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Jó 6

John Chrysostom · Comentário Patrístico (catena)

Jó 6:1-2

This is what Job means, you show wisdom in the misfortunes of other people. Since you are far away from my misfortunes, you admonish me while you experience a peaceful life. This remark is an answer to the words that were said earlier, "You have instructed many." "You have strengthened the feeble knees." "But now misfortune has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed." Why does he say, "You are dismayed"? I wanted my affliction to become evident, so you would understand that nobody has ever suffered such tribulations. But I perceive my bad luck. He who should have provided me with forgiveness makes me absolutely unforgivable. My misfortune's magnitude, he says, not only doesn't intercede for me, not only makes me seem unworthy of mercy, but condemns me. What should have obtained mercy for me instead makes me hateful and condemnable, and I cannot gain any mercy, in spite of what I say. And the proof is that Eliphaz imputed Job's misfortune to impiety. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 6:2A-3A

Jó 6:7

Sores and pus were not enough. A new affliction is added. Job's disease has destroyed his entire sensitivity to the extent that even his nourishment has become a torture for him. Indeed, Job says, the nauseating smell of gangrene has deprived him of the capability to distinguish sensations. Is there anything more painful than that torment? Neither sleep gave him rest nor food nourished him. "As the smell of a lion," Job says. That wild beast, in fact, gives a horrible stench. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 6:7B

Jó 6:10

"I do not care to oppose your words," Job says. "It seems to me, in fact, that I have committed nothing resembling what you say. I don't state this openly. I simply say that I am suffering punishments that go beyond what human nature can endure. The vastness of my temptations extends far beyond what human bodies can actually bear." However, observe how, even in the midst of such grief, Job has not decided, in any case, to come and relate his good actions. He has hidden them so far. In addition, he who often with great honesty exposed his fault to public mockery before a brilliant audience is silent about his good actions, even while living in such misery. In fact, Job does not say, "I experienced these sufferings, even though I am righteous." Rather, Job says he cannot bear them.… His language is not that of a man who asserts that he is unjustly punished but that of one who recognizes, on the contrary, the justness of his punishment. He simply cannot bear any more punishment and therefore demands that he obtain forgiveness. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 6:10A

Jó 6:16-18

JOB MEANS TO SAY THIS: there is no memory or trace left of my former prosperity. And that is even worse than my misfortune itself. "Oh, that one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me and take up my sorrow in a balance together!" And Job now tries to describe his sorrows. "I perceive my food to be loathsome [as the smell of a lion]." I wish to die, but I do not die. I suffer so because I am a man and not a stone; I am an ephemeral human being, I do not enjoy the aid from above. Among my nearest relations, some pass me by without seeing me; others trample me underfoot. No trace of my former prosperity remains. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 6:16-18B

Jó 6:24

However, even in such a condition, Job does not refuse to learn. "You may say something useful. I will be silent, if you speak helpful words." But they could not, to be sure, present evidence, but simply proceeded through conjectures. And since Job's life was manifestly full of virtue, they supposed that it was not the ground of his punishments. — COMMENTARY ON JOB 6:24A