‘JOB’ RESTORES HIS GLORY THE LAST EPISODE The three friends who have come to comfort ‘Job’; they instead almost destroyed his soul, and deprived him of his inner peace. This was always the case with humans – They give vain comfort! God, on the other hand, Even if He spoke firm to ‘Job’, Yet He, as the true Comforter, allows for temptation, yet presents a way out; allows for wounds, yet He heals; He even glorifies those who are tempted. If God’s words to ‘Job’ enticed him to practice humility, humility opened before him the storehouses of the divine love. God restored to ‘Job’ more than he could imagine; He not only justified him, but made him an intercessor on behalf of his friends. He became a symbol of the Lord Christ, the Intercessor on behalf of humanity, and opponent to Him. A JOYFUL END: 1- Once ‘Job’ showed in his response to God, an amazing submission, God transfigured before him, and answered his questions in a practical way. As ‘Job’ has been perplexed because of the tribulations and the afflictions that have dwelt upon him, God’s answer came to him, that they are the way of conquering the devil and all his tricks, of gaining the crown of glory, and of enjoying beholding the Lord through the purity of heart. While on a heap of trash, ‘Job’ discovered his true treasure fulfilling all his inner needs; namely, beholding the Lord. 2- The Lord responded to all the charges directed against ‘Job’ by his friends; by testifying before them, as He did before the devil himself; saying: “You have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant ‘Job’ has” (7). His friends accused him of being evil and a hypocrite; and claimed that his offerings on behalf of his children were not well received by God. Here, the Lord Himself proclaims his priesthood, commanding his friends to seek 285 from him to pray for their sake, and to present burnt offerings on their behalf; that God would take their folly away from them. 3- ‘Job’ asked to encounter with God face to face to present his case; Here, encountering with Him in the proper time, he finds no complaint to present to the Lord; accepts His exaltation of God; and realizes that God’s ordinances are un-searchable by the human mind. 4- Realizing his true self, ‘Job’ humbly presented repentance before God (5-6). Proclaiming that he has no complaint before God, ‘Job’ realized that the way to his reform, would be realized through the free grace of God, and not through his own self-worthiness. 5- Job’s reform was realized at the very moment he forgot about his sufferings, and interceded on behalf of his brethren, who, in turn, consented to appear before everyone present, as sinners, who are in need of Job’s prayers and intercession for their sake before God. It is to be noticed that God did not condemn Elihu along with the three friends; Because of the purity of his heart, and his true jealousy toward the righteousness of God; It was enough for him to watch how ‘Job’ was glorified in the sight of God; and how his three friends sought his intercession on their behalf. 6- When the trial came to an end, God did not let ‘Job’ die in his present sufferings; but restored to him twice as much possessions as he lost; together with as many sons and daughters; as those who departed are alive with God. By the end of Job’s life, God intends to proclaim that, as long as man watches God, and his heart offer Him a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise, he should enjoy and be pleased with God’s gifts. 7- Having lost the battle against ‘Job’, the devil got a bitter slap on the face! 1- The humility of ‘Job’ 1 - 4 2- Beholding the Lord 5 – 6 3- Job’s friends are condemned 7 4- ‘Job’ the intercessor 8 - 9 286 5- Job restores his losses 10 - 12 6- Job’s sons and daughters 13 - 15 7- ‘Job’ dies old and full of days 16 - 17 1- THE HUMILITY OF ‘JOB’: There is no other way to glory, but to enjoy the spirit of humility with love; namely the fellowship in the features of the Lord Christ who says: “Learn from Me for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11: 29). “Then ‘Job’ answered the Lord, and said …” (Job 42: 1) While Job’s friends were persistent on asking him to confess his hidden sins, that, according to them, were the cause of all those successive tribulations that dwelt upon him, and to seek God’s forgiveness on them; God did not rebuke him on hidden sins, but presented to him certain questions to answer, intending for him to realize that he cannot search the wisdom, plans, and ordinances of God. ‘Job’ should have confidence in the exalted care of God, even if He allowed for him to go through tribulations that seem unbearable. Whatever man’s wisdom may reach, he, as a creature who submits to time, is not able to realize