant, and an intelligent person will not complain” (Sirach 10: 25). “Do not murmur, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer” (1 Corinthians 10: 10). He, in whose heart there is complaint (or grumbling), is away from God’s mercy. Father Isaiah If you are lacking food; first pray and seek from God, then come out of your cell; don't put your hope on, through whom He will be giving you, but believe that it is God who will fulfill your need. And in case you go to someone, and he does not give you, don’t grumble, but understands that God did not allow him to gain your blessing. St. Arsanius Man who recognized his weakness and helplessness has reached the level of humility. God’s blessings to man, are motivated by thanksgiving, perpetually working in his heart; And the temptations on his soul, are motivated by his continuous grumbling and complaining. God may endure man’s weakness, but He would never endure his perpetual complaining, without chastening him for it. The mouth perpetually thanking God, would receive His blessings, and his heart would be filled with grace. He, who grumbles before temptations, would have them doubled, and God’s fatherly mercies would get away from him. 127 Whoever not disciplined and crushed by temptations here, will be tortured there without mercy. St (Mar) Isaac the Syrian An elderly said about poor Lazarus, mentioned in the gospel: ‘We notice that he has done no virtue, other than that he never grumbled against that rich man who did not help him; Because of this, and because he was always thankful for what God has granted him, He gave him mercy’ The garden of monks “Will your riches, or all your mighty forces, keep you from distress?” (Job 36: 19). He probably refers here to the past riches of ‘Job’; beside all the sources of his power; namely, his wisdom, reputation, authority, social status, and the awe of his old age; All of which, according to Elihu, could not save him from the wrath of God. According to the words of the wise Solomon: “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs 11; 4). “Do not long for the night, when people are cut off in their place” (Job 36: 20). It is obvious here that he means the night of death, for which ‘Job’ longed to rid him from his sufferings. The Lord Christ spoke of death as being like the night, when no one can work (John 9: 4). Here Elihu calls ‘Job’ to reconsider this line of thought; As death would never save the wicked from his sufferings; Only repentance and the return to God can. And as though he rebukes him, saying: Do not covet death; but leave the matter in God’s hand; lest He would listen to you, and send you death, while you are in this miserable condition; to be cut off, and your soul would be in terror and trembling. Some believe that this phrase refer to some wicked who desire the night of death to cross over from this world, so that others would come in their place, and have their portion of sufferings. 128 “Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, for you have chosen this rather than affliction” (Job 36: 21). Elihu says to ‘Job’: By this you insult the care of God, who allowed for you to be chastened by sorrows. Desiring death instead of sorrow is an iniquity against God’s care and wisdom. Man often prefers iniquity to suffering; not caring for the former; and only preoccupied with getting relieved of his sufferings and affliction; by which, in foolishness and ignorance, he adds to his sufferings, more sins and transgressions. 4- GOD TEACHES; BUT COMMITS NO ONE TO RECEIVE HIS TEACHINGS: “Behold, God is exalted by His power; who teaches like Him?” (Job 36: 22). Elihu’s goal is to draw Job’s mind to God, to make him meditate in His might, wisdom, and fatherhood; he would then receive Him as a heavenly Teacher, and would stop blaming and accusing Him, or complaining against Him. In the Septuagint version it came: “Who can teach like Him; And who is as mighty?”; And as said by the prophet: “Who is God like you, ardoning iniquity, and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy” (Micah 7: 18). The heavenly Teacher is mighty, He chastens, is capable of giving life, and raising from the dead. So it is not befitting of us to do wrong to His compassion and fatherhood! God in His fatherhood teaches and instructs: “Blessed is the man whom you instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law” (Psalm 94: 12). And being Almighty and whole wisdom, and because of the inability of the human mind, to realize the divine plan, He does not explain what is behind his teaching and instruction. That is why it is befitting of the believer to receive and accept the teaching of God, and not dare to assume that he can teach Him; … “Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who 129 taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the balance. Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing” (Isaiah 40: 13-15). And the apostle says: “For who has known the mind of the Lord, Or who has become His counselor?” (Romans 11: 34); and: “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2; 16). God teaches, but commits no one to receive His teachings (22-23). According to Democritus, Medicine heals the infirmities of the body; whereas wisdom relieves the soul of its worries … The good Teacher – the Wisdom – namely, the incarnated Word of the Father, cares for the whole nature of His creation. He is the Physician of mankind, who covers every thing; who heals the soul and the body together1. The heavenly Logos, is called the ‘Savior’, when He calls mankind to salvation….But, being a Physician, He is called a ‘Healer’. The sick soul needs a ‘Healer’ to alleviate her sufferings; then a ‘Teacher’ to give her reasoning…. The ‘Logos’, intending to grant us salvation, step by step, follows a magnificent scheme: He saves, then heals, then teaches2. Who is He? He is the Word of Truth, the Word of noncorruption; who renews man, bringing him back to truth. He is the Spur or goad provoking to salvation. He is the Destroyer of perdition, and the Chaser of death. He is the Builder of God’s temple in men; who sets out of them a dwelling place for God. The sick need a Savior The lost need a Guide. The blind need someone to lead them to light. The thirsty need a living Fountain; He who drinks from it, would never thirst. 1 Paedagogus 1: 4. 2 Paedagogus 1:1. 130 The dead need life. The sheep need a Shepherd. The children need a Teacher. And all humanity needs Jesus1. St. Clement of Alexandria A great Teacher came down to earth; the whole world got enlightened by His teaching; lest anyone may covet anymore the vain possessions (the first message). St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi Although Moses, Joshua, and all the prophets were all lawmakers; Yet no one among them is like that Mediator. Pope Gregory the Great Jesus appears to everyone according to his own need. To those who need joy, He comes to them as the Vineyard; To those who need to be in the presence of the Father, He comes to them as the ‘Door’; To those who pray, they find Him as the Intercessor, and the High Priest; And to the sinners, He is the Lamb, slain for the sake of their souls. For everyone, He is everything, with no change in His nature; He remains as He is, unchangeable in His fatherhood, yet adapts Himself according to our weakness; as a great Physician, or a compassionate Teacher2. St. Cyril of Jerusalem “Who has assigned Him His way, or who has said, ‘You have done wrong?’” (Job 36: 23). Will God who ordain the world, and who care for the entire creation, take instructions from any man? Will any man commit Him to do anything? God always does what is right; He never does wrong! ‘Job’ dared to tell God what He should have done! (Job 34: 10, 13) 1 Paed. 2:9. 2 Catech. Lect. 10:5. 131 How could He be reproached, He whose works are unsearchable? As nobody can judge in something he does not know; we should rather keep silent under His ordinances, as long as we do not realize their causes! Pope Gregory the Great 5- HOW GREAT ARE GOD’S WORKS! “Remember to magnify His work, of which men have sung” (Job 36: 24). Instead of accusing God, you should praise and glorify Him in His works (Psalm 111: 2-8; Revelation 15; 3); By which you can realize, through His unseen and unrealized works, how He is both wise and good; according to the words of the apostle: “For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1: 20). Being called upon to have an eternal fellowship with the heavenly creatures, to be counted as occupying the grade from which the Satan has fallen; We are committed to train ourselves on the inner praise to God, and on glorifying Him perpetually on His dealings with us. The Holy Book sometimes calls the angels “men”; and sometimes, as well, calls the perfect men as such. But calling the angel “man”, is testified by Daniel, who says: “While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision …” (Daniel 9: 21). Men sing to the Lord, when the high Spirits, namely, the perfect teachers, demonstrate to us the might of God; Yet even those who preach Him, and honor His un-searchable ordinances; Although they Know Him, whom they preach; Yet they do not know the cause of His works. Although, by grace they know Him, who has created them, Yet they cannot realize His ordinances, that are beyond their understanding. Testifying that the mighty God is not clearly seen in His works, the Psalmist says: “He made darkness His secret place” (Psalm 18: 11} 132 Pope Gregory the Great “Everyone has seen it; man looks on it from afar” (Job 36: 25). When every man looks at the seen creation, he would see in it the wisdom and might of God. So it is befitting of us to see God’s wisdom and might through His works, to realize what the men of God did, when they said: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How un-searchable are His judgment and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11: 33). Being a rational creature, it would be befitting for man to use reason to deduce that he is created by God, whose authority he can recognize through his mind. But, when he says, “Everyone has seen it”; he truly adds, “Man looks at it from afar”. Looking at Him from afar, is looking at Him as being present, not by His Person; but to meditate in, and praise His works. Pope Gregory the Great “Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; Nor the number of His years be discovered” (Job 36: 26). God has full authority, un-searchable, eternal, His existence has no fixed time, and our knowledge of Him is partial (1 Corinthians 13: 12); because He is unlimited (Psalm 90: 2; 102: 24, 27). He tells us about being eternal and everlasting, in human language, so as to be able to perceive it. “The number of His years could not be discovered; He does not submit to time, as He is the Creator of time. God is everywhere; He is present even to those who do not see Him. He says it well, that He exalts beyond our knowledge, although He said before that “Everyone sees Him” (25); namely, that, even though He is seen by the mind, Yet our senses cannot penetrate His greatness. What we know about the splendor of His greatness is just a little; and the more we think that we pernceive His power, we get further from knowing it. He may take our mind up high, Yet He exalts by the hugeness of His greatness. We know 133 Him only partially, when we feel that we are helpless to know Him through our unworthiness. Pope Gregory the Great 6- THE WHIRLWIND AND THE RAIN: “For He draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist” (Job 36: 27). Here Elihu presents a practical example lived by man; namely, how water evaporates from the sea, then drops as rain used in agriculture. By His wisdom, God draws the vapor to become clouds, moved by wind, than turn into tiny drops of rain that fall for the benefit of man and animals. He, who planned everything with measure and weight; Who, according to ‘Job’ “Counts the number of rain drops” (Job 36: 27 LXX); Who knows to what extent He proceeds with His work; And to what extent He allows the fire to consume (the world) 1. St. Basil the Great There are two kinds of righteous in this holy church: Those who live uprightly, but do not know how to teach righteousness to others; Like dry weather; they offer light to others by the example of their life, Yet they do not drop the rain of the word of preaching. And those who live uprightly and rain that uprightness on others by the word of preaching, to change their life through the worthiness of their life. These are called ‘stars of rain’ as were Moses, and Isaiah, who saw the light of truth, held fast to it, and watered on the dryness of the lack of faith, by the proclamation of the word of prophecy. When God stopped sending prophets, and there was no more preaching of the literal law, as said by Jeremiah: “There is no more stars of rain, nor later rain”; He replaced them by apostles, to rain as though from whirlwinds. Pope Gregory the Great 1 Hexameron, homily 3: 5. 134 Lately, we were swept by mighty floods, that caused great devastation. Can you count the drops of rain that have fallen on this city? Or can you even count the drops of rain that have fallen on you house, just for one hour? I am sure you cannot! Therefore, you better acknowledge your weakness, and the might of God who can count the drops of rain that fall and have fallen on the whole world, now, but through all times. The sun is created by God, and with its greatness, it is nothing more than a spot in heaven. Now look carefully at the sun, then meditate in the Creator of the sun. “Reflect upon what you have been commanded, for what is hidden is not your concern. Do not meddle in matters that are beyond you” (Sirach 3: 22, 23)1. St. Cyril of Jerusalem “Which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man” (Job 36: 28). In the Septuagint version it came as: “Rain drop and the clouds cover a multitude of people. Animals are given to know where to dwell. When you meditate in these matters, do not you feel that your heart and mind are ready to leap out of your body?! The clouds receive the vapor ascending toward the sky, and then give it back as drops of rain that pour down on multitudes of creatures for their benefit. This phenomenon which normally happens in the world, and is realized with no one thinking about it, is one of the laws of nature without number, set by God for the sake of the benefit of man and beasts. He granted the animals of the wilderness to choose their dwelling places where the water abound, by rain or springs, although they are counted as irrational creatures, incapable of thinking or planning. “Which the clouds drop down” (28). In the Holy Book, the clouds sometimes refer to people with unstable mind, about whom Solomon says: “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11: 4). He also refers to the unclean spirit as ‘wind’, and those who 1 Catechetical Lectures, 6:4. 