A NEW ROUND OF TEMPTATIONS If the angels, the sons of God, appear before god longing to serve Him in His beloved mankind; the devil, as well, would not stand tight-handed, but would go to and fro on earth, declaring war against God in humanity. In the first chapter, the author presented the first round of the battle between Satan and ‘Job’, in which ‘Job’ ended up victorious. Now, the devil persists on entering a new round; in which he keeps aiming his arrows against the children of God, even if these arrows get back at him. The first temptation touched Job’s possessions, his sons, and his daughters. Now it is going to touch his whole body except for his tongue. Moreover, Satan used Job’s wife the way he previously used Eve in paradise to seduce Adam. And finally he used Job’s friends who came to comfort him. 1- Entering into a new round of temptations 1 - 6 2- Another Adam in the midst of the ashes. 7 - 8 3- Job’s wife tempts him. 9 - 10 4- Job’s three friends come to comfort him. 11–12 1- ENTERING A NEWROUND OF TEMPTATIONS: ; and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord (Job 2: 1) The enemy came to get a permission for more temptations against 'Job', more severe and more bitter; As the great dragon “accuses mankind before the Lord day and night” (Revelation 12: 10). “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord” (1). Why does the author persist on presenting their coming before the Lord in this way again and again? It is for us to realize that no event escapes the divine care; that the angels give an account of the events of every day; and that every day they are sent to accomplish certain tasks, something we may not realize this; as for this purpose they are created; according to the words of the apostle Paul: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrew 1: 14). Now you can see why the angels came; But did he (Satan) come? He came to get the permission to consummate his mission to tempt ‘Job’ once more. Besides, He had to be questioned in the presence of the angels; on account that he dared to say to the Lord in front of them: “He will curse You to Your face” (Job 1: 11). What a shame! How could he dare to show his face again among them? St. John Chrysostom “And the Lord said to Satan: ‘From where do you come?’ So Satan answered the lord and said: ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it’” (Job 2: 2) His answer came exactly like he did the last time; as though he did not harm anyone; and as though it is his right to do whatever he likes to everybody. But he does not admit that he did anything wrong! Satan intended by his temptation to bring 'Job' to death; But ‘Job’, through it, gained more growth in his life; Although, being defeated in the first round caused much grief to our old enemy, yet he prepared himself to direct new 2 attacks against ‘Job’. As the evil one cannot believe in the existence of good, even if it is proved to him through his own experience; He dared to accuse him again. “From where do you come?” (2). it is as though God says to him: [See, You are defeated by one man, despite the weakness in his body; then you dare to stand before Me, the Creator of all]. Pope Gregory the Great “So Satan answered”. This means that he was allowed to open his mouth to speak, and answered, saying: [I have elaboratly covered the whole earth, set my snares everywhere; and set my traps all over the earth. Although very one got fed up with them; yet there is no way out of my captivity. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem Notice how Satan walks back and forth every moment on the earth! The prophet Zechariah tells us that the angels, as well, walk to and fro throughout the earth (Zechariah 1: 10-11); that miserable creature, Satan, persists on walking to bring upon himself more and more condemnations; and for us to be more cautious and alert. That is why he is called: “The ruler of the darkness of this age” (Ephesians 6: 12). Speak up, O Satan, What have you done? He answers: “From going to and fro on earth” And here I am! What have you achieved? As he achieved nothing good, he did not answer! St. John Chrysostom “Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil. And still he holds fast to integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause’” (Job 2: 3) Again, the divine Judge Himself comes to the defense of the accused and to commend him. There was no way that the Just Judge would not utter those word; as He was indeed incited against 'Job' without cause. But because He is both just and is the Truth, He does both things: He does justice, and utters the truth. Yet we can say that ‘Job’ was not struck without cause; for, without the temptations he went through, others would not get such an example of virtue and perseverance. Pope Gregory the Great ‘Job’ was not shaken; and did not retreat from the steadfastness of his faith1. St. Augustine Pope Gregory the Great, believes that ‘Job’ symbolizes the Person of the lord Christ who accepted the passion (the wrath) without cause; and suffered without cause; Yet as a Savior and a redemptive Intercessor for us, He suffered with a cause; namely, to purify us of our sins by His blood. Why is he resuming the attack? What should we learn from this? Even if we fall a thousand times, Satan will keep on attacking us, but will not hesitate to go on fighting. S. John Chrysostom 1On Ps. 13 (12). 3 “So Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has, he will give for his life’” (Job 2: 4) This proverb, well-known in the old days of ‘Job’; to express that man evaluates his own life above every other thing in the world, has several interpretations. It might refer to an old custom by which a hungry hunter exchanges or even gives up all the skins of animals he caught, for food to save his life. That proverb expresses that man would accept all losses, to avoid losing what is greater; namely, his own life. And according to a Turkish proverb, ‘It is fitting for us to give up even our beard to save or life’1. Satan intended to crush ‘Job’s personality by saying: “Skin for skin”. He meant that man does not care for whatever losses, even if it comes to his own children, as long as he personally is healthy, and nothing touches his skin; But he would get mad, and loses his faith and mind, if someone touches his skin. He is own skin; like an ostrich that treats her young as though they are not her own. He is naturally selfish, and is only preoccupied with his health, comfort, and the safety of his own body. By saying that, Satan means that man’s only interest is himself, and everything else is of secondary importance... Based on this principle, he intends to catch him. Let us, brethren, not be ashamed to learn even from Satan; that it is befitting, and only natural for man, to give up everything for the sake of his life; And that, as long as wealth does not represent much importance, let us then give it up for the sake of our life. St. John Chrysostom Notice how our adversary is crafty, and violent in sin;... how he can discern between the outer and the inner aspects of things. He knows that even the philosophers of this world, call the outer aspects ‘adiafora’; namely, of no value; and how they believe that the perfect virtue is not set upon the existence or the loss of those outer aspect; that the inner ones are of more value; and their loss may cause unavoidable distress. That is why, he dared to contradict God, and proclaimed that ‘Job’ is not at all worthy of any commendation by God; as he was not exposed to a temptation that touches his own skin, but only touches what is outside him; and that he was ready to give his skin instead of those of his children; and his wealth to guarantee his own health2. St. Jerome “But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face” (Job 2: 5) Satan asked God to stretch His hand to strike Job’s bone and flesh; for the thorn in the flesh is extremely painful to endure without the grace of Christ (2 Corinthians 12: 7-9). “So the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life’” (Job 2: 6) This phrase “Spare his life” could be understood that the temptation should be only within limits, and not meant to destroy him. In other words, temptations are meant to reveal man's weakness; lets him be humble before God, and keeps him from being haughty; But if it surpasses the limit of man’s endurance, he would probably 1 James M. Freeman: Manners and Customs of the Bible, Logos International Plainfield. N J, 1972, p. 207- 208. 