God’s thoughts, and to recognize His purposes concerning our eternity. “I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42: 2). After confessing the exalted might of God, ‘Job’ admitted his ignorance of God’s purposes; and that it was befitting of him to trust in Him unconditionally; As though he says to God: ‘As Your might is with no limits, and Your wisdom is absolute; I should unconditionally deliver my life to You’ Indeed, when temptations dwell upon us; especially when they are heavy, sudden, and successive, many questions may come to our minds, among which are: * In case these temptations are chastisements on certain sins; Let me then search and contemplate in God our Savior; As He is the Forgiver of sins; who remembers them no more. 287 * In case they are a war from the devil to break me down; I should not fear the enemy and all his tricks; and remember that God has given me the authority to trample on him; and that he has become the footstool of the believer. * In case they are intended for testing me; the way it happened to ‘Job’; Let me trust that the Lord Christ will ultimately grant me the strength and the spirit of conquest. * In case they are for reasons beyond my knowledge; Let me humiliate myself before God, trusting in His un-searchable divine wisdom. After the Lord revealed to his faithful servant ‘Job’, how Leviathan, his enemy, is strong and deceitful; ‘Job’ responded by saying: “I know that You can do all things’; As to his hidden plots, he added: “No purposes of Yours can be thwarted” 1. Pope Gregory the Great “You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things two wonderful for me, which I did not know” (Job 42: 3). The first part of this verse is quoted from the words of the Almighty God (Job 38: 2), which He uttered to rebuke Job on the way he used in explaining the dealings of God. God said it because we often hide the counsel of God, or distort it by words we utter in ignorance. The second part, as though he says: I am the man without knowledge, my sin is before my eyes; In ignorance I did not realize Your divine purposes, concerning the tribulations that dwelt upon me. In true humility and remorse, ‘Job’ confesses that his words were said under the pressure of pain; and that in ignorance, he entered into a debate about God’s plan, as though between equals. As though he says: As a man, I have uttered what I did not know; I 1 كما جاء في النص في كتابات البابا غریغوریوس (الكبیر). 288 got myself into some amazing divine things beyond my comprehension. Pope Gregory the Great believes that by this phrase, ‘Job’ is criticizing Leviathan [Although Leviathan works in secret against those he is tempting; Yet he cannot hide anything about his evil motives]. “I foolishly uttered things that surpasses my knowledge”. Every human wisdom, however accurate it is, is counted as foolishness, if compared to the divine wisdom. All the human works, however beautiful they may be, if compared to God’s justice and beauty, are counted neither just nor beautiful, or even non-existent altogether. Although Moses was trained on the wisdom of the Egyptians; Yet, when he heard the Lord talking , he instantly discovered how unqualified he is, and said: “O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now, I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Exodus 4: 10). The same with Jeremiah, who when he heard the words of God, said: “Ah , Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy” (Jeremiah 1: 6) The more ‘Job’ belittled himself, the more progress he made. I believe that, once he realized the secret of God’s wisdom, in His words that are beyond his imagination, his knowledge increased without measure. Pope Gregory the Great “Listen please, and let me speak; I shall question you, and you shall answer me’” (Job 42: 4). ‘Job’ no more speaks to protest about what dwelt upon him; but in humility, he supplicates to God to reveal to him His wisdom, which he is longing to learn. His way of talk changed completely; He no longer debates with God, as though he knows everything, but confesses that he needs God to explain to him what he does not know or comprehend. He keeps on asking God to grant him the understanding, and humbly seeks to recognize the divine truth. 