THEOSISAmbrose of Milan
When the Egyptians burdened the Israelites with relentless toil—making bricks from clay—the sons of Israel cried out for divine mercy. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "I have heard the cries of the children of Israel as they suffer under the Egyptians' oppression, and I have remembered My covenant. Go and tell the children of Israel, I am the Lord; I will rescue you from the burdens of the Egyptians, free you from their oppression, and redeem you with a mighty hand and with great judgments. I will accept you as My people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Lord your God, who has delivered you from the oppression of Egypt, and I will bring you into the land I have promised" (Ex. 6:5-8).
Read more (116 words)
This illustrates how the Jewish people exchanged toil for fruitfulness; those who labored with unclean clay gained the hope of eternal life. In the Gospel, the Lord showed compassion for the futility of the Gentiles' works, who built walls of false beliefs from clay because their indulgence in carnal pleasures prevented them from constructing a sturdy wall of faith. It was as if some among them had heard the call of the one who brings joy, "Come to Me, all you who labor, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).