135 submit to him as ‘clouds’, whom he pushes around here and there by the storms of his suggestions. ‘Clouds’ also refer to the prophets; as according to the psalmist, referring to the hidden wisdom in the prophets: “(God) made darkness His secret place, His canopy around Him dark waters and thick clouds of the sky” (Psalm 18: 11). ‘Clouds’ also refer to the apostles; as said by Isaiah: “I will command the clouds that they rain no rain on it” (Isaiah 5: 6). They are ‘stars’, who shine by the worthiness of their life; And they are ‘clouds’, who water the thirsty land of our hearts by the streams of heavenly knowledge. If they are not clouds, the prophet would not say, when he looks at them: “Who are those who fly like the clouds?” (Isaiah 6: 8) “And cover everything from above” (28). When the clouds are thick, If we raise our eyes to heaven, We, being carnal-minded, do not see heaven but we only the clouds. Seeking to search spiritual things, our reason is not allowed to cross over to divine things, unless they are conformed as examples of prior saints. Although our eyes look up to heaven, yet they see only through the clouds; although they may seek things concerning God, yet all they can only manage is to reach those concerning men. Look, how we are flared with zeal toward dedication to the Lord and His love; Yet in this dedication, we are conformed by meditating in those clouds…. Who could be dedicated more than Peter? And who could be filled with love like John? We are also covered by the life of the early fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and David); who are clouds that cover and water us, to produce an abundance of fruits. When we look up toward heaven, we first see those clouds; look with marvel to those good examples, before we attempt to go deep into the heavenly issues. Yet the life and virtues of those clouds, namely, of those early fathers, would not be open before our eyes, if not shown by other clouds; namely, through the light of preaching of the apostles. Pope Gregory the Great 136 “Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, the thundering from His canopy?” (Job 36: 29). Elihu wonders; who can understand the secret of the spreading of clouds, and the loud noise of thunder (Psalm 18; 11; Isaiah 40: 22; Psalm 105: 39). At the beginning of history, man couldn’t conceive the secrets behind these natural phenomena. But now, with the progress of knowledge, almost everything is clear before his eyes. Yet, together with his immense awe toward the amazing Creator, he is convinced that whatever is the extent of his scientific progress, it will still remain difficult, if not impossible, for him to have complete control over the natural phenomena. “See, how he scatters His lightning around Him, and covers the roots of the sea” (Job 36: 30). The Jews have long seen in the clouds, thunder, and lightning -- wonders that testify to the might and care of God: The clouds spreading like a canopy or tent (pavilion) over the earth; and the lightning that form within the clouds, scattering light through them; forming together a very exciting and magnificent portrait of natural phenomena; amazingly described by the psalmist, saying: “O Lord, You are wrapped in light as with a garment, You stretch out the heavens like a tent, You set the beams of Your chambers on the waters, You make the clouds Your chariot, You ride on the wings of the wind” (Psalm 104: 3, 4). While revealing the falling of rain by the lightning through the clouds, He lets the abundant rain pour into the seas to cover their depths. The hand of God stretches high in heaven among the dense clouds; on the earth by the pouring of rain; And on the depths of the seas. He is the Almighty God! The Lord spreads His clouds as a tent, when He opens the way of preaching before His ministers, to spread them everywhere in the world. … He spread them as a ‘tent’, which is normally set during a journey, when He sent the saintly preachers to the world to pave a road for the Lord. On this 137 journey, the hearts of the saints are the tents that create a protective cover along that journey. These clouds are indeed called ‘tents’, As God, coming to us with His grace, is dwelling in the hearts of His preachers. Pope Gregory the Great “For by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance” (Job 36: 31) While using the clouds, the rain, the dew, the winds, the storms, the hurricanes, the tornadoes, the thunder, the lightning, the draught, and the floods, for chastisement and edification; for the sake of His compassion on man; God uses the same phenomena to present to mankind and animals, an abundance of food and drink. The Psalmist says: “You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing” (Psalm 65: 11-13); And the apostle says: “Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14: 17). “For by these, He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance to the mortals” (31). By the words of preachers; namely, the words of the clouds, and through the lightning of miracles; God judges the peoples; calling their terrified hearts to repentance. Listening to those heavenly things, and watching those miraculous works, they become grieved in their hearts over their past evils, and will fear the eternal punishment. Pope Gregory the Great 7- A SONG TO PRAISE THE MIGHTY WISDOM OF GOD: “He covers His hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike” (Job 36: 32). By the lightning God chastens the wicked, and by the light He shines on the righteous. 