THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Observe how swiftly a single vow can ensnare. The troops traversed beneath an oak, near a beehive, and it was said, “there was a beehive before the village,” whereupon the soldiers engaged with it, exclaiming, “Do you perceive the depth of this temptation?” The feast was laid out without any prior preparation, making it convenient and delightful to partake, while the hope of secrecy led the warriors to break their solemn promise. In the meantime, hunger, toil, and the passage of time—‘the whole earth,’ it has been said, ‘dined’—all conspired to draw them into transgression.
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Even the sight of the honeycomb stirred their desires and weakened their mental stronghold; the allure of the meal’s sweetness, combined with the ease of access and the minimal risk of being discovered, overwhelmed their resolve. Had the offering been meat that required cooking, their souls might not have been so easily tempted, as it would have necessitated halting their advance, slowing their pace, and risking exposure. Yet, here there was no such hindrance, only honey, needing no elaborate effort, just a fingertip to savor its taste and evade detection. Nevertheless, the soldiers refrained from their craving, refusing to entertain thoughts of, “What does it matter to us? Did any of us take this vow? Shouldn’t he face consequences for such thoughtlessness? Why did he make that promise?” Instead, they paid no heed to such reasoning; they chose to pass by, holding firm, despite numerous temptations surrounding them. “And men went out saying”—what did they discuss? They conversed amongst themselves to alleviate their distress through dialogue.