Jó 38
John Chrysostom · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Jó 38:1
In my opinion, he has placed at this stage a cloud over this righteous man in order to raise his thoughts and to persuade him that "that voice" came "from above," as [in the case] of the "mercy seat placed upon the ark of alliance." Since the cloud is a symbol of heaven, it is as if God wanted to place heaven itself over Job, as if he had moved his throne near him. This is what also happened, it seems to me, "on the mountain," when "the cloud" settled on it, so that we might learn that "the voice came from above." Let us listen carefully, because it is the common Master of the universe who speaks. Let us see how he exhorts Job. Does he do it with the same vehemence of humankind? Not at all. Now we find a very clear solution to all the previous, disquieting questions, dear friends, which Job asked and to which we have tried to find a solution. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 38:1
Jó 38:3
Since Job was overwhelmed by his dejection, God encourages him with his words, so that he may pay attention to what is said now, and he introduces his speech in the form of questions, which is the best means to convince. Above all, he shows that he does everything with wisdom and intelligence, and therefore it would have been inconsistent with God, who did so many things with wisdom and intelligence, to neglect the human beings for whom he has created everything, even when they are wretched, as in this case. "What do you say?" God asks. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 38:3
Jó 38:10-11
He keeps [the sea] firmly within a sort of barrier, and in some perfect prescriptions of docility, as if he had given it precise commands. I have spoken, he says, and it did not reply, because that happens not only when no constraint forces it but also if the violence of an unchained power whips it quite hard. God has not allowed the sea to stand still and calm, in order that it may proclaim his power, because its nature fights against his commandments, and his commandment rules it everywhere. If water stood still, many people would have attributed its tranquility to the nature of the water; but since, in reality, it is restless and rises from inside, but without the strength to exceed its limits, its restlessness proclaims the power of God. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 38:11
Jó 38:22-23
Obviously this does not mean that there exist such storehouses, but he simply shows that these elements are at his complete disposal when he wants, as if he took them from his own reserves. "And is there a store of them for you against the time of your enemies, for the day of wars and battles?" You certainly understand that he wants to emphasize their opportunity, the fact that they come at the right moment and never at random. Then he equally speaks about all the rest, that is, about rain, hail and, on the other hand, about the Notus. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 38:22-23
Jó 38:28-29
God does not want to say that it comes out from his womb, God forbid! But then what do the words about "begetting" and "womb" mean in this context? As when the author said about the sea, "When its mother begot it," he did not mean that it has a mother; so here he does not mean that [ice] came forth [literally] from God's womb, but he wants to speak about its formation and origin.… Why then did he constantly use here the words about "begetting"? In my opinion he wants to allude to the One who is the first and only cause of everything and to the fact that creatures were shaped even before being completely perfected. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 38:28A-29A
Jó 38:34-35
Up to this point God divides the heavenly realities in terms of those through which he punishes us, as distinguished from those through which he benefits us. Notice how the lightnings answer. They do not really mean, "What do you want?" The text wants to signify that all creatures, as though they were living creatures, bend their ear to God. Every time he wants to show the difference in their formation, God talks about "begetting" and "maternal womb." Every time, on the other hand, he wants to show their docility and perfection, he depicts them as if they bent their ear to his call. Why did he present himself not only as a craftsman but as a father as well? This is because the art that presides over nature is quite superior to any manual art, for it is, so to speak, divine. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 38:35A-B