John Chrysostom

"Death is rest for man." This is what Job declares. Now if death brings rest, why don't the majority of people rush to it? Because God has made life desirable in order to prevent us from running to death. "Its way is hidden." In my opinion Job is speaking about death, but by pretending that his words are about the way of humankind. This indicates that Job's words concerning death are what has been said before, especially in the expression, "they dig for it more than for hidden treasures," things that are evidently hidden. Our future is unknown, Job says. We do not uncover it. Please do not speak to me about those who hang themselves, because Job speaks about what conforms to nature and the commandments of God. "God has surrounded it," he says, "with a wall." As the gospel states, "The day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night." To avoid the response, "Why do you not choose death?" Job answers, "The Lord has surrounded it with a wall." Its doors are closed.