“Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,”
In order to turn man back from his deed and to cover man with pride from the pit, establishing the purpose of divine communication through dreams: to redirect humans from destructive paths and to preserve them from the pit (destruction). The turning back from deed suggests redirection. The covering from pride suggests prevention of the arrogance that leads to destruction. The keeping from pit suggests salvation from ruin. The verse establishes that divine communication serves human benefit.
Church Fathers on Job 33:16
Then He openeth the ears of men, and teaching, instructeth them with discipline. For when they are dead to outward objects, they hear with open ears the causes which come before their inward judgment. And when they consider minutely with themselves either their open punishments, or their secret judgments, they cease not to afflict themselves with tears. Whence it is well said, And teaching, He instructeth them with discipline, because to a mind which reflects and wounds…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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