THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Even the ruler, despite possessing an abundance of everything, could not escape the grip of jealousy, declaring, “Depart from us, for you have become much stronger than we are.” Such animosity! Why do you cast aside a just man? Has he wronged you in any manner? Has he offended you in any way? Yet this is the nature of envy: it operates without reason. If the ruler recognized that the just man was favored by the Almighty, he should have held him in greater esteem and served him diligently, understanding that by honoring the righteous man, he himself could obtain blessings from above.
Read more (269 words)
Instead, he not only fails to do this but actively seeks to drive him away, insisting, “Remove yourself from us, for you have become much stronger than we are.” Hatred is such that it cannot bear the joy of others; it views the well-being of a neighbor as a personal loss and finds weariness in witnessing their good fortune. This was evident in the situation at hand, where the king, wielding control over the entire city and instilling fear, addressed the wanderer, the stranger passing through: “Depart from us, for you have become much stronger than we are.” Indeed, he was stronger, bolstered by heavenly assistance in all matters and safeguarded by God's right hand. Where does one persecute a just man? Are you unaware that wherever he may go, he is under the protection of his Lord? Has experience not shown you how the hand of God exalts the righteous? Why do you demonstrate ingratitude to his Master by attempting to expel a just man? The profound humility of this man could not quell your jealousy; instead, overcome by your fervor, you seek to satisfy your animosity and force away one who has done you no wrong. Do you not realize that even if you drive him into the wilderness, he has a Master so adept that he will still be glorified even in solitude? No force can prevail against one who is nurtured by heavenly aid, and nothing is weaker than a man who lacks divine support. Can you not perceive, beloved, the moral degradation of both the king of Gerar and all the people residing there?