289 The Hebrew word ‘shaa’al’, meaning (asked), bears deep humility and serious desire to learn. ‘Job’ no longer seeks to enter into a debate with God, but supplicates to be allowed to sit at His footstool, to learn from Him about His un-searchable divine ways. “Listening”, for us, means to be at a certain location, and prepare our ears, to hear a voice that comes from another location. But for God, in whom there is nothing internal or external, ‘listening’, is to consider our ‘longing’ to ascend to Him from below. For us, ‘talking’ to God , who searches the heart, even of those who are keeping silent, is not to utter words coming from our throat, but to long for Him in a serious desire. And, because someone asks a question in order to learn something he does not know; therefore, as far as man is concerned, to ask God means to admit his ignorance in God’s sight; And God responds by proclaiming His secret to him who humbly admits his ignorance. ‘Job’ him, was asking God through his ‘longing’, and was seeking in humiliation, an answer from God; although he proclaims that he intends to present a question; Yet he actually presented nothing in the form of a question. Pope Gregory the Great 2- BEHOLDING THE LORD: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (Job 42: 5). ‘Job’ confesses that his prior knowledge about God was by the hearing of the ear, which was both vague and dark. But now, he sees Him and enjoys His splendor; he is granted a direct knowledge through seeing; his knowledge of God became clear and splendid through the enlightenment of his inner eyes. ‘Job’ confesses that the answer to his questions came in an unexpected way; He probably expected from God to reveal to him through a vision or a dream, the reason for what dwelt upon him, to bring peace to his heart. He expected from God to tell him that what dwelt upon him is not to be compared with what He is 290 preparing for him in the age to come; But for God to appear and transfigure before him, and to talk to him, that was something unimaginable! Yes indeed, seeing God, whether in the heart by faith, or face to face on the great day of the Lord, would be an exalted reward! The most that man could desire is to see God! By these words, he proclaims in a very clear way, that to see is more exalted than to hear; The progress he gained through the pain and suffering, made him different from what he used to be; And by becoming able to behold the light of the truth by the inner eye; he is now able to discern more clearly, and to realize the darkness of his human nature! Pope Gregory the Great “Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42: 6). To defend himself before his friends, ‘Job’ often counted himself as righteous, as compared to those around him; But now, through being able to see the Lord with His the holiness, righteousness, and majesty, he sees himself as naught, and discovered that he is a sinner and defiled. … The same thing happened later to the prophet Isaiah, who, once he saw in a vision, the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple; he realized that he is a man of unclean lips (Isaiah 6: 1, 5)…. And to the apostle Peter. when the Lord performed a certain miracle, and he realized His Godhead, he cried out, saying: “Depart from my boat, for I am a sinful man, my Lord” (Luke 5: 8). In vain, Job’s friend tried to convince him that he is a great sinner; but before the presence of God, ‘Job’ hastened to repent from the heart, with humility and contrition. Being unable to see through himself, one is unable to abhor himself; but the more he recognizes the light of the great grace, the more he comes to realize how blameful he is…. To “repent in dust and ashes”, once man contemplates in the exalted Being, is for him to know that he is nothing but dust and ashes. That is why the Lord 291 says in the gospel about the denying city: “If the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11: 21). They are both used to express remorse, to get to know what we do through sin; and in order to realize the extent of what we reached through the verdict. Because in sackcloth one feels the rough nature of sin and its pricks; whereas the ashes are the dust of the dead. Pope Gregory the Great By the eye of faith, they look up to the justice of God, and do not long to set their self-righteousness; They, as ‘Job’ says, abhor themselves, and count themselves as dust and ashes (6); But by gaining the Spirit of God, they now say: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2: 20). This is how the face of the earth is renewed by the congregation of saints through the grace of the new covenant1. There will be an exalted spacious power for the eye; not that of the sharp eyesight, like that of the eagles; which however powerful it is, discerns nothing but the material things; and not the spiritual ones. That great eyesight was probably granted to ‘Job’ while still in his mortal body, when he said: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now I see You; Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42: 5-6). That is despite the fact that there is no reason for us, not to say the same concerning the eye of the heart, about which the apostle says: “The enlightened eyes of your heart” (Ephesians 1: 18), by which no Christian doubts that God will be seen; he, who by faith accepts what our God and Lord says: “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God” (Matthew 5: 8). … But the question is: Shall we also see God in the life to come by our carnal eyes2? St. Augustine 1 Literal Meaning of Genesis, 10: 8 (14). 