THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
These thoughts may resonate with our recent discussion. The land of Egypt, once abundant in water, God allowed to dry, facilitating passage for those intending to traverse its lakes and rivers. The expanse of Egypt became separated into two regions: one fertile and well-suited for agriculture, where vineyards flourished; the other, situated by the lakes, where inhabitants depended on the bounty of the waters, engaging in fishing, harvesting papyrus, crafting paper, and weaving fine linen. The people residing near the waters were referred to as shepherds, tending large herds of cattle, while simultaneously facing a significant shortage of bread, wine, and other essentials.
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Once the water recedes, they will quench their thirst with what they can extract from the coastline, as the rivers and canals run dry. Every marshy pool will lack water, and all aquatic vegetation will wither away, resulting in the fishermen lamenting their loss, along with those producing flax or brewing barley beer. In times of water scarcity, they will experience deprivation in what had once provided them with joy and sustenance. This conveys a potent lesson drawn from history.
However, if one wishes to delve into alternative interpretations of this water scarcity, they need not stray from the intended message. The waters may be likened to the hollow and irrational discourse of Greek philosophers, while the fish, papyrus, and reeds symbolize the multitude of people. The fishermen and those who derive their sustenance from the waters reflect those who ensnare the naïve masses, leading them astray as if with hooks. Such individuals will anguish and grieve their spirits when their thoughts become idle; by likening it to the waters, we imply that if completely drained, all that relies on it for sustenance will likewise perish.
They brew beer, providing not the joyful wine that uplifts the heart but rather a hollow and fruitless doctrine, contentedly believing that it stems from insubstantial rhetoric. This is perhaps suggested by their production of extremely fine linen and prepared flax, as trivialities occupy their conversations. Yet, these discussions prove utterly ineffectual, inundated with harmful fictions. Beer, being cold, reflects the Egyptians' own chill and turbid beverages; this mirrors their speech and teachings, which fail to satisfy thirst, instead exacerbating it, bringing discomfort to those who partake, and resulting in grievous afflictions stemming from the bitter cold.