2 Letters, 118:3. 4 end up falling into despair and depression, and his soul would perish because of loss of faith. By saying, “Spare his life”, the Lord puts limitation to temptation; namely, not to reach up to death; For He knows for sure that Satan, after leading him to blasphemy, might intend to kill his victim at one of the moments of his weakness. Some interpret the phrase “Spare his life”, as ‘Spare his mind’; namely God allowed Satan to tempt ‘Job’ through the ailments of the body, but not through any loss of his mind. St. John Chrysostom comments on this phrase, by drawing our attention to the extent of Satan's weakness. Although he is like a fierce beast with no body; yet he could not approach to tempt a human being with a body, except by permission from God. “Spare his life”; namely, ‘Do not kill him’. We understand from this, that Satan’s authority is conditioned by permission and denial; moreover, the expression “Spare his life” is stronger than ‘Do not kill him’. Therefore you should not fear Satan, even when he has no body, as he approaches your body; for there is no one weaker than him; and there is no one stronger than his brave and daring victim, even though he carries a body prone to death!1. St. John Chrysostom) God told the enemy “Behold, he is in your hand” (2: 6); namely, the same person is in the hand of God, and in the hand of Satan as well. But, how could it be said to Satan “Spare his life”; when his intention is always to destroy? Sparing life implies not daring to destroy it. When we pray to God the Father, saying: “Do not lead us into temptation”; God leads nobody into temptation; but covers everyone with His mercy, to protect them from temptation. If He does not protect us from the seductions of temptation, He would be as though leading us into it. By keeping us from being tempted beyond our endurance, He is as though keeping us from falling into the snares of temptation. It is said to Satan to “spares our life”, when he is committed not to overcome us by his temptation. Pope Gregory the Great Now, I give you the right to turn everything for him upside down; ... I deliver him into your hand (2: 6); Yet not to change his spirit (his mind), to have authority on his will, or to break down his freedom of decision; Because if you do that, you would easily overcome him; and it would be an unfair battle ... You surely wish to approach the life of a righteous man; But you cannot do that, for fear of coming under the law of the great King; the Guardian of the flock, who would never forsake them to the mercy of the wolf! I deliver to your hand the life of those you envy; yet not to do with them as you wish, but to act within my laws, and with the fear of my will. I set you as his keeper, and I will hold you responsible, and will condemn you if you set a trap for his life. This protective measure goes hand in hand with the permission to strike; The divine ordinance would be realized through protection; While seeming to forsake His elect servant, He is keeping him... He delivered His saint in the hand of the 1 Resisting the Temptation of the Devil, homily 2:4. 5 adversary (Job 2: 6); while his soul is kept in the hand of God; As he is among the flock about whom, the divine Truth says in the gospel: “No one shall snatch them out of My hand” (John 10: 28) Moreover, about ‘Lucifer’, Isaiah says: “O Lucifer, son of the morning”; then directly adds, “You are cut down to the ground” (Isaiah 14: 12); referring to that he would never restore his past honor. By falling from heaven to earth, he intended to destroy man; yet God gives those who are not deceived, the authority to trample over the traitor by their feet, and to break him down to pieces. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem The unclean spirit has no authority over men; which is obvious from his struggle against the righteous ‘Job’. God gave him the authority over his body ; saying to him: “Behold, he is in your hand; but spare his life” (2: 6); namely, ‘Do not weaken his spirit, make him mad, or control his memory and his mind; strangling his inner capacities’1. Fathere Cerinus The body of that righteous man was delivered into the hand of Satan ; Yet he was denied his mental capacities. Because the sin resulting from the misuse of those capacities would stay at his door; not out of his desire to commit it, as much as having lost the balance of his mind2. St. Jerome St. Ambrose presents to us a wonderful interpretation of this phrase, in his talk about St. Paul following the lead of God: "He whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son He receives” (Hebrew 12: 6). Yet in chastening him, according to the Scripture: “The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death” (Psalm 118: 18). The apostle St. Paul teaches us not to forsake those who commit a sin to death; but we should commit them to the bread of tears (of repentance). Yet their grief should within reason, as is meant by saying: “I let them drink tears with measure” (Psalm ). Their grief should be within limit; lest the repentant would be swallowed by extreme grief. As the apostle said to the Corinthians: “What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and the spirit of gentleness?” (1 Corinthians 4: 21). He uses the rod, yet without cruelty; according to the Scripture: “You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell” (Proverbs 23: 14). What the apostle means by the rod is revealed in his condemnation of the sin of adultery (1 Corinthians 5: 1); warning against sexual immorality with relatives, whom man is not allowed to marry; rebuking those who got puffed up instead of being grieved; And about the one who was caught guilty of that sin, he commanded that has to be separated from the congregation. And be delivered to Satan; not for the perdition of his soul, but for that of his flesh. In this, Paul is following the lead of the Lord who denied Satan the authority over Job's spirit , but allowed him to touch his flesh (Job 2: 6). Paul delivered the sinner, not to the perdition of the spirit, but to that of the flesh; namely, "for the serpent to lick the dust of his body' (Micah 7: 17). Let us now meditate in St. Paul's words. He said that the man guilty of that horrible sin should be delivered to the devil for the perdition of the flesh; namely, to 1 St. Cassian: Conferences 7:12:3. 2 Letters, 118:3. 