Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Job 42:8

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

Take unto you seven bulls, and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a whole burnt offering. But My servant Job shall pray for you; his face I will accept, that folly be not imputed to you. 11. Behold the just and merciful God neither passes over their faults without reproof, nor yet leaves their guilt without conversion. For since He is our inward Physician, He first made known the corruptions of our wound, and afterwards pointed out the remedies for obtaining health. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book XXXV ↗

Thomas Aquinas

To expiate grave sins the ancients used to offer sacrifice, and so he says, "Therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams," because they were elders of the people. Seven is the number of totality and so seven sacrifices can expiate for grave sins. But because those who lack faith ought to be reconciled to God through the faithful, he says, "Go to my servant Job," so that you may be reconciled to me by his mediation, "and offer holocausts for yourselves," so that you who have sinned may make satisfaction. …

Commentary on Job ↗