THEOSISJerome of Stridon
And I will bring about a transformation, restoring them through the change of Sodom and her daughters, as well as through the change of Samaria and her daughters. I will also transform your transition among them, so you will feel the weight of your shame and be embarrassed by all that you have done in consoling them. The great prosperity of Jerusalem stems from the shame and disgrace it willingly endured, imposed upon it by the decree of God, promising a return to its former glory. However, in light of its many wrongdoings, Sodom and Samaria are deemed righteous; one stands on the right, the other on the left.
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Thus, the restoration of Sodom's captivity comes first, as translated by Aquila, followed by the recovery of Samaria, according to Aquila and Symmachus, and finally, Jerusalem, which has borne a heavier burden of sin, will be restored. It is evident that among the three wrongdoers—the pagan, the heretic, and the church member—the one with the highest status warrants far greater punishment. As we have said, the stronger shall face greater torment (Prem. 6:6-7). Yet, the least among them is more deserving of mercy. The servant who fulfills his master's will but fails to comply with it shall receive severe discipline (Luke 12:47). Therefore, Peter states, ‘It is time to begin judgment from the house of God’ (1 Pet. 4:17). This prophet commands those who wield the axes: ‘You shall begin with my consecrated ones’ (Ezek. 9:6). The former sisters shall undergo transformation and return to their previous state, and thereafter, Jerusalem will bear its shame, feeling embarrassed and blushing for all its transgressions. In doing so, it will also provide comfort to its sisters by enduring even greater sufferings. Alternatively, it may feel this shame as a result of having provoked God's wrath. It is thus evident that God does not embody anger, but our vices elicit His wrath; the infinitely good and merciful God is moved to anger, as the Apostle teaches: ‘Or do you not know the riches of His goodness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself’ (Romans 2:4-5), a wrath He does not possess inherently. Additionally, it is written, ‘You have sent forth your wrath, which I have made to appear like a stalk’ (Exodus 15:7). What is bound and unified within one body cannot be separated, while that which exists outside the body, such as a spear or an arrow, can be released. The Gospel of Matthew (10) proclaims that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for those lands that rejected the apostles.