Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Job 3:23

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath encompassed with darkness? For 'man's way is hid to him,' in that though he already takes cognizance of the kind of life that he is leading, he does not yet know to what issue it tends. Though his affections are now fixed on things above, though he seeks them with all his longings, he is yet ignorant whether he shall persevere in the same longings. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book V ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Someone could object that although life is useless if given to miserable men, yet it is useful if given to those who enjoy prosperity. He removes this possibility saying, "Why are they (i.e. light and life) given to man whose way is hidden?" The way of a man is hidden because he does not know how the state of his present prosperity will end. As Proverbs says, "Laughter will be mixed with pain, and the end of joy is grief," (Prov. …

Commentary on Job ↗