2 City of God 22:29. 292 3- JOB’S FRIENDS ARE CONDEMNED: “And so it was, after the Lord has spoken these words to ‘Job’, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: ‘My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant ‘Job’ has” (Job 42: 7). Despite what dwelt upon ‘Job’ of sufferings, what he uttered about God is counted far well than what his friends have, while neither was tempted, nor suffering. ‘Job’ might have uttered some unbefitting words; But God listening to the words of his heart, his sighs and hidden cries, counted him more righteous than them. The Lord proclaimed to Eliphaz – the oldest and wisest of Job’s friends – that, having been unable to realize the truth about that blessed man; their verdict and condemnation of their righteous brother, were wrong, and have aroused the divine wrath. According to the outer appearances, ‘Job’ might have looked as though protesting against the divine ordinances; and his friend were defending them; Yet, according to the language of the heart, ‘Job’ was justified before God, whereas they were condemned. God kept on calling ‘Job’ his servant, to confirm that He wiped out everything he said that could be considered as unbefitting. ‘Job’ uttered the right concerning his good deeds; But you, by condemning him, have not St. John Chrysostom ‘Job’ was preferred by God to those who pretended to defend the divine ordinance … By referring to him as “His servant’, God referred to the fact that he did not utter his defense in haughty pride, but in humble truth. Pope Gregory the Great 4- ‘JOB’ THE INTERCESSOR: 293 “Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant ‘Job’, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant ‘Job’ shall pray for you. For I will accept his prayer, lest I deal with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant ‘Job’ has” (Job 42: 8). What God does here, is amazing!; While admonishing ‘Job’ in His private talk to him, and revealing to him his inability to comprehend the power, wisdom, and plan of God, Yet, before Job’s friends and opponents, God glorifies him, and counts him as an intercessor on their behalf. God’s pleasure is to glorify His believers, and to lift them up before their brethren, before the angelic forces, and to bring them over to the divine bosoms. The figure 7 was considered as a symbol of perfection; as it has always been when offering animal sacrifices (Leviticus 23: 18; Numbers 29: 32). Even among the non-Jews, we find Balaam demanding from Baalak, king of Moab to offer such a number of sacrifices (Numbers 23: 1, 29). While Job’s friends were unable to offer him comfort amid his temptations; Yet ‘Job’, himself was justified for enduring those temptations; not only in the sight of his friends; But even while still amid affliction, before the healing of his body, before the restoration of his possessions, and before his enjoyment of begetting children, he was able to intercede before God on behalf of his friends, who have almost destroyed him! Job’s friends assumed that they could reform him by their human wisdom and philosophy; but now, the Lord confirms to them that they are in need for his prayers to be themselves reformed. God used Job’s friends to present a testimony to his personal virtue; and at the same time, He demonstrated the seriousness of their sin, by using that exceptional way to offer a sacrifice. He would not have called for such huge sacrifices, unless the sin was serious enough to offer them. And He also made it clear that the sacrifice alone is not enough, if not accompanied with his 294 intercession on their behalf … Through this we learn that accusing the righteous is not something to be taken lightly. Prayers of others on our behalf, is very useful, if, on our side, we take part as well by our own prayers. Just contemplate in the episodes of Cornelius and Tabitha (Acts 10: 3; 9: 36); and listen to Jacob saying to Laban: “If the fear of my father Isaac had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed” (Genesis 31: 42). And hear what God Himself says: “I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David” (2 Kings 20: 6). But He said that in the days of Hezekiah who was righteous. … Now, if prayers were of benefit even as far as the very wicked are concerned, why hasn’t God say that when Nebuchadnezar came, and to whom the city was delivered? Because evil