Commentary on Job, part 26

The first is somewhat obscure. Stepanos' comment seems to relate the heavenly brightness to the Aurora borealis or Northern lights. The explanation of the second verse is standard allegory--the morning star or Venus is a figure for John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.

Bright in the ancient [heavens] (37:21)

This wind hardens and becomes pure in the gathering of clouds and is colored like gold when it is blowing from the north. By this he signifies the God-like coloring of the elements blown from the north.

Did the morning star see its rank? (38:12)

Before whom John [the Baptist] came like the morning star and saw his rank in this because he said “I am not the Christ” (Jn. 1:20).

Commentary on Job, part 25 (the patience of Job)

Job's grace in enduring the reproaches of the young Elihu is further evidence of his patience.

Behold, the Mighty One works all these things in three ways with man. (33:29)

The divine admonition is threefold: remove oneself from evil, obtain virtue, and drive out insatiable desire from your deeds. He admonishes others things as well: not trusting in buried gold or amassed jewels.

What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water? (34:7)

He praises the patience of Job, who accepts the mocking and reproach of Elihu as one that drinks water without sorrow.

Commentary on Job, part 24 (the wrath of Elihu)

Next we turn to the appearance of Elihu, or Elius according to the rendering of the Septuagint. Stepanos attempts to explain the omission of any prior mention of this man with Job's friends. Elihu's anger is misplaced since he mistakenly perceived Job's protests as "excessively bold" (կարի համաձակ).

Elius, son of Barachiel the Buzite of the family of Aram, of the country of Ausit, was angered (32.2)

The narrator did not mention this man at the arrival of the friends either because he was not one of the friends of the righteous one, or when they came this man was already present as a relative and fellow countryman. It seems that he was a close relation among the grandchildren of Esau. He became very angry at Job because he justified himself before the Lord as though he were excessively bold. Who is justified before the Lord?

Commentary on Job, part 23

The next part of Stepanos' commentary indicates that the possession of wealth itself is consistent with righteousness as long as one is not consumed with the insatiable desire for wealth.

If I arranged my gold in the soil and if I trusted in precious jewels; if I rejoiced in acquiring much wealth, and if I laid my hands on innumerable [treasures]. (31:24-25)

Although the righteous man was wealthy, nevertheless he expelled innumerable and immeasurable desire from his works. He admonishes also others not to trust in buried gold and amassed jewels.