On the sixth of this month [May], we commemorate the Holy Righteous, Much-Suffering and Prophet Job.
Verses
Although dead your manly rock is unforgettable,
And how Job will I hide the rock in the netherworld of forgetfulness?
On the sixth much-enduring Job was enwrapped in death's cloud.
And how Job will I hide the rock in the netherworld of forgetfulness?
On the sixth much-enduring Job was enwrapped in death's cloud.
Job was from the land of Ausis, on the borders of Idumea and Arabia, and was a descendant of one of the sons of Esau, the first-born child of Isaac, so that he was the fifth from Abraham. His father was Zare and mother Bosorrha, and his name before was Jobab. He had prophesied for forty-five years, and lived one thousand nine hundred and twenty-five years before the coming of Christ.
The devil had asked from God for this righteous man in order to chastise him, and by this chastisement make him lose his patience that he may blaspheme against God, for God Himself had testified of him, that he was righteous and blameless and exceeded all the other righteous people of his time. Therefore God permitted the righteous one to be given into his hands.
Having received permission, the devil stripped the righteous one of all his belongings. And having made him endure leprosy and other wounds and indescribable suffering, he withdrew in shame. Since the assaults of these trials, which were procured for the righteous one, did not attain his purpose, namely to make him blaspheme against God, instead the opposite of his purpose took place. For the righteous Job was firm and unmoving during these trials, and instead of blaspheming, he thanked God. Thus God at the end of his struggles, proclaimed the following to him: "Do not set aside My judgment, and do you think that I have dealt with you in any other way, than that you might appear to be righteous?" (Job 40:8). By this God gave him all the children and belongings, which He permitted to be taken from him.
Regarding everything about Job, it is set forth in the book that bears his name. After his trials he lived a hundred and seventy years, so that all the years of his life before his wounds and after his wounds, come to two hundred and forty-eight.*
Notes:
* St. Ephraim the Syrian, in his Commentary on Job (42:16), writes: "Scripture reports that God increased by half all of Job's things, except for the children. It is evident, therefore, that the length of his life was also increased by a half. If he had lived 170 years when he was delivered from that calamity, it appears that he lived for 85 years more to the end of his life, that is, for the number of years that is the half of 170. Now, if you add 85 years to the 170 years he had lived before, you have a sum of 255. Actually Scripture declares that Job lived 248 years, therefore those 7 years that are not included in the sum were the years of his temptation. And with good reason they were not counted, because they appear to belong to a period of death more than life."
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
As an indestructible tower of manly courage, thou didst repulse the attacks of Belial and remain unmoved in temptations. Wherefore the Church sings of thee, O wise Job, as a model of endurance and an example of virtue; and she is made radiant by thine exploits.
Kontakion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Thou wast true and just, pious, blameless and holy, O glorious servant of God. Thou didst enlighten the world by thy perseverance, O much-afflicted Job. Therefore we all honour and praise thy memory.
