THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
And it will come to pass on that day, that I will summon my servant Eliakim, the son of Helkiah, and I will adorn him with your robes; I will place your crown and your scepter in his hands. He will act as a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah. I will confer upon him the glory of David, which he will hold without dispute; I will give him the key to the house of David, allowing him to open and close without hindrance. I will establish him in his rightful role, and he will reign upon the throne of his father's house. All who are esteemed in that household will put their trust in him, from the least to the greatest, relying on him in that day.
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This account does not stray from historical fact, as it addresses Somnan, the steward, who misused his priestly honor and oppressed those who came to him, becoming a greedy and shameful figure. Consequently, after his removal to an immense and boundless land, I will call upon my servant Eliakim, the son of Helkiah. By calling him my servant, his fidelity is affirmed. By promising to grant him priestly glory, he indicated that a crown would be placed upon him, along with a mantle, a household, and the authority to govern the people in his care. Furthermore, he affirmed that Eliakim would be characterized by humility, in contrast to Somnan, embodying the example of a devoted and loving father. He will be firmly established, a figure of loyalty, ensuring that every noble soul will find hope in him—not as they would in God, for he lacks that fullness, but as in a tender father. He will embrace and protect both the small and the great, winning such affection that his people will feel as if they depend upon him entirely. This serves, as previously mentioned, as a historical account. Yet, we discern a deeper significance that points toward the mystery of Christ. The scribes and Pharisees, adorned with the priesthood of the law, acted with disobedience and cruelty, indulging in greed, revering the wealthy, and committing acts detestable to God. As Isaiah begins his book with lament, "How the faithful city Zion has become a harlot, full of justice! Righteousness lodged in it, but now murders. Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water. Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes and runs after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them" (Isaiah 1:21-23). The Savior condemned them, exclaiming, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness" (Matthew 23:23), becoming more wicked and treacherous in their deeds. Therefore, they were stripped of their priestly honors and removed from the authority they mismanaged, deprived of the sacred crowns and garments that befit their office. In their place, our Lord Jesus Christ, our great high priest, was called; as the blessed Apostle Paul notes, "No one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was" (Hebrews 5:4). Although He is God by nature, sovereign over all, when He became incarnate, He took on the role of our High Priest and received the glory of David, holding dominion over spiritual Israel. We refer not to Israel of the flesh but to the spiritual Israel; not all who are of Israel are Israel, nor are all children because they are descendants of Abraham" (Romans 9:6-7). Rather, those justified by faith and following the example of their father Abraham are regarded as his offspring, designated as children of promise and Israel. When Christ, our chief shepherd, was revealed, it is stated that no opposing voice shall prevail against him, for the adversary will not succeed, and the son of perdition shall not seize him (Psalm 88:23). There is also another perspective: while Israel resisted Him, the Gentiles willingly accepted His rule. Thus, we find the words spoken by David regarding Israel, "Deliver me from the strife of men; set me as the head of the nations; they do not follow, but serve me, hearing my words. The sons of foreigners have lied to me; the sons of foreigners have sworn allegiance, and they have trembled at their paths" (Psalm 17:44-46). The sons, who were once among the chosen, became strangers by rejecting Christ, and ultimately came to be known as children of destruction, children of Gehenna. But when it is said, "I will establish Eliakim," whose name means "God will raise up," it reflects that God the Word has risen to assist us, as He once declared, "I will now deliver the needy when he cries" (Psalm 72:12). Thus, it follows that all who are esteemed will trust in the household of the Father. What but the Church could be the house of Christ's Father? Those who possess glory within it will trust in Christ—not only those deemed glorious by worldly standards but even those considered insignificant, for the righteous and impartial God rewards each according to their spiritual maturity. In this spiritual realm, some stand as fathers, while others remain as children and young adults.