then prevailed! … God, as well, listened to the prayer of Samuel on behalf of the Israelites, and let them conquer, when they also pleased God! … You may ask: What is the need for the prayers of others, if I, myself, please God? Well, Do not say such a foolish thing! Yes there is need, and more need! … Listen to God saying to Job’s friends: “My servant Job shall pray for you, and I shall accept his prayer” (Job 42: 8). That righteous man, by his prayers, saved his friends, . … Now, listen to God saying by the prophet: “Even though, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver neither sons nor daughters” (See Ezekiel 14: 14, 16); and again: “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me …” (Jeremiah 15: 1); Notice how despite the prayers of those righteous men, their people would neither conquer nor be saved1. St. John Chrysostom Notice how God, the Just and merciful, did not leave the faults of Job’s friends without rebuking them; nor forsook their crime without reform. Being our divine Physician, He first reveals the extent of corruption of our wound, and then prescribes the treatment to cure it. We have already said that Job’s friends refer 1 Homilies on Thessalonians, homily. 1. 295 to the heretics who oppose God, while pretending to defend Him. How by their words they stand against the truth, while assuming that they serve it by their vain claims. Notice how they were commanded to offer a sacrifice for their own sake; Yet, not to offer it by themselves, but through ‘Job’. The same way, if the heretics return from their wrong dogmas, they would not be able to soothe the wrath of God toward them by offering sacrifices by themselves … unless they return to the church, (represented here by ‘Job’) … It is as though God openly says to the heretics: [I shall not receive your sacrifices, nor listen to your supplications, except through the intercession of the church, “who says what is right of Me” … Through her alone, God will receive your sacrifices; And she alone can intercede on behalf of those who sin. Pope Gregory the Great “So Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, went and did as the Lord commanded them; And the Lord accepted Job’s prayer” (Job 42: 9). The wise Solomon says: “The end of a thing is better than its beginning” (Ecclesiastes 7: 8). God did not keep Satan from temping ‘Job’; nor kept Job’s wife or friends from opposing and ridiculing him, and from unjustly accusing him; Yet at the proper time He (lifted up his face) before the entire world; and kept it lifted up along the generations; He will lift it more and more in the great day of the Lord. He did not send to him an angel, an arch-angel, a cherub, or a Seraf, to comfort him or to put his heart at ease; but He Himself descended to (lift up his face). When ‘Job’ lost all his possessions, and all his children, all things seemed to work against him (Job 1: 13-21); But, having loved the Lord, all the evils that dwelt upon him worked together for his benefit (Job 42: 9-17). The soars of his body prepared him for the crown of heaven; and above all, before his temptation, God never talked to him, Whereas after the temptation, God Himself came and talked to him as a friend to 296 his friend. … Therefore, Let calamities come; Let catastrophes dwell! As long as Christ will come after them1! St. Jerome It is befitting of us to contemplate in the phrase: “God accepted Job’s prayer”, or, according to the Arabic version: “God lifted up Job’s face”. Having forgiven his friends for the sake of his prayers; God counted this gift as presented to ‘Job’ him. Job’s heart was so simple and spacious by love, even to his adversaries, that his prayers on their behalf came as though they are for his own sake; as they were the subject of his love. Notice that God’s forgiveness that they gained, as proclaimed by the Lord, was given with certain reservation. The Lord did not (lift up their faces), but (the face of the blessed ‘Job’). Pope Gregory the Great 5- JOB RESTORES HIS LOSSES: “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42: 10). In the Arabic version it came as “The lord restored Job’s captivity” (10); an expression used when man restores his position and his possibilities; as though he is liberated from captivity, and returned home to practice his life in freedom and honor. Given twice as much as he had lost, does not mean that it was realized all of a sudden, but most probably gradually. No wonder to hear that “The Lord restored Job’s (captivity) when he prayed for his friends” (10); As he has enjoyed the inner freedom, when he raised up his heart, mind, as well as his hands, for the sake of his adversaries, to ask the Lord to forgive them. There is no way to enjoy freedom, other than to open our hearts by love; not only toward our beloved ones and relatives, but even toward our opponents and adversaries. Having endured the temptations without blaspheming God, but was preoccupied with the kingdom of God; ‘Job’ got a double 1 Homilies on Ps. 6. 