Jó 5
John Chrysostom · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Jó 5:1
Through these words Eliphaz shows the excellence of God. Since it was natural for Job to examine his own situation on the ground of his personal reflections, observe what Eliphaz says: "Do not speak so." God is great. He does many things that we don't understand. Our lowliness is profound.… Whatever God might do, he does well. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 5:1A
Jó 5:2
But the wise person examines all with care, whereas the fool sees nothing. This certainly means that it is God who "causes the foolish to be destroyed by his wrath, while ardor makes him who has gone astray, perish." This refers to the ardor of God. "His wrath causes the foolish to disappear" means, in my opinion, that God's wrath causes the sinners to disappear. "Wrath destroys the foolish one," Eliphaz says, and therefore it does not destroy the sensible. Wrath, in fact, has no place among the sensible. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 5:2
Jó 5:3
Notice how Eliphaz anticipates possible objections. "Do not say to me, 'Often they also had children.' Yes, but never for a long time." Since it made good sense to ask, "If Job was a sinner, how had he come to possess such great wealth?" Eliphaz responds, "I have seen fools taking root." You see that by fool he means the sinner. It is typical of the divine economy not to destroy sinners immediately. Rather, God grants them a delay so that they may repent, or so that others not be forced to act in a righteous manner. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 5:3
Jó 5:15-16
Look! This is what God does, so the weak may hope for happiness and the powerful may not become proud. In fact, he said above, "Call for help in order to see whether you will be listened to," so that you may not think that there are things that escape providence.… Eliphaz dedicates the beginning of his speech to the defeat of Job. Indeed, God is accustomed to exalt the weak, to bring the powerful down and to confound the cunning. Now draw your own conclusions. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 5:15B-16B
Jó 5:18
If God brings evils to an end and transforms them into their opposite, causing mortals to enjoy a profound peace, it is the same thought, not a different one, that guides God in his present attitude. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 5:18
Jó 5:25-27
Notice how Eliphaz … has inflicted a severe blow. How and in what manner? By showing that Job is not among those who receive a warning or among those who keep faith. Indeed, Eliphaz has applied his words to the person of Job, but his speech has a general meaning. For he says: Here is what we have seen and understood; but if this did not occur in your case, and if you remain in your misfortunes, it is up to you to recognize your own perversity. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 5:25-27