138 With that immensely swift lightning, on which we have no authority, God covers His hands, and directs it wherever He wants. It is a natural tool in His hands that would never move except through His command. If God denies the haughty His light, Yet His grace allows for them to go through temptations, to let them return to Him in repentance, in order to get the benefit of His light. “He denies the mighty His light” (32). The mighty are actually those who boast haughty thoughts, against whom Isaiah says: “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight” (Isaiah 5: 21); and whom the apostle Paul warns, saying: “Do not be wise in your own opinion” (Romans 12: 16). He hides His light; namely, the knowledge of truth from those boasting haughty, many of whom we find in the church. Pope Gregory the Great “His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach” (Job 36: 33). Thunder that accompanies the lightning, and testifies to the great authority of God and His compassion on His whole creation, announces the coming storm to the irrational cattle. Through instinct, they flee and find a shelter for themselves. Man, on the other hand, may see evil approaching him, and would not flee from it. 139 AN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF JOB 36 TEACH AND INSTRUCT ME, HOW TO ENJOY YOU Teach me, O the amazing heavenly Teacher; As although Your hand may seem firm, Yet Your heart is spacious with Your love for me; You are the wise and mighty Father. You may allow for Your children to go through affliction; But You would never allow for the rod of sinners to fall on them. You carry them in You. You raise them from the trash heap, to sit together with the elite of Your people. The wicked stretch their hands on me; They think that You do not see or care; By Your love, You may allow for oppression, yet for a limited time. To prepare my depths for exalted glories. To prepare me to become a king, who enjoys Your eternal kingdom. The wicked think that they have bound me with the chains of oppression. They cannot realize that I become rather more free. To set forth with my depths to be with You. Amid the affliction, when I listen to Your voice; My soul gets filled with joy, And my heart rejoices. When I discover my sins, my soul moans; But, when I see You the Savior of the world, I attach myself to your cross. Amid the humiliation of the world, You open my ears by Your Holy Spirit; To enjoy Your divine promises’ 140 And to bring my heart over from narrowness to a wider space, My soul becomes spacious by love, even for my oppressors. Entering into the banquet of love, To enjoy the richness of Your food, My soul gets fulfilled by You. Instead of complaining of the multitudes of my oppressors, My soul rejoices in You. And would never stop offering sacrifices of thanksgiving. Acquiring You, O the heavenly Treasure, The gold of the world turns in my eyes into dust. And the riches of the world into naught. Who is like You, an amazing Teacher? Teaching me Your commandment; Instructing me on Your love; Carrying me in You; And bringing me up to the throne of Your grace? Who is a Teacher like You, O the heavenly Father? You let me become one of Your disciples. To encounter You as a Teacher, who opens before me the treasures of Your knowledge. To heal the wounds of my soul, heart, and mind. To raise me from the death of sin, and grant me eternity. To take away my reproach, and provide me with the fellowship of the heavenly glory. To open up my eyes, so as not to stumble in the valley of this world. To water me by Your Holy Spirit, so as not to thirst to the life of this world. Who can search Your wisdom, O the amazing wisdom of God? Can the clay debate with the potter? Can the man made of dust realize the secrets of the heavenly Creator? Yet, in Your fatherhood and Your humility, You demand from me to debate You! 141 To talk to You, and enjoy conversing with You! Blow like a whirlwind on my soul, to fill it with strength. Pour the rain of Your Holy Spirit on my wilderness, to turn it into a paradise. Shine with Your light on me, to scatter my darkness. Glory is to You, O my loving and good Teacher!
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