Commentary on Job

Hesychius of Jerusalem

You see the greatness of Job's external wealth; but his internal wealth was even greater. The visible riches were splendid, but the invisible riches were even more splendid because they last; visible riches grow old, lose their value and continually collapse into the most pitiful corruption and destruction.

Was there ever a time when the angels did not stand before the Lord? Was it not written about them that "a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him"? But this coming, in our opinion, is that of the angels who had been sent to serve human beings. Paul actually says, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"

Who is "the fire"? The enemy himself, about whom David said, "You will throw burning coals at them." In fact, he could not, as some people believe, cast thunderbolts, nor brandish lightning, nor set in motion any element. Therefore it is the devil in the semblance of fire who fell on the herds of sheep, with the intention of forcing Job to blaspheme God, as if it were he, who from heaven had destroyed the riches of the righteous.

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• More works by Hesychius of Jerusalem

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