6 be delivered to the one who tempts us through bringing ailments to our bodies; like what he did when he struck the blessed ‘Job’ with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head; having been allowed by God, who said to him; “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life” (2: 6). The same thing St. Paul did, when he commanded the sinner to be delivered to the devil for the perdition of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 5: 5). How great is this authority!! And how great is this gift; through which Satan destroys him by himself. By provoking him to tempt man, he is actually making him stronger in spirit. The weaker his body becomes, the stronger his spirit grows; for the weakness of the body resists sin; whereas the enjoyment of pleasure flares up its fire. Satan is deceived through wounding himself by the strokes he inflicted upon himself; through fighting against himself by his intention to weaken the sinner. By wounding 'Job', Satan has actually provided him with stronger weapons. Inflicting him with painful boils made him more capable of enduring the strokes of Satan, without getting affected by his poison; according to the Lord’s own words: “Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook... Will you play with him as with a bird. Or will you leach him for your maidens... Lay your hand on him” (Job 41: 5). Notice how Paul ridicules satan; to make him look like the child mentioned in the prophecy, who put his hand on the serpent, and was not harmed. He drew him out of his hiding place, and turned his venom into a spiritual medication against venoms; turned the venom intended to destroy the body, into a cure for the spirit. Therefore, I will let the serpent strike everything earthly in me (in my body); I wil letl it bite my body, and turn it blue; to be told bythe righteousness about me:: “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life” (Job 2: 6). How amazing is the might of God! He delivers the keeping of man's soul into the hand of Satan who intends to destroy him!!... Through His commandments, the Lord made Satan the keeper of His flock... Against his own will, Satan became an executioner of the commandments of heaven; And despite his cruelty, he abides to the commandments of meekness!1. St. Ambrose 2- ANOTHER ADAM IN THE MIDST OF THE ASHES: “Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job 2: 7). As soon as he got the divine permission, Satan hastened to strike Job’s body with a terrible sickness, he did not inflict him with just one boil, or even a few, but “with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (7); which made him unable to walk, sit, or stand, or even to lie down on his side, back, or belly. His whole body except for his tongue, was covered with painful boils. Even the stray dogs, that licked the sores of poor Lazarus (Luke 16: 21), refrained from licking Job's boils;. The scholar Origin comments on the divine promise: “If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give heed to his commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians” (Exodus 15: 26), one of which was the boils; So why was it brought upon ‘Job’? The boils of the heathen Egyptians were 1On Repentance. 7 spiritual; namely, their weaknesses toward the world, and everything in it; of which I pray to God to heal us; and to keep away from us1. “All things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8; 28). The righteous ‘Job’ was tempted by all things: In an instant he lost his sons and daughters, his house, his servants, and all his possessions; he is no longer a father, nor a master; he no longer has one single sound member in his body, except for his tongue. struck job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job 2: 7). Notice how the tempter left only Job's tongue; because by it, he may probably blaspheme against the Lord his God. Yet, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2: 10). Contemplate in the greatness of his virtue. Contemplate how the saying of the apostle was realized in him: “All things work together for good for those who love God”.... Contemplate in the fact that, before the temptation, God never spoke to ‘Job’; whereas after it, God came to him, and spoke to him like a friend! I wish all tribulations would come upon me; as long as the Lord Christ will come to me once they happen2. St. Jerome It is probably because my Creator knows that I am much too weak to endure, He did not give Satan authority upon my body; although I wish He does. Although I present myself, ready to receive a temptation in my body, Yet God does not count me worthy of this honor; although He tempted me with several other kinds of minor temptations. ‘Job’, on the other hand did not start, but ended with that kind of temptation3. St. Ambrose “And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes” (Job 2: 8). What is this ‘potsherd’ (a broken piece of pottery), with which he scraped his itching boil-covered body, but the use of earthly temporal ways to heal the soul. Instead of using true comforts and real cures, a person uses a potsherd that may cause more inflammation to his boils, and could brig upon the body fatal infection. By attempting to treat our spiritual ailments by human ways, away from the grace of God, we may end up with more destruction to our souls. ‘Job’ became a symbol of the lord Christ; he had nowhere to lay his head; and had to lie down with his boil-covered body on ashes; mocked even by his friends. The same way, the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head; and had nothing but to rise on the cross with all the passions in his body; rejected by His own (John 1; 11). Like ‘Job’ who did not ascend a mountain, but sat on ashes, to enjoy his conquest over Satan, glorifying the Lord his God; So also our Lord Christ, the Savior of the world, found comfort in the humble, and the contrite of heart, to set out of them a temple for Himself. “He has chosen the foolish of the world to put to shame the wise. And God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world, and the things which are despised God has chosen , and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are” (1 Corinthians 1: 27-28). 1 Cf. On Exodus, homily 7. 2On Ps., homily 6. 3 Epistle 20 to his sister, 16. 8 ‘Job’ found no one to have compassion on him, nor to bandage or to anoint his wounds and boils; his friends probably could not bear the awful smell of his rotting sores. Finding no piece of cloth by which to cleanse his wounds, he had to use a potsherd to scrape them; giving him more painful than the sickness itself. He finally proclaimed: “My flesh is caked with worms and dust” (Job 7: 5). He probably sat on the ashes, while his body was covered with boils, causing them to become more infected; as sign of humility and repentance. In the Septuagint version, it came as “He sat on ashes outside the city”. Pope Gregory the Great says: [We should not marvel that the one God Himself so commendef, ends up sitting on the ashes; the way He allowed for St. John the Baptist, to whom He testified, saying that, among those born by women, no one is greater than him, to pay his life as a price of a dance by a harlot. He allows this to press His saints down, in order to reward them in the highs. On the outside, He brings them down to the lowest possible level, so that inwardly, He would lift them up to un-expressible highs. Pope Gregory the Great If all the human remedies could not cure him, perseverance and faith could. He sat on ashes, while his soul was wandering in paradise1. St. Jerome He was brought down from his royal chair to sit on ashes. Yet with so many tribulations, he stayed intact. Although his body was torn apart, yet, in the depths of his soul, he still kept a treasure of piety2. St. Basil the Great You are full of sores, Yet, you are beautiful! You are wounded, but healthy! You sit on ashes, but reign in heaven! .... I wish we would strife to follow your lead3! Father Caesarius, Bishop of Arl Don’t you see how he reached the extreme of poverty? Don’t you agree that no one could be compared to him? Who could be poorer than someone naked, homeless, and sitting on ashes?! In case you find yourselves in such poverty; If you just think about the sufferings of that righteous man; You would soon dismiss every thought of grief and despair. Who has ever reached such level of misery? No one! ...His body was steadily fading.... Worms were incessantly creeping out of his wounds. A horrible stench surrounds him, and makes even his food loathsome to him (Job 6: 7). Someone may probably say: He should have great comfort to know that it is God who brings upon him all these tribulations. But it was actually disturbing and confusing to think that the righteous God, whom he had so long served in every possible way, has entered into a war against him! Feeling guilty, he says: “Once I have spoken, but no answer; Yes, twice, and I will proceed no further” (40: 5).; And “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; 1On Ps., homily 73. 