THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The term "day" in this context signifies the period associated with the divine calling. This reflects the practice observed in the inspired Scriptures. It is thus made clear that Israel will eventually experience an abundance of divine benefits and gifts, attaining glory through faith in Christ. As He states, there shall be a plentiful outpouring of rain; this interpretation aligns with the sentiment expressed when He says, “I will listen to the heavens.” Moreover, the earth will provide us with essential and beneficial produce. Indeed, without the will of God, neither the heavens rain upon the earth, nor does the earth yield its fruits in due season. Understanding this, the prophet Jeremiah prayed, saying, “Is there any food in the sculptured of the Gentiles that rains?
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Or can the heavens give their moisture? Art thou not the Lord our God? And we wait upon thee, O Lord, for thou hast made all these things” (Jeremiah 14:22). When the Creator graciously reaches out to those who inhabit the earth, the heavens will become the source of rain, and the earth will nurture the essential fruits together. Thus, “I will listen to the heavens” indicates that He will command the rain to fall upon the earth's inhabitants. When this occurs, the earth will “hear wheat, and wine, and oil,” meaning it will produce an abundance for those who dwell upon it, ensuring that nothing necessary for life is lacking. This provides the historical interpretation of these words. Yet, from the material aspects, we are called to shift toward the spiritual realm. When Israel, described as “the vine of the Lord, the new garden of the beloved,” was unruly, disobedient, and in opposition to God, He decreed, “the cloud, .... thou shalt not rain upon it” (Isaiah 5:6-7). Here, the term "clouds" refers to the holy, intelligent, and heavenly beings through whom divine encouragement is conveyed. As noted by the apostle Paul, they are “ministering spirits” sent to serve those who seek to inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). Following the time of discipline, the once ungrateful benefactor was redeemed through faith and ultimately embraced with “truth, and in judgement, and in mercy, and in bounty,” as God who abundantly provides for all (1 Timothy 6; cf. James 1:5), bestowed upon him the greatest blessings; He commanded the clouds to release rain, representing comfort for the soul. That the angelic beings possess nothing of their own but receive all from God was made evident when it was said, “Heaven will listen to heaven”; this signifies that those in heaven, the holy intelligences, will serve as instruments of His gifts, encouraging those who have received forgiveness. Consequently, the earth will “hear wheat, and wine, and oil,” indicating that those who inhabit the earth will be filled with life, joy, and gladness. Wheat symbolizes sustenance, wine denotes rejoicing, and oil represents joy and prosperity; for believers, there is hope rooted in goodness, steady and unwavering. Such individuals distance themselves from evil, seek every good thing, and submit to the Lord's yoke, nourished by a sure and genuine hope for eternal life, that they may rejoice with the saints and find joy in their hearts. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed about the saints, “everlasting joy is over their head:.... praise and gladness and joy shall I receive, and sickness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10). Thus, through the hope of life, gladness, and joy, as well as the highest spiritual comforts, the earthly people will listen. Furthermore, the fruits of the lives of the saints will glorify Christ, for “One died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15), as indicated by the phrase “And these shall hear Jezrael.” We, who owe our very lives to Him, shall bear fruit for Him. It has often been stated that Jezrael signifies the seed of God, which is the Son, begotten naturally and incomprehensibly from God the Father, albeit expressed through terminology pertaining to fleshly birth.