THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
In these statements, the prophet elaborates on the promise that people from every corner of the earth, representing all nations, will find unity in Christ through faith, embracing the bond of love that characterizes the sanctified. Prior to His glorious crucifixion, Christ directed His holy Apostles, saying, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, neither enter into a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 10:5, 6) and "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 15:24). When they reached the height of wickedness, they violently opposed Christ, executed the Author of Life, and rejected the Holy and Righteous One.
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However, after conquering death and resurrecting, He commanded His holy followers, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19, 20).
After His ascension to heaven and following the outpouring of power upon them from above, the disciples did not limit their preaching to Judea alone. Some ventured eastward to neighboring cities, while others traveled west, reaching out to the surrounding Gentiles. Those who desired to traverse the entire region often utilized ships. This is echoed by the Apostle Paul, who recounted his experiences, stating, "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck" (2 Cor. 11:25). The author of the Acts of the Apostles notes that Paul and his companions boarded ships from Alexandria, specifically those named Dioscuri (Acts 28:11), highlighting the common practice of marking ships, particularly Alexandrian vessels, with such titles on their bows, reflecting the idolatry prevalent at the time. Thus, the owner of the vessel, linked to idolatry, would have contributed to the name.
So it can be said that on ships crewed by those from non-Israelite backgrounds, they would swiftly navigate the seas, akin to birds soaring over the waters. Scripture often refers to the sea as the west, symbolizing a vast and expansive region. The blessed David acknowledges God's dominion over the earth by declaring, "Thou hast made the north and the sea" (Ps. 88:13). It is unquestionable that both the esteemed Peter and the wise Paul proclaimed Christ in these western territories. The prophet also states, "And they shall be taken captive, saith he, from the east of the sun, and from Idumea; and he shall lay his hands upon Moab: and the children of Ammon shall obey him." The lands beyond Idumea and those nearby were filled with idolaters, differing significantly in belief from those who worshiped the one true God.
While the Idumeans, Moabites, and the children of Ammon shared geographical proximity with the Israelites, they were fundamentally opposed and hostile. They worshipped celestial bodies, venerating their goddess Dennitah above others. Nonetheless, these nations were the first to recognize the true light of the divine Morning Star illuminating their minds and hearts. Rejecting the darkness of their former ways and abandoning the worship of created things, they instead honored Christ. Significantly, even those who had previously opposed them—the Israelites—became their hidden guides and teachers on the path to salvation.