He extended His hand over the sea, causing kingdoms to be thrown into turmoil. Who is it that extends His hand? From the very context of the message, it is certainly God, of whom it is stated, "The Lord of Hosts has decreed this to humble all that is glorious." Consequently, He extended His hand over all the seas, signifying all people and nations, and brought confusion to all nations, including you, Tyre, who is likewise thrown into disarray, or concerning the sea upon which you lie. The Lord declared a command against Canaan to crush its stronghold. This indicates the sea upon which the Lord extended His hand, for He commanded against Canaan. Tyre is situated in the land of Canaan. Consult the Scriptures, particularly the Gospel of Mark (7), where the Syrophoenician woman, referred to as a woman of Canaan, emerges from that land seeking healing for her daughter. However, since it was mentioned, “He extended His hand,” it is important to understand that the Lord does not act through physical means, as He added, “He commanded,” revealing that for God, to act is simply to command.
Tend to your fields, for ships no longer arrive from Carthage, and the hand that once called kings from the sea is powerless now. The Septuagint varies significantly from other translations and the original Hebrew here; let us continue. Previously, it was said, "Go to Carthage, cry out to those who dwell on the island." Now that no more ships are arriving from Carthage, the charge is to cultivate your land. Tyre needed to lose the foreign vessels that once brought wealth, prompting it to turn to its own land. As Proverbs teaches, "He who cultivates his own land shall be filled with bread," intending that life be sustained not by the uncertain dangers of waves and shipwrecks, but by the fruits of one's labor, of which the Psalms proclaim, "You shall eat the fruit of your labors" (Psalms 127:2). Hosea notes that the paths of the harlot are surrounded by thorns, ordained by the Lord that she might not pursue her lovers, lest, compelled by need, she returns to her first husband. We observe often in worldly matters that many who were oblivious to the Lord due to their prosperity eventually recognize Him through hardship and turn towards righteous endeavors, particularly when their hands are no longer able to enjoy the transient pleasures of this life, the hands which once dominated kings on the sea, or in Symmachus’ terms, troubled kings, whose hearts rest in the Lord’s hands. If only we too had forsaken the commerce of the sea and devoted ourselves to cultivating the land, awaiting not the vessels of Carthage nor those of Tyre that sailed to Carthage, so as not to be subjected to the power of the serpent that rules over the sea! If only we would firmly place our feet upon the earth, or better yet, aspire toward heavenly pursuits, sowing in this life so that we might reap in the next! May our hands, previously entangled in worldly affairs and empowered to even sway kings, become weak in matters of the sea, thus enabling strength in the cultivation of our land!
THEOSIS