2On Detachment. 3 Sermons, 114: 6. 9 But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in the dust and ashes” (job 42: 5-6). If you happen to consider that to be enough for comfort, you may try to experience that same kind of comfort.; But if you do not suffer something of that sort on the hand of God, but you do suffer from the haughtiness of men; Then, thank God, and do not blaspheme Him, who can keep them away from you. And in case He allows them to stay that way, it may probably be to test you; So If you happen to endure with piety, some tribulations from other people, so allowed by God, you would be crowned as well1. The wounds of that righteous man ‘Job’, became more precious than pearls... Just imagine that fighter sitting in the middle of mire; like a golden statue studded with precious stones. I cannot find a better analogy to that body covered with blood; Its nature is too precious to be compared to anything; His wounds are more shining than the rays of the sun; The rays of the sun may shed light on the physical eyes; Whereas those of his wounds shed theirs on the eyes of the soul! And strike Satan with utter blindness2. Can you realize, dear friends, the greatness of the reward of that temptation? His body that was once fit and sound; yet, when with wounds, it becomes more dignified! A king sitting on his throne is not as famous as this man, honorably sitting in the middle of mire… The royal throne will end by death; whereas the mire will be followed by the kingdom of heaven3. Why was he sitting on ashes? To hide beneath the trash, his fall (even to death)! Why did he go outside the city gates? To find a little comfort! For if he shut himself up in a closed chamber, its air would soon get corrupted; and he would suffocate by the stench of his sores. Realizing that his sufferings are beyond any human intervention; and that, through them, God intend to give others a lesson, he was not offended to become a laughing stock to all. St. John Chrysostom Anyway, ‘Job’ did the right thing to sit on a heap of trashes... For his fading body, it self, turned into trash, containing the same constituents as trash. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem 3- JOB’S WIFE TEMPTS HIM: “Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold to your integrity? Curse4 God and die!” (Job 2: 9) In the Septuagint version it came: ‘after a long time has passed, his wife said to him: How long shall you endure?’ He answered her, saying: ‘Here I am waiting a little longer, having hope in salvation’. And it also came that his wife moved from one household to another, searching for a refuge. Some Jews believe that Job’s wife was ‘Dinah’ the daughter of Jacob. 1 Resisting the Temptations of the Devil, homily 3:5-6. 2 Concerning the Statues, homily 5: 1-2. 3 Concerning the Statues, homily 5: 3. 4 في الترجمة البیروتیة "بارك" كنوعٍ من الحیاء ألا یُفال "جدف". 10 The enemy used to strike believers by members of their own household; As he did with Adam using his wife Eve; And with David, using his wife Michal, who mocked him. He even used the apostle Peter against his Master, the Lord Christ; Hearing Him talking about crucifixion, he said to Him “Far be it from You, Lord; this will not happen to you. But He turned and said to Peter: Get behind Me, Satan; You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16: 22, 23). The righteous ‘Job’ commenting on how his wife looked at him, says: “My breath is offensive to my wife; and I am repulsive to the children of my own body” (Job 19: 17). The only things Satan left for ‘Job,’ were his wife and his tongue. By his wife he tempted him; and by his tongue he hoped to hear him blaspheme God. Satan did not forget his old trick, when he deceived Adam through his woman; Now he is trying to do the same thing with ‘Job’. Yet he did not realize, that, if through a woman, one man–Adam – was gravely wounded; now, also through a woman -- the Virgin Mary -- the whole world is saved. The first woman caused us to be driven out of paradise; And the second one led us (by Christ her Son), to heaven1. St. Jerome “After a long time has passed” (Job 2: 9 LXX)... The Spirit, for our benefit, did not reveal the length of that time. For, if He proclaimed it in months and years, those who will be put under temptation in the future, would be depressed before reaching its end; They would count the days, nights, and even the hours; would concentrate on the passage of time; and many of them would fall into despair, assuming that God’s hand has not intervened from heaven, like it did with ‘Job’, after a certain time. The Spirit said: “After a long time”, to tell us that ‘Job’ was found, not only stronger than illness and sores, but even stronger than time. He struggled for a long time against physical sufferings; yet he remained unconquerable in battle. By that, the Spirit comforts us that however long the time of our temptation may be, our heart should stay Strong; as, eventually, “God’s right hand will hold us up” (Psalm 18: 35), the way ‘Job’ was saved from the fire of temptation “after a long time” Having found out that the righteous fighter has not softened off, Satan thought of using his wife; probably saying to himself: This man ‘Job’ could not be stronger than Adam. Although he is rich, yet he does not have ‘the paradise of God’; Although he is righteous, yet he did not have the “tree of life”; Although he is pious, yet Adam enjoyed talking with God; And although he possesses a great number of beasts, Adam, on the other hand, had all the animals of the earth at his disposal. So, If I managed to deprive Adam of all that through his wife, this man ‘Job’ will not be able to stand against the attacks of his wife!. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem He was left with his wife; yet, not as a comforter, but as an ally to Satan2. 1On Ps., homily 73. 2On Ps. 30, Discourse, 4, 12. 11 St. Augustine The consummation of this verse in the Septuagint version, came as follows: ‘See, your mention has been wiped out of the earth; Even your sons and daughters, the fruit of my labor, and the passion of my womb, whom I delivered by grief in vain, have all been lost. Here you are, spending your nights in open air, sittingin the midst of the corruption of worms. And I am left wandering as a maidservant from one place to another; and from a house to another; anticipating sunset to rest my aching body. “Say a word against God, and die” (Job 2: 9 B). Imagine that you lost your wealth that made you famous; or deprived of your portion of children; How can you be remembered on earth? When your riches are robbed, your possessions are destroyed; when you are left with no more sons or daughters; and consequently no more hope for grandchildren. It is as though Job’s wife says to him: In vain, you have planted the field of my womb! You are deprived of the fruit of what you have planted. And I am deprived of the fruit of my sorrows, of the labor of my breast, of the experience of womb of a pregnant woman, and of the unbearable pains of labor, that turn into a horrible memory! Therefore it is not just one sorrow, but many. Death reached the children of my womb; and the fruit of my body has perished to the abyss. Is it possible for me to hope for more children? How? And from whom? The one who plants; namely you, is no more, You yourself have become food for bugs! Father Hesychius of Jerusalem The more tribulations he brought over 'Job, Satan saw him grow stronger. That is why, having used all his ways, he resorted to his old weapon – the woman. Let her put on the mask of care; Present a dramatic portrait of what she is going through, Speak in a very compassionate tune; Then make her give a deadly counsel: “Curse God and die”. Still, he did not overcome! Yes, because that amazing man realized Satan's deceit; and with great wisdom, he muted the mouth of his wife, who was talking through his persuasion1. See how by her eloquence, Satan tried to deceive him. A long time has passed; not just days, but many months! 