For those who fled, it was previously declared, ‘Rise and sail to Cethim; there also you shall find no rest.’ As for those who remained and were taken captive, he says, Look at the inhabitants of the land of the Chaldeans, whose power no nation had previously surpassed, which was built by Assyria, has conquered the strong of Tyre. They did not only demolish the walls but also razed all the buildings within, leaving it in ruins. Thus, as some have escaped and others are in captivity, let the ships of the sea mourn, including those from Carthage, for your trade and colony have been destroyed. Consider also how he extolled the Chaldeans. He did not proclaim that such a nation shall exist no more because the Roman empire is more robust and secure, but he noted: there was none before, implying a denial concerning what once was while allowing for what shall come.
If you journey to Cethim, you shall find no rest there; and if you venture to the land of the Chaldeans, it too lies ravaged by the Assyrians. Siyim established it, fortified its defenses, and raised its tower; its walls have collapsed. The phrases that Siyim founded it, set up its fortifications, and built its tower are drawn from Theodotion's version, while the statement that its wall collapsed is included without any annotations; Ketim means an accomplished blow; in this context, Chaldean is akin to a sucker, while Assyrian suggests denouncement. The origin of the term Siyim remains obscure, and other translators have simply used the Hebrew term itself. Therefore, Tyre is informed that even if it sought refuge in Cethim to evade punishment for its tribulations, it would not discover complete peace there. Likewise, if it aspired to travel to the Chaldeans to partake in their abundance and wealth, it would find them exposed to desolation, as the Assyrians would proclaim their barrenness, which reflects the Apostle’s actions of delivering sinners to Satan to prevent blasphemy, those who have been surrendered to the destruction of the flesh so that their spirit might be saved. For the Chaldeans laid the foundations of what I regard as the most wicked demons, who constructed towering fortifications in the city of Chaldea against the divine guidance; yet all their structures have fallen into decay, for it follows: its wall collapsed. For unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor labor in vain (Psalm 120:1).
We often observe people shifting from one endeavor to another in the world; for instance, those who faltered in military service may turn to trade, or lawyers may adopt the careers of soldiers. They alter their pursuits to escape failure; yet according to God’s design, for those whom He blesses with salvation, all their endeavors lead them to the contrary, compelling them through poverty and hardship to rely not on their own strength but on their Creator. Let the ships of Carthage mourn, for your stronghold has perished. The vessels of Carthage, synonymous with Pharsis, are beckoned to lament, not because they are lost and will not return, as previously stated, but because their stronghold has been devastated. In our language, Pharsis can denote the conclusion of six or joy. It is recorded that in six days the world was created, which, according to church teaching, will eventually perish. Hence, all the wealth of this world and all human efforts are likened to the unreliable navigation of ships—the reality that they will quickly be destroyed, and the entire fortress of the seafarers will fall. This is why Solomon also said: the wise man enters into strong cities and overthrows their foundations (Proverbs 21:22). For all that is constructed through the schemes of heretics, worldly wisdom, and corrupt teachings, the faithful man dismantles and reveals that all these must be brought low beneath his feet.
THEOSIS