“The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.”
God continues 'The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searches after every green thing.' This verse describes the wild ass roaming and feeding in mountainous terrain. The description of the ass seeking green things for food suggests divine provision even in wilderness; grass grows that the ass might eat. The image of the mountains as pasture emphasizes the vastness of wild space compared to cultivated land. Job has not provided this pasture; God has. The verse subtly emphasizes that divine provision is comprehensive and extends even to creatures Job does not see or care for. The image of the ass searching for green things also raises implicit questions: does the ass always find food? Does the ass sometimes starve? If so, is this also part of divine provision?
Church Fathers on Job 39:8
He looks round on the mountains of his pasture. The mountains of his pasture are the lofty contemplations of inward refreshment. For the more holy men abase themselves outwardly with contempt, the more abundantly are they supported within with the contemplation of revelations. Whence it is written; He hath disposed the ascents in his heart in the valley of tears; because those, whom the valley of humility outwardly imprisons in tears, the ascent of contemplation elevates…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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