'How many more can you endure?!' Notice how crafty Satan is? as though to provoke the woman, he says to her: 'The way you managed to let the first man fall, you can surely finish the life of ‘Job'’. The first woman foolishly managed to seduce her weak man by putting the poison in good food. But ‘Job’, the wise man, has overcome his own nature... Therefore, do not assume that the matter concerns the woman or her counsel. Now, May I suggest to my congregation, not to take into consideration the dignity of men, but rather the nature of the counsel. Knowing that the woman was created to help man, and not to be an offense to him…. Satan did not let her say to her husband: ‘They died’, as was the common way 1 The Gospel of St. Matthew homily 13:6. 12 to express the grief among men; But, to express the magnitude of the tribulation, he let her say to him: ‘Your memory is wiped out!’ As though she intends to say: ‘What kind of change do you hope for? Is it possible to resume what you used to be? What is completely gone, can it come back to life?! Is it possible to have more children, to keep your memory on earth like regular humans?! Without descendents, you know for sure that you are no more than dead! Notice to what level she intended to lead him by her horrible counsel. She did not intend to provoke him to anger, as much as to make him feel sorry for himself! As though she intends to say to him: 'Day and night, there is no one under your roof to share your misery and suffering!'. As for me, your poor wife, There is no one to show compassion on me. After being in the company of a king, I became homeless, living in open air under the stars; wandering around the city, to be insulted by everyone. She did not say to him: ‘Blaspheme God...’, but said: “Curse God”. Why? Because she knows that once he does, he will die. What are you saying, woman? Whether God is, or is not, the source of these troubles; We should ask for His mercy, and not blaspheme Him!.St. John Chrysostom ‘Job’ lost his children and all his possessions, except for his wife (Job 1: 13-19); who was spared by Satan to tempt him! (Job 2: 9-10). By then, Job was covered allover with painful boils (Job 2: 7); and realized that his friends have come, not to comfort him but to increase his suffering, and to make them more intense! Notice the extent of authority that God gave to the adversary to tempt ‘Job’ (Job 2: 1-6). Although he felt that “the arrows of the Almighty are within him” (Job 6: 4). Yet, as a good fighter, he did not surrender to pain, but intended to go on fighting. What is my end, that I should prolong my life? What strength do I have, that I should hope? Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze? “That it would please God to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off! (Job 6: 9-14 LXX)1. St. Ambrose After everyone and everything has been taken away, including his own health, his wife was the only one spared, for one purpose: to be a snare to tempt him. That is actually the reason why Satan did not destroy her together with the children. He expected her to be his deadly tool to bring down that righteous man, once and for all. He said to himself: ‘If humanity was driven out of paradise through her, how handy she would be to bring this man down, when he is on a heap of trash!2. The buildings were the same (the one built on the rock, and the other built on the sand); so were the temptations; but the outcome was different, because of the difference in the foundation. The one built on the sand fell down because of the foolishness of the builder, and not because of the nature of the temptations. 1De interpellatione Job et David, Book ترجمة جرجس كامل . 1:2:4 2Homilies on 1 Corinthians, homily 28:5. 13 The talking here does not concern the building, as much as it concerns the soul; confirming that by her works, it would either heed the divine word or reject it. That is the way “Job’ built himself. Successive catastrophes came upon him: Rain poured, Fire came down from heaven and consumed all his flocks; Messengers came to tell him about the flood of destruction that swept his oxen, camels, and children; Then came the wind; namely, the words of his wife, saying, ‘Curse God and die’. Despite all that the house (of his soul) did not collapse; and was not shaken; The righteous man did not blaspheme; but thanked God, saying: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord” 1. St. John Chrysostom The adversary tempted ’Job’ through his children and possessions (Job 1: 13); and when he failed tot overcome him, he brought over his favorite tool; He brought the daughter of Eve, who tempted Adam; and through her mouth he said to the righteous ‘Job’: “Curse God’; But ‘Job’ refused his counsel. King ‘Asa’, did what is right in the eyes of the Lord; banished the perverted persons from the land, and removed all the idols that his father made; But when Satan tried to tempt him through his mother (1 Kings 15: 12-13), ‘Asa’ discovered his craftiness, and removed the queen mother from her high position, and cut down and burned her obscene image. St. John the Baptist – the greatest among all the prophets -- as testified by the Lord Jesus Himself ; was slain by king Herod, for the sake of a dance by the daughter of Eve (Matthew 11: 11, 14, etc.). ‘Haman’, who was rich, and the third in dignity after the king, came to his destruction, when his wife counseled him to have all the Jews in the kingdom killed (Esther 6: 13). ‘Zemri’, a head of the tribe of Simon, was killed because of a Midianite woman, and in a single day twenty-four thousands of the children of Israel died in the plague (Numbers 25: 6-15)2. St Aphrahat “But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?’. And in all this ‘Job’ did not sin with his lips” (Job 2: 10) ‘Job,’ in his grief, has been more cautious than Adam in the climax of his happiness. The first conquered amid his suffering; while the second was defeated amid his pleasure. The first did not wither amid the most horrible pains; while the second consented to what seemed enjoyable In his flesh, he endured his pain; and in his heart, he endured the faults of others; rebuking his wife for her foolishness; teaching wisdom to his friends; and keeping his perseverance in all circumstances3. St. Augustine Notice, O brethren, how he never said that his tribulations were the work of Satan! 1 Concerning the Statues, hom. 4:4. 2Demonstration 6, of Monks, 3. 3On Patience, 9. 