297 reward even in this world. The Lord Christ, said: “Assuredly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come everlasting life” (Luke 18: 29-30). God who does not forget even a cup of water, will certainly pay us back many times more than we give, some way or another, in this world , as well as in the age to come. He may not give us material reward, but amid the affliction, He will grant us joy, heavenly peace, divine comfort, fulfillment of the soul, and perpetual happiness. “The Lord restored Job’s (captivity)”: An oriental expression meaning that God restored to him his past prosperity; For he, who lost his success or his possessions, was considered as though been put in captivity or in prison, from which he longs to be set free. The Psalmist says: ”Bring my soul out of prison, that I praise Your name” (Psalm 142: 7) 1. St. John Chrysostom believes that God has even changed the nature of the land, to give ‘Job’ double its normal production. That is how the Lord honors those who honor Him! When the lions recognized Daniel, they reined their fierce nature; whereas the Son of Man came to us, and we did not rein ours. … The lions preferred to die of hunger than to touch the body of the saint; whereas we see Christ (in His brethren), become naked, and die hungry, and we give them nothing of the surplus of what we have; we live in abundance and disregard the saints. Now we see even the land present to another saint of God (Job) an abundance of produce out of the ordinary2]. Do you see what it means to give something for the sake of God? It means that you will be restored twice as much as you gave; and even as said by the gospels: “shall receive a 1 James M. Freeman: Manners and Customs of the Bible, Logos International Plainfield. N J, 1972, p. 215-216. 2 On Ps.12. 298 hundredfold and inherit everlasting life” (Matthew 19: 29), in Christ Jesus1. The scholar Origen He made his prayers more active to his account, by offering them for the sake of others; As the sacrifice of prayer is more readily received by the merciful Judge, when it bears the breath of love to a neighbor; and would even be more so, if it is raised for the sake of an enemy; according to the teaching of our Savior who says: “Pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6: 28); And again He says: “Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11: 25). It was said to the afflicted (Kingdom of) Judah: “For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you” (Isaiah 54: 7) … He, who was stricken by the permission of God, suffered as well through the words of his friends; And when he was comforted by the gifts of the divine mercies, he was qualified as well to be comforted by human love. The same way he was wounded by the two sides, he was also comforted by several sides. Pope Gregory the Great The holy Scripture testifies that when Abraham confessed that he is dust and ashes, he found God’s grace in his great humility (Genesis 18: 27); And while ‘Job” was still sitting on his ash heap, he restored all his losses (2: 8; 42: 10-17); According to the prophecy of David: “God raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap” (Psalm 113: 7) 2. St. Ambrose +As I already said, While many of those who called on God, were saved on the spot, without waiting for the life to come: As for example, ‘Job’, who was delivered into the hands of Satan, by the permission of God, restored in this life twice as much as he has 1 On Genesis, homily 8. 2 On Penitence, 2:1:4. 299 lost; When the Lord Christ was scourged, he got no help from anyone1! St. Augustine What ‘Job’ enjoyed, bears an image or a symbol of what we enjoy in Jesus Christ; who restored our captivity, after being enslaved to the devil; and presented to us double the glory. “Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house, and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold” (Job 42: 11). Job’s friends and acquaintances showed that their opposition to him was out of ignorance; and once they were directed to the truth by God, they submitted from their whole heart, confessed their fault, and brought gifts to the man of God. It is clear from this text that his brothers, and sisters did not come to comfort or to help him, all along the time of his temptation; something that added to his bitterness (See Job 19: 13- 14). “Each one gave him a piece of silver”; and according to the Septuagint version, it came as: “Each one gave him a lamb”. It was the custom