Genesis 14:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Hence, let us diligently practice reading the Scriptures, for through continual reflection upon them, we gain knowledge. It is unfathomable that someone who earnestly devotes themselves to God’s Word would be overlooked; indeed, even in the absence of a human teacher, the Lord Himself enlightens our hearts, sharpens our understanding, and unveils hidden truths, becoming our guide in unexplored matters, provided we commit ourselves to our part. “Ye shall not be called,” the Scriptures remind us, “teachers” (Matthew 23:8).

As we take a spiritual book into our hands, let us focus our minds, gather our thoughts, and strip away every worldly distraction. We should approach our reading with reverence and full attention, so that we might be deemed worthy of the Holy Spirit's guidance in grasping the Scriptures' meanings and reaping their abundant benefits. Consider the Ethiopian eunuch—an outsider—who, despite his grandeur and traveling by chariot, devoted himself to reading the Scriptures without understanding. Yet, his sincere effort and diligence drew him a leader. Reflect on the significance of his commitment to reading even while on a journey. May those who hesitate to read at home be encouraged, recognizing that the Scriptures are not a burdensome task; the eunuch, who had every reason to dismiss the practice due to his rank and circumstances, instead allowed his good disposition and diligence to reign over his challenges.

Seeing their commitment, God’s loving kindness does not overlook him and swiftly sends a guide. Notice how God’s wisdom first prompts the eunuch to do all he can before providing assistance. When the eunuch took the initiative, the angel of the Lord instructed Philip, saying, “Arise and go at noon, to the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is deserted. And behold,” he adds, “the Ethiopian man, the eunuch, the nobleman of Candace, queen of Ethiopia, who oversees her treasures, was returning after worshiping in Jerusalem and was on his chariot, reading the prophet Isaiah” (Acts 8:26-28). The writer emphasizes his ethnicity and nobility, highlighting his noble status; he traveled to Jerusalem to worship. His journey indicates his deep reverence for God, as worship at that time was centralized in one place, prompting individuals to undertake long travels for this purpose. After achieving his goal, the Scriptures tell us he was on his way back, reading in his chariot.

Then Philip approached him and asked, “Do you understand what you read?” (Acts 8:30). Here is a thoughtful individual, unaware of the text's meaning yet earnestly reading and seeking a mentor. The apostle’s question ignited this desire within him. His worthy response reveals his readiness for guidance: when Philip, dressed in modest attire, inquired, “Do you understand?” the eunuch displayed no shame or indignation. Instead, he humbly stated, “How can I understand unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31). His humility is evident, further demonstrated by inviting the seemingly poor Philip to join him in his chariot. Observe his eagerness and reverence—a true God-loving disposition that aligns with the wisdom of a certain sage: “If thou seest a wise man, go to him from early morning, and let thy foot grind down the thresholds of his doors” (Sir. 7:36).

Do not overlook the significance of God’s unyielding attention to the earnest. By faithfully fulfilling his responsibilities, this eunuch was eventually rewarded with a guide who explained the prophet's words, thus illuminating his understanding. Observe how beneficial it is to read the Holy Scriptures with keen interest and diligence. I share this narrative about the foreigner so that none might hesitate to emulate the Ethiopian eunuch, who persisted in his reading despite traveling. He serves as a reminder for all—those leading a home life, engaging in military duty, bearing titles, and essentially for everyone, including women and monastics. There are no circumstances that should hinder our engagement with God’s Word.

Reading can occur anywhere—be it at home, in the marketplace, while traveling, or amidst life’s busyness. Through our earnest efforts, we may quickly receive guidance. The Lord, perceiving our desire for spiritual insight, will not disregard us but will illuminate our understanding. Let us not abandon the practice of reading, whether we grasp it completely or not; our frequent engagement will imprint its teachings firmly within us. What we might struggle to grasp today could suddenly become clear upon revisiting it tomorrow, for our kind-hearted God invisibly enlightens our minds. We have discussed the essentiality of consistently reading the Scriptures.

Furthermore, it is vital to understand that the Lord operates similarly in all things—when we exert effort, He generously offers His assistance, just as He swiftly sent a guide to the Ethiopian. To further clarify this point, consider the account of the patriarch we reflected on recently. Recall how Abraham, through his immense humility in giving Lot the prime land, received substantial rewards from above, a promise far exceeding his merits. Let us conclude by observing once again the virtue of the righteous, so that we may recognize God's unfathomable care for those who seek Him. God consistently grants righteousness to the patriarch and follows with divine rewards, wishing for us to learn from his example, encouraging us to first endeavor to act virtuously and then await God's blessings.

Now, I present the teaching for today, which needs little explanation; merely reading speaks volumes regarding the righteous man's virtue. “And it came to pass,” the Scriptures declare, “in the days of Amraphel king of Sennair, Arioch king of Ellasar, Cedorlaomer king of Elam, and Fidal king of Goim, that they waged war against Bera king of Sodom, against Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemaver king of Seboim, and against the king of Bela, which is Sihor. All these joined forces in the valley of Siddim, where the Salt Sea is located.” Note how meticulously the Scriptures record the names of both kings and nations, signifying their brutal nature. They “went forth to make war” against Sodom and the other kings.

Additionally, the ‘valley of the salt pits,’ as described in the book of Genesis, previously contained tar pits, which, following God’s judgment and the rain of sulphur, transformed into what is now known as the Dead Sea. The Greeks refer to it as λίμνη ὰσϕαλτῖτις, translating to ‘the lake of tar.’

Prior to the ultimate destruction of the Sodomites, God permitted their enemies to invade and take them captive, urging them to turn from their wicked ways and seek repentance. The compassionate Lord desires not the demise of the unrighteous, despite their deserving eternal judgement; He does not enact punishment immediately but allows certain trials and tribulations to arise—such as foreign invasions, conflict, famine, disease, and other sufferings—to prompt a return to righteousness. Should they remain unrepentant despite these afflictions, He ultimately abandons them to ruin and desolation.

This was the case for the Sodomites: initially, they faced punishment through a severe scourge, and when they failed to repent, they were consumed by fire, as will be discussed further. This exemplifies how God uses sinful nations to chastise others; the wicked serve as instruments of divine discipline. For instance, He has chastised the Jews with the Chaldeans, the Chaldeans with the Persians, the Persians with the Greeks, the Greeks with the Romans, the Romans with the Goths, and in our time, He punishes Christians through the Hagarians, which can be seen in places like Greece.