THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
He elucidates why he justly withdraws authority from rulers; for many altars were attributed to Ephraim as transgressions. The prophet’s message pertains to the initial Jeroboam, leader of the tribe of Ephraim, and his successors who constructed altars for false deities on every peak and hill, leading the Israelites to offer sacrifices to them. Instead of being sorrowful over such brazen actions (for they “multiplied the transgressions into sins”), they, as stated, cherished these deeds, and furthermore, “the transgressions beloved were imputed to him” (evidently to Ephraim).
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This clearly indicates the altars erected in the ancient tabernacle, or in Jerusalem, the holy temple, which had two: one for fruit offerings in the first tabernacle, and the other, a golden altar for incense in the inner sanctuary. The offenses committed by the kings of Ephraim are, therefore, manifold. The foremost is their creation of altars for sin; the second is their adoration of such altars, which ought to have evoked lamentation for their offense against God; and importantly, they alienated those precious altars that should have been cherished and revered. Amid the elucidated words, it is stated, “I will write unto him a multitude and lawful of them.” What does this imply? By multitude, He refers to the numerous altars erected for them that lead them into sin; and “their lawfulness” denotes the sacrifices instituted by the law, or the designated times and manners of offering, through which they engaged in detestable practices (for they “sowed wheat and wine,” attempting to perform various other profane acts). These transgressions, I will inscribe among their sins. Thus, the redemptive act involves cherishing God’s altars and safeguarding those ordained by Him, rather than seeking out others that lead to transgression. This also applies to those who are not genuine Christians, yet after receiving holy baptism, embrace Hellenic customs and practices. They ought to echo the words of Paul: “You cannot partake of the Lord's meal, nor of the devil's meal” (1 Cor. 10:21). But those who unite with wicked heretics and partake in their altars have truly rendered the beloved altars foreign: for they have constructed altars for sin, sacrificing the lamb outside the sacred and divine precincts, which is the church.