in the old, and still is in some regions of the Orient, that friends give gifts to the one who came out of a tribulation, in an attempt to compensate his losses, and to support him, and as an expression that they long to see him get back to his past prosperity; like what happened with Ezekiel (2 Chronicles 32: 23). Pope Gregory the Great believes that Job’s brothers and sisters who disregarded him in the time of his temptation, and then came to give him gifts, when they heard that God restored his captivity; refer to the Jews who disregarded the Lord Christ at the time of His passion and crucifixion; and did not believe in Him; And that once Elijah will come at the end of time, when “the 1 On Ps. 21, Discourse, 2, 8. 300 fullness of the Gentiles has come in, … all Israel will be (restored to Him)” (Romans 11: 25-26). “Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys” (Job 42: 12). In short, the book ends with the transformation of the burning fire of temptation to a heavenly fire of glory; That is the amazing secret of suffering; the secret of the true glory. 6- JOB’S SONS AND DAUGHTERS: “He also had seven sons and three daughters” (Job 42: 13). The last time it was referred to his wife was in (Job 19: 17), when ‘Job’ moans, saying: “My breath is offensive to my wife” (Job 19: 17). That led some to believe that ‘Job’ got those sons and daughters from a second wife (probably after the death of the first one. The scholar Origen believes that the sons and daughters refer to God’s gifts to the believer: the sons refer to the good works of the spirit, and the daughters to those of the body, sanctified in the Lord. Giving birth to sons and daughters refer to the work of the Holy Spirit of God, that sanctifies the believer to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit in his whole being. In the great day of the Lord, ‘Job’ will stand before the Lord to say: “Behold, I and the children that the Lord gave me”. It is so befitting to every believer to be productive, to keep giving birth to holy children in the Lord. “He called the name of the first ’Jemimah’, the name of the second ‘Keziah’, and the name of the third ‘keren-Happuch’” (Job 42: 14). The names of the daughters were mentioned here as an expression of the atmosphere of joy and happiness that prevailed on the family. ‘Jemimah’, came in the Septuagint version as ‘Heameram’, meaning (daylight); as though her beauty was like the daylight. So 301 it also came in the Chaldean version. The Septuagint, the Volgata, and the Chaldean versions, mentioned that the name ‘Jemimah’ is derived from the Hebrew word (Yowm); As ‘Job’ moved from the dark night of temptations to the bright daylight of joy. Light has shined over his tent. Concerning Job’s second daughter, In the Chaldean version, it was mentioned that She was as valuable as Cassia’ ; ‘Cassia’ (or Keziah) came among the precious perfumes (See Psalm 45: 8). The third daughter carried the name of a cosmetic used on eyelashes to make the eyes appear wider and prettier; as wide eyes are a sign of beauty in the Orient. ‘Rosenmuller’, commenting on this phrase says, that ‘Solomon Jarichi’, a Jew author wrote that the names of Job’s daughters refer to their exceptional beauty (Job 42: 15): The first name ‘Jemimah’, meaning a (a clear day), implies the splendor of her beauty. The second name ‘Keziah’, means (Cassia), one of the most costly and precious old perfumes; And the third name ‘Keren- Happuch’, according to ‘Dr. Alexander’ in Kitto Cyclopedia, means a horn of eye ointment, that bestows beauty on the eyes; or a bottle of horn in which oriental women used to keep an ointment to beautify their eyes. ‘Thomas Roe’, during his travel noticed that the Persians used to give their daughters the names of perfumes, jewels, precious stones, or anything beautiful and joyful. ‘Gesenius’ believes that the name ‘Jemimah’ is derived from the Arabic word (Yamama), meaning a turtledove, or (Hamama) meaning a dove1. St. Gregory of Nyssa2 believes that Job’s daughters were called: ‘’Daylight’; As, according to the apostle: “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5: 8). “Cassia”, where purity and nice fragrance are. “A horn of Almatheia”. The Greek literature tells about ‘Almatheia’ and her very productive wild goats. 1 James M. Freeman: Manners and Customs of the Bible, Logos International Plainfield. N J, 1972, p. 216. 2 Commentary on Song of Songs, homily 9. 302 Pope Gregory the Great believes that mankind passes through three stages: 1- The first stage, when man was created, was daylight like ‘Jemimah’(Psalm 149: 1). 2- The second stage, as man enjoys salvation; and from him emerges the fragrance of Christ, like ‘Cassia’. 3- The third stage, when we encounter God, face to face, together with the heavenly hosts, to become like the music instrument ‘horn’. Calling Job’s first daughter ‘Yowm’, the second “Cassia’, and the third ‘Cornustibii’, refer to the entire human race, elected through the compassion and mercy of their Creator, to be referred to by these same names … The human race shines splendidly on the creation with the light of innocence, hence the first daughter is called ‘daylight’; And once they are saved, a sweet fragrance emerges from them by practicing the good exalted works, as it is said of the Savior, by the prophet: “All Your garments are scented with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad” (Psalm 45: 8); hence the second daughter is called ‘Cassia’. But as the human race in its third stage, when reformed anew for the resurrection of the body, becomes preoccupied with the harmony of the eternal praise; the third daughter is called “Keren- Happuch”, or (Cornustibii), meaning (the praise of the joyful). What is said by the prophet: “Sing to the Lord a new song”, will be indeed fulfilled by singing a song of praise to God; no more by faith, but by contemplating in the Person of Him who made the human race ‘daylight’ by creating it; ‘Cassia; by granting it salvation; and ‘Keren-Happuck’ by acquiring it. We, who were light when we were created, now became ‘Cassia’ by our salvation; and ultimately we shall become ‘Keren-Happuch’ when we become preoccupied with everlasting praise. Pope Gregory the Great 303 “In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers” (Job 42: 15). With the Jews, the daughter used to inherit her parents, if she has no brother (Numbers 27: 8). By their exalted beauty, the souls of the elect surpass all human races on earth. When our merciful Savior comes, no one, because of his weakness, will despair of getting the heavenly inheritance; As our heavenly Father grants the women inheritance with the men; joining the weak and the humble to the strong and the perfect, in getting equal portion in the heavenly inheritance; according to the words of the Truth Himself: “In My Father’s house are many mansions” (John 14: 2). Pope Gregory the Great 7- JOB DIES OLD AND FULL OF DAYS: “After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations” (Job 42: 16). According to the Septuagint version, ‘Job’ lives 170 years after the temptation; And as his age when he died was 240 years; so the temptation happened when he was 70 years of age. Seeing the grandchildren is one of the signs of blessing given to the pious, as indicated in Psalm 128: 6. “So Job died, old and full of days” (Job 42: 17). ‘Job’ had the experience of living with God while he has been the greatest man in the East at that time; And of living amid the bitter sufferings on a heap of trash, covered with worms, attacked by friends, and forsaken by his closest relatives. He tasted grief, poverty and anguish in a way never experienced by anyone before or after him; He tasted both the life of prosperity and the life of bitterness; namely, experienced God’s care for man in all circumstances. 304 AN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF ‘JOB’ 42 LET ME SEE YOU IN THE FURNACE OF TEMPATIONS You testified to ‘Job’ that he was a righteous and an pright man. The best man of his time; Yet he did not enjoy seeing You, except while in the furnace of temptations. I confess to You my weaknesses and my sins. In Your love, You allowed for me to fall into bitter afflictions. You wish to transfigure to me Seeing you give me joy. People’s comfort often increases my sufferings; No one can partake of them except You. Your words enter like arrows into my heart. They cause me wounds of exalted love; I truly know that I am not more than dust and ashes. Yet I realize that you can turn my dust into heaven; And instead of the ashes, my heart would become a holy temple for You. Your words prepare me to see You with the eyes of my heart. To make my soul rejoice together with ‘Job’ and say: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You” Let me, together with the tempted ‘Job’, open my heart to those who ridicule me. Let me keep praying for their sake with true love. Let my soul even be crushed with contrition before You. That the whole world enjoy seeing You; And enjoy with me Your exalted gifts. You gave ‘Job’ seven sons and three daughters. Grant me to be a father to many. Wherever I go, let Your Spirit work through me to draw many to You. 305 My soul will never rest until I see the whole world become Your sons and daughters. Grant me a holy old age. For every day of my sojourn, let my spirit have a fruit. Let it be like a thousand years, according to Your divine promise.
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