14 Refer the chastisement directly to your God; For Satan can do nothing except by the permission of Him, who ordains your affairs by the power of His authority; whether by punishment or edification; punishment for the wicked; and edification for the children; “(God) scourges every son whom He receives” (Hebrew 12: 6). You should not escape from the rod; unless you do not intend to inherit!1. When his body became covered with painful boils, his wife came to him, as another Eve, as a tool of Satan instead of as a helper to her husband; She came to rebuke him strongly and persistently, to shake down his faith, saying to him: “Curse God and die”. ‘Adam’ on the heap of trash, was wiser than ‘Adam’ who was in paradise. ‘Adam’ in paradise gave his ear to the woman, to end up being driven together from paradise; Whereas ‘Adam’ on the heap of trash, pushed the woman aside, to get to gether with her, into paradise. What did 'Job' tell his wife? “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2: 10). In this, he demonstrates to us that, while Satan was the one who did the striking, it was actually the hand of God on him; He did not consider the one who aimed the strike, but the One who gave him the authority2. St. Augustine I would rather have God visit my sins, and correct my iniquities, in this world; in order to hear there, what Abraham said to the rich man about poor Lazarus: “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented” (Luke 16: 25). That is why, when the Lord rebukes and chastens us, we should not be deniers. Let us realize that being rebuked now, is to gain comfort in the future; according to the words of the apostle: “When we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned together with the world” (1 Corinthians 11: 32). That is why ‘Job’ willingly received all his suffering, saying: “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?”3. The scholar Origen He became more blessed than anyone else; He did not just refrain from saying or doing what is wrong; but practiced what made him more steadfast. He although his wife added to his troubles; but he still glittered in everything4. A wife could be great goodness, and she can also be great evil. Notice through which point, Satan intended to break through the wall of the stronghold?!5. St. John Chrysostom In the Septuagint version, it came as: “He looked at her, and said to her: ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks’” (Job 2: 10). 1On Ps. 31, Discourse, 2: 26. 2On Ps. 29, Discourse, 29, 7. 3On Exodus, homily 8. 4On Ps 128. 5Homilies on Hebrews, homily 20:8. 15 Namely, [You are not speaking as is befitting to your learning, nor to your stature as my wife]. He did not intend to rebuke her, as much as to take away that corrupt thought from her.“ Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?”; Namely, Even if these things are indeed evil, we should still accept them!. Being the Lord and the Master; Shouldn’t He have the authority to bring anything upon us? Were we worthy of the good things He gave to us? So, let us no longer assume that we are unworthy of suffering! It is completely in His power to give us even only the bad things. So if He gives us the good things as well; Why then, would we complain?! Notice how he talked, neither about transgressions, nor about good works, but just about how God has complete authority to do what pleases Him. When we remember the good things we once had, we shall find no difficulty to endure ou present problems. To find comfort, it is enough for us to realize that it is God who sent them on us. We should not any longer speak about justice or oppression. St. John Chrysostom “He looked at her” (Job 2: 10 LXX); He looked at his wife; to make sure with whom he is speaking; and to beware of the serpent hiding in her words! Shouldn’t we offer our perseverance as an acceptable sacrifice (See Romans 12: 1); through which we may restore what we have lost; and gain more blessings than we had? “In all this ‘Job’ did not sin with his lips” (Job 2: 10). Did God deliver ‘Job’ to that struggle in vain? Was he not indeed sure of His fighter? Has he not indeed known His warrior? As for us; Let us follow Job's lead in perseverance; Let us fight decently; Let us, like him, trust in God. Let us without failure, conform to his faith; Let us be steadfast in his spirit, in the truth of his words, in his struggle against an invisible enemy, in his solitude, in his temptations, in his tranquility while confronting every disturbance; Let us stay strong and firm. In all our tribulations, let us be strong, and let us consummate our test; to partake of the crowns of his victory; to have God testify to our righteousness; to Whom is the glory forever, Amen. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem Let us ask help from the Almighty God, against the tricks of Satan. If you dwell in Him, who cannot be conquered; You will certainly conquer him, who used to conquer those, in whom God does not dwell. O brethren, you know for sure that, because Adam in paradise, despised God's commandment; raised his neck, as though intending to be his own master; and rejected the submission to the divine will; he fell from eternity and blessings. But there came another Adam, well experienced, although also mortal; he who, while sitting on a heap of trash, consumed by worms, conquered Satan. Yes, Adam himself has conquered Satan in ‘Job’; who is his seed, and of his own race. 16 Adam was defeated in paradise, and conquered on a heap of trash! In paradise, he gave his ear to the woman in whom Satan entered; whereas, while sitting on a heap of trash, he said to her: “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks”. There, He lend her an ear; But here, he gave her an answer. When he was happy, he listened; and when he was tempted, he conquered. That is why, brethren, we should indeed learn how to put in our hearts to conquer Satan; but not by our own power; saying: “If you know that He is righteous, You should know that everyone who do righteousness is born by him” 1. St. Augustine It is written that man’s enemies are his own household (Matthew 10: 26); When the crafty adversary sees that he is driven out of the hearts of the righteous, he seeks those whom they dearly love, and speaks to them with very sweet and beloved words; For once the power of love sneaks into the heart, the sword of his conviction can easily force its way into the innermost regions of defense in the righteous. By the 'good' here, he means, either the temporal or eternal gifts of God; and by the 'evil', the calamities of the present days, about which the Lord says on the mouth of His prophet: “I am the Lord, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity” (Isaiah 45: 6-7). God Himself is counted as the Creator of evil (affliction), when He turns it into punishment (or chastisement); which though evil endured by the transgressors; while, yet, at the same time, is goodness by nature. It is great comfort, as far as our temptations are concerned, when, as we endure our sorrows, we recall the gifts given to us by our Creator… As it is said; “In the day of prosperity, do not forget calamities; And in the day of calamities, remember prosperity" (Sirach 11: 25). Whoever receives God’s gifts at the season of gifts, and does not fear strokes, would fell with his joy in the maze of his thoughts. And whoever suffers punishments, and at the season of punishments, disregards the comfort of recalling the gifts that he got from God, would fall from the steadfastness of his thought, by despair on all sides. Pope Gregory the Great Job’s wife ridiculed him, because he was simple and fond of eternities; And counting his simplicity as foolishness, ignorance, and a deprivation of life and happiness, she believed that his death is far better than his life; and that blasphemy against God is more befitting than worshipping him, with all the sufferings that go with it. It is as though he says: [If we are looking forward to the eternal blessings, We should not marvel if we confront some temporal evils]. The apostle Paul, concentrating on those blessings with great interest, while taking into consideration the sufferings he endures, says: “I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us” (Romans 8: 18). Pope Gregory the Great ‘Job’ did not sin with his lips, and did not utter a single word that does not befit him as a believer. The apostle St. Peter warns us against sinning with our lips, 1Homily 4 on, John 2. 