And there shall be like people like priest: and I will visit their ways upon them, and I will repay them their devices.
וְהָיָ֥ה כָעָ֖ם כַּכֹּהֵ֑ן וּפָקַדְתִּ֤י עָלָיו֙ דְּרָכָ֔יו וּמַעֲלָלָ֖יו אָשִׁ֥יב לֽוֹ׃
6 Church Fathers comment on this verse
In referring to actions as 'pathways,' it is stated, Shall I bring judgment upon them for their actions and recompense them for their intentions? I will not only address their deeds, but also their plans - meaning the individuals themselves. Our punishment arises not solely from our actions but also from our intentions.
At the outset - consider verse 8, “And I will avenge their ways upon them, and their thoughts I will repay them.” The term “ways” refers to one’s actions, while “thoughts” pertain to sins stemming from misguided reasoning. The Lord states that the people of Israel did not adhere to the righteous path but rather deviated into wickedness, entertaining shameful and abominable ideas, failing to honor the one true God, and turning to idolatry. Consequently, He declares that He will render equitable punishment for their transgressions. It is undeniable that countless afflictions have historically afflicted those who stray from the love of God. The people of Israel wandered from the straight and pure way and lacked sound judgment, never guided by divine wisdom and power.
As the community of believers is, so shall their spiritual leaders be. This profound truth will come to pass after the Crucifixion, when the grace of the priesthood is withdrawn from the people of Judah and bestowed upon those who previously had no priesthood.
In their increase, they have transgressed against Me; I will transform their glory into shame. The sins of My people they shall consume, and their souls shall be stirred by their wickedness. Whatever happens to the people will also happen to the priest; I will discipline him according to his conduct and reward him for his thoughts. LXX: In their increase, they have sinned against Me; I will turn their glory into shame. The sins of My people they shall consume, and by their wrongdoing, others will seize their souls. What will transpire for the people will also befall the priest; I will correct him according to his actions and recompense him for his intentions. Consider how many men Israel had, and how many altars to false gods it erected, through sacrifices by which it sinned against Me.
Thus, the glory they established to honor themselves, choosing idols over God, will become a source of disgrace for them, leading both the priests and the people into captivity. For the priests consume the sins of My people, as it is written, "They that eat up My people into a meal of bread" (Psalm 13:4). Yet, they absorb the sins of My people in complicity with the transgressions of the guilty; when witnessing their sin, they neither admonish them nor condemn them but instead praise and exalt them as virtuous. Isaiah also remarks, "My people, you who are flattered, are led astray" (Isaiah 3:12). Similarly, the Psalmist proclaims: "The wicked are commended in the desires of their souls, and the one who commits sin is deemed blessed" (Psalm 9:24). Thus, both the people and the priest will equally encounter the decree of a wrathful God; for He will chastise them not only for their actions, which are referred to as the paths they tread, but also for the intentions behind those actions. The punishment will thus arise from both the deed itself and the thought of a sinful act. This is especially evident among heretics; the greater their numbers, the more they sin against God, exalting themselves among the nations and misleading the vulnerable—consuming the sins of the people while cloaked in flattering language that corrupts the innocent (Luke 20:47). They claim that God desires nothing but genuine faith, asserting that if one maintains it, He is unconcerned with their actions. Yet, in speaking thus, they embolden their own souls through wickedness, leading them not to repentance or humility but to revelry in their sins, lifting their heads in pride. Therefore, both the people and the priest, both the instructed and those who instruct, will be subject to the same judgment.
The condition of the people will reflect that of the priest. Thus, you, resembling the community, will face judgment; for you have been given the responsibility of tending to the afflicted, yet in your negligence, you have failed to care for the ailing. I will bring upon them the consequences of their actions and will reward them according to their works. They will be held accountable not only for their wrongful acts but also for their inappropriate thoughts.
A priest is not set apart from the laity if he does not excel in his deeds beyond those of his congregation.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS