Israel has rejected what is good; they pursued the enemy; they ruled themselves, not by My authority; they had rulers and did not regard Me; from their wealth they crafted idols, which would lead to their ruin. Our translation says: let there be a trumpet in your throat, aligning with the Hebrew phrase alechchac sophar, which is paralleled by Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion. Only the LXX mentions: in their innermost being it is as the earth, though its significance remains uncertain. Some suggest that 'innermost being' could refer both to the lower garment covering a person's legs and to a bay like that of the Adriatic, Ionian, or Marmara, noting that false teachers following the blasphemous ways of the Egyptians harbor lustful and worldly desires, akin to seeking only earthly treasures at the docks of their navigation. However, adhering to the authentic Hebrew text, we will detail the explanation we have initiated.
A command is given to the prophet, instructing him to sound a trumpet with his voice, that it may be heard far and wide, for countless have sinned. When you raise your voice, proclaim loudly: like an eagle shall the king of the Chaldeans strike the house of the Lord. This indicates that Nebuchadnezzar and his army will arrive with such swiftness, like an eagle seeking its prey, targeting not elsewhere but Jerusalem, the location of God's temple, to devastate it. Ezekiel elaborates on this eagle (Ezekiel 17), describing its grand wings, feathers, and talons, and its commission to enter Lebanon, meaning the temple of God, as mentioned by the prophet Zechariah, who writes, "Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may consume your cedars" (Zechariah 11:1). Therefore, I instruct you, O prophet, to sound a trumpet in your throat, to exclaim loudly that the king of the Chaldeans will assault the house of the Lord, and this is commanded because they have broken My covenant and abandoned My service. In times of great distress, when the captivity arrives, they will cry out to Me, declaring, My God, we Israel have known You; those called Israel recognize You, holding onto the ancient name of Jacob, which pleases You.
But the Lord responds, How can you call yourselves Israel when you have rejected that which is good, the Lord your God, who bestowed the name upon you? Because Israel has turned away from the good, the enemy, the Assyrian, will pursue them and take them captive, for they have forsaken Me, their King, and sought a king for themselves like the other nations, acting in opposition to My will. Samuel warned them about the burdens of kingship, saying, Their sons and daughters shall be servants to kings (1 Samuel 8), encouraging them to turn to the Lord as their King. Yet, contrary to God’s design, they established kings for themselves. Their offenses did not stop there; they compounded their wrongdoing by turning their silver and gold, meant for glory and adornment, into idols. Thus, Saul became king, not by God’s will, but by the folly of the people, and lacking a foundation in righteousness, he was swiftly consumed by wickedness once he began to rule. The statement, They reigned, yet not by Me, refers also to Jeroboam, son of Nebat, and the subsequent rulers. God, angered with Solomon, chose to divide the kingdom, yet it does not imply that Israel acted rightly in demanding a king. The law required them to seek God’s approval first. Thus, it is also noted about the Savior that it is destined for the Son of Man to be betrayed, but woe to the one by whom the betrayal occurs (Luke 22:22).
Frequent comparisons in Scripture liken the devil to an eagle desiring to nest above the heavenly stars: Though you ascend like an eagle, I will bring you down, says the Lord (Obadiah 1:4). Furthermore, it warns against the heart that swears deceitfully, leading to the demise of the old, devouring the chicks of the eagle (Proverbs 30:17), suggesting the loss of spiritual vision due to demonic influences. Accordingly, the law forbids consumption of the eagle (Leviticus 11). This eagle will attack the gatherings of heretics that once represented the house of the Lord, for they have broken God’s covenant and forsaken His law, wrongly calling upon Him, declaring: You are my God, and we know You, O Israel, who perceive God and carry the name of Christ. Yet their declaration is in vain, for they have appointed kings contrary to My will, and those who reign as princes are My adversaries, unworthy of My recognition. Their wealth and resources, formed from their words and thoughts, have been restructured into idols from their hearts; rather than leading them to destruction, this error has brought about their downfall. Their intent was not for demise, yet their actions resulted in their ruin.
THEOSIS