17 saying: “Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters” (1 Peter 2: 15 Vulgate). 4- JOB’S FRIENDS COME TO VISIT HIM: “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place – Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him, and to comfort him” (Job 2: 11). Here, only those three friends, who came to comfort ‘Job’, were mentioned by name. The young man ‘Elihu’ probably came with them; But as he was far too young to be a friend of ‘Job’; he probably came to listen to the debates; was probably fond of sitting together with the elders; Or was probably moved by seeing ‘Job’ in such a tragedy, and was ready to be of any service to him, or at least to comfort him. As to the other three friends, they were advanced in age, famed for their knowledge, wisdom, and goodness; and their views were well esteemed (Job 32: 6). They probably occupied high positions in the state, as princes or rulers; and were probably relatives of ‘Jpb’. As the three of them were grandchildren of Abraham, they have probably inherited some of his good qualities and attributes: Eliphaz the Temanite, king of Teman, was the son of Teman the grandson of Esau (Genesis 36: 11); thought by some, not to be the older son of Esau, but his grandson called after him. Bildad the Shuhite was the son of Shuh, born to Abraham by his second wife, Keturah (Genesis 25: 2). And Zophar the Naamathite, was most probably Zepho another grandson of Esau (Genesis 36: 11). The three of them were Gentiles, of some good characters, that led them, out of all his other friends, not to forsake ‘Job’ in his tribulation, but to come to partake of his sorrow, as they previously did of his pleasures. They came, not out of curiosity, nor through an invitation of someone, but agreed to work together well. They were sincere in their desire in the mourning, and the mourners turned out that they were tired because of lack of wisdom in dealing with the matter We heard nothing about the multitude of the poor and needy that he used to sustain; or of the fatherless and widows for whom he cared; they did not come to comfort him in his adversity. Hearing about the successive tribulations that came upon him, they probably counted him as a wicked man who intended to hide his evil by the pretence of good works. Their absence undoubtedly had its burden on Job’s soul, who assumed that they were offended by his person. “And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept, and each one tore his robe, and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven” (Job 2: 12). Sorrow and bitterness often corrupt man’s appearance, that his close friends do not recognize him. Job’s boils and sores distorted his body, and the bitterness of his soul took away his pleasant attitude. A similar thing happened to Naomi, whose countenance was so affected by sorrow, that when she returned to her own town, the people there wondered, saying: “Is this Naomi?” (Ruth 1: 19). Not able to control themselves, those elderly men raised their voices like children and wept; Each of them tore his robe; sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven; and sat with his friend on the ground; as though partaking of his humiliation. They did not encounter him on a level of formal condolence; but as friends, they shared the bitterness of his soul; and as fellows, his tough affliction, and in 18 awe, they could not open their mouths for as long as seven days and seven nights. As, according to a commonly known proverb, 'Our light sorrows can talk; but the heavy ones tie our tongues in knots'. At the beginning, they kept silent, not to make the temptation worse; or to give themselves more time to think over that confusing riddle. They were for sure aware of his great works of love, as is testified by everyone; But wondered whether there is some hidden sin that brought over him all those tribulations? Or that by them, God intends to reveal what is hidden in his heart and mind! Not seeing the purple robe, the high throne, the royal crown, nor the attending guards and slaves; At the first glance, Job’s friends could not recognize him;. Instead of the throne, they saw the rough ground; Instead of the comfortable bed, they found a heap of trash; And instead of the magnificent house, they only found the open air! Father Hesychius of Jerusalem “So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great” (Job 2: 13) Although they made an appointment together to come to ‘Job’, amazingly enough, they kept silent seven days and seven nights, not uttering a single word. And when they did speak, they furiously attacked him, with one accord! They started by an exaggerated show of grief; then, amid his suffering they followed it by bitter adversity and fierce debates. After an unusual show of love, sitting with him on the ground, for as long as seven days and seven nights, in the midst of an unbearable smell of corruption; they suddenly and ferociously went to the other extreme. I wonder whether they were true in their love, presented it with no discernment, Or there was a secret intention, hidden under a cover of an intense grief, that exploded to reveal what they truly embraced inside their hearts. That is why ‘Job’ said to them: “But you, forgers of lies; you are all worthless physicians” (Job 13: 4). Pope Gregory the Great, believes that those friends symbolize the heretics, who similarly used to reveal at the beginning a great show of compassion, followed by action, that although apparently seem with true intention, yet lacked the spirit of discernment. “Each one came from his place” (Job 2: 11); and the place of heresy is pride itself; they came with a previous appointment under the pretence of love and friendship. Such is the way of heretics; they often come with one accord against the church of God; under the pretense of friendship, ministry, and walking in virtue! Finally, God advised them to ask ‘Job’ to pray for them, and to offer a sacrifice on their behalf. The church, likewise, keeps on praying for the sake of the heretics, hoping that they would turn back from their opposition, resume their fellowship in the church, and enjoy again the heavenly life of the church of God. Although the initial show of emotions was good and befitting for true friends, who are supposed to sympathize with their buddy; Yet what followed unbelievably demonstrated hate and grudge! At the beginning, When they realized the extent of calamity of their friend, and saw how he sat in the mire, covered with such painful sores, they tore their robes, wept, and sat beside him on the ground, in silence; feeling that it was not roper for them 19 to utter a single word; because the situation was far worse than any show of sympathy1! St. John Chrysostom 1 Concerning the Statues, homily 11:2. 20 AN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF ‘JOB’ 2 ADAM ON A HEAP OF TRASH Not being possible for Satan to keep silent, While seeing man enjoy life in the paradise of Eden. He approached him through the serpent. And daringly used the mouth of Eve. In his hatred, he caused Adam and Eve to be driven out of paradise. By sin, death reigned over them and their descendants. Now, seeing in every man, the broken Adam, He assumed to be capable of destroying ‘Job’, as he did to his early father. But this time, he did not speak to him through the serpent; But dared to accuse him before You, O Creator of all! Arrogantly, he proclaimed that he was going to and fro on the earth; And walking back and forth on it, as though a king with authority. Yes, Take away, O Lord, our dust, So that we are no more an earth, for Satan to walk on our hearts! When he sees in us a second heaven, he would flee before us! You would then let us sit in the heavenly places; Where Satan cannot reach us! What amazing, that You, O Holy One, commend us! When the evil Satan accuses us! Is he so jealous on holiness, to accuse us for weakness?! Or, in his evil, he intends to destroy everyone?! To let them join him in blaspheming You, O Holy One! He aimed all his fiery arrows against poor ‘Job’! He, who used to be the morning star, stands against such a helpless human! He would not stop before striking every part in his body! With Your allowance, he killed all his sons and daughters; but spared his wife, to use her against him! He inflicted his whole body, except for his tongue, with yhe hope to use it to blaspheme You! Very craftily, he did his best to destroy that believer. Not realizing that his arrows would eventually fly back toward him! Adam in paradise, inclined his ear, and listened to the counsel of the enemy; Through Eve, his accomplice! But ‘Job’ amid the ashes, opened his mouth to mute the satanic counsel! While Adam wrongly kept quiet; and broke Your divine commandment; ‘Job’, on the other hand, uttered good words to save his wife from the satanic tricks! While Adam became naked in paradise, and the fig leaves failed to cover his nakedness; ‘Job’, on the other hand, got covered by a robe of worms, more beautiful than a royal one! While Adam and Eve were terrified to hear Your voice; 21 The heavenly creatures stood in awe, listening to the praises sung by the one sitting amid the ashes! While Adam assumed that forbidding him to eat from the tree of knowledge, is an oppression and injustice! ‘Job’, on the other hand, counted all what he lost, through your permission, for his own good! While, among all the blessings and possibilities of paradise, Adam’s eyes were concentrated on one Forbidden tree; ‘Job’, on the other hand, despite all his temptations, had his eyes concentrated on You, O the Beneficent! While Adam opened his mouth to justify himself; “Job’, on the other hand, although he opened his mouth; yet he did not sin with his lips. His friends came, each from his own place; And I wish they never did! Although intending to comfort him with their human thoughts; They instead, added to his bitterness! Although showing every emotions of compassion and of sharing in his suffering; They failed to present You to him, O heavenly Comforter! You, my heavenly Friend; Carry me over to Your place, to find rest in the bosom of Your heavenly Father. You came down to me; You were tempted, to help those tempted! Be the secret of my comfort, peace, and true joy! 22 AN ANNEX TO CHAPTER 2 IN THE SEAT OF THE SILENT (The Silence of Job’s friends) QUIESCENCE AND SILENCE: Many think that, it is only the monk who should separate himself from the world, and lead a life of seclusion. Although this is necessary, yet St. Basil the Great confirms that the true separation from the world, is to severe the ropes that connect us to its worries, and to its problems. [The tranquility we get in the monastery is the beginning of the purification of the self; and the disregard of the things of the world, is the beginning of the care for those of God]. [The solitude is a cure for the desires and lusts; calms them down, and brings us nearer to God; Especially, if it is combined with prayers and hymns]. This should always accompany us, as it [abides the soul in joy, and brings it out of sorrows1]. St. Basil, although he is an advocate of communal monasticism, yet he never stops confirming the importance of silence, and of the commitment to retreat and keep quiet. This is the condition, without which the monastic life would never go straight; As, how could a monk pray often during the day, study, read in the Holy Book. or concentrate on searching himself, if his soul and the monastery are noisy? 2. St. Basil says: [Tranquility is the first step in our sanctification; The tongue gets purified of the nonsense of the world; The eye is not influenced by the beautiful colors, nor by the nice figures; The ear does not hasten to hear the lusty songs, and the harmful talks and acts]. If you talk like St. John Chrysostom; Mar. Ephram; Mar. Basil the divine; Mar Gregory the Nezenzian; Mar. Gregory of Nyssa; and all those great teachers; Your words would never benefit those whom you encounter as much as your silence!3. St. (Mar.) Jacob El- Serougi What is better: the holy silence, or the holy talk? You are the Word, that gives a word to those who talk! By You, all who talk would talk for Your sake. A great ray of light, shines in me, when I look at You. My soul gets enlightened, to acquire goodness. Getting away from You, it becomes filled with darkness; Concentrating on you, it gets clothed with light to utter Your words. Silence and talk set their demands on me; O Lord, ordain my life according to Your will. I keep silent because I feel inadequate to talk. And if I talk, my word is uttered according to Your glory and for Your sake. When the soul is filled with silence, Silence becomes a kind of talk, full of benefit. And when the soul moves to glorify You with love... By love I talk to glorify You; 1 Epistle 2: 7, 8, 10. . 2 لأب الیاس كویتر المخلصي: القدیس باسیلیوس الكبیر، منشو ا رت المكتبة البولسیة، بیروت، 1989 ، ص 72 Epistle 2; Hom. Regulae fusius tractatae 5, 13, 38; Regulae brevius tractatae 25, 38, 208; Hom. on Ps. 33, 28. 3 الرسالة التاسعة والثلاثون. 23 And in my silence, I would never stop glorifying You. O Lord, enrich me, and grant me both the silence and the word. ST. (Mar.) Jacob El- Serougi A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; The righteous Keeps silent, knowing that there is “A time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3: 7); Yet he does not become mute; like the Sadducees – and all those who teach vanity – who are mute, yet not silent. That is how the Lord Christ rebuked the stormy sea, and not man, to “be still”1. The scholar Origen It is in vain, to rein our tongue, if our silence plays the same role as our screaming2. Father Joseph Zacharias the priest talked when he should have kept silent; And when St. Mary talked, she talked well. Because Eve kept silent before the serpent, and did not talk back, she sadly died because of her silence. When the serpent gave her a deadly counsel, promised her deity; she did not enquire, argue, or fully and carefully discuss the issue; as she should have done. If she did, the deceiver would have flown away; But because she kept silent, the serpent dragged her down to the depth of the abyss. As there should be time for man to keep silent, and for him to speak, it was befitting for Zacharias the priest to keep silent in the most holy place, when the angel gave him the good news of the birth of John the Baptist; And as he did not, the angel made him mute against his will; Because he loved him; he adorned him with the silence befitting for him. The priest became silent, and went home. His loving friends who did not know what happened to him. His wife Elizabeth was grieved for the silence of her man; Her household was already stricken with barrenness; And now, the mouth of the old priest was also barren. No children, and no more word that could bring comfort! Then the old woman got pregnant by a great miraculous way! By the birth of John, his mother’s womb and his father's mouth, both opened up! By his birth, the barren got a child, and the mute talked! By his birth, the barren womb, the mute mouth, and the desolate household, were all blessed! Blessed is the One who elected him, To whom is the glory, forever, Amen. St. (Mar.) Jacob El- Serugi Both the silence and the talk, for the sake of God, are good3. Father Bemen 1 PG 13:1599. 2 Cassian: Conf. 16: 18.
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