THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Wherefore, just as one who strikes will also be struck, so shall he face death? When he tormented me and insulted me, he would release me, questioning, "Were you not the one who harbored a cruel intention to kill me?" The idea reflected in these words closely connects with the earlier points made; allow us to illustrate the nature of this connection as clearly as possible. We have indicated that the descendants of Jacob will wither and also thrive, bringing forth an abundance in the world.
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Yet, it seems as if someone raises a challenge, claiming, "But Israel has committed immense wickedness, has been obstinate and rebellious, has shed the blood of the saints, has attacked every righteous individual and prophet, with hands stained in blood; how can it possibly thrive again, and how can the world be filled with its fruit, as if nothing had unseated it?" In response, the prophet asks, "Is it as one who is struck, and will he himself remain unscathed? And as he himself is slain, will he then be slain in return?” The passage states that he acted with unwavering ferocity against the saints, killing them without restraint, as if he had no compassion for them. Will the source of mercy exhibit the same cruelty towards them, subjecting them to the same penalties, and destroy them in the same manner as they have exterminated the saints? Rather, as God, He will ultimately prevail over them and will not completely annihilate those once beloved and chosen for the sake of the patriarchs. This was also revealed by God through one of the holy prophets: "What will I do for you, O Ephraim? How can I protect you, O Israel? What can I do for you? I will act towards you as I did for Adam and Seboim; my heart is turned within me, my compassion is stirred. I will not carry out the full force of my anger, nor abandon Ephraim to destruction: for I am God and not man; in me, you are holy” (Hos. 11:8, 9). He who is God, unlike man, must indeed have the foremost place in mercy; and as He is inherently exalted above every person born, it is fitting for Him to hold preeminence over all humans. Therefore, according to what has been stated previously, Israel will flourish, filling the world with its produce. He shall not be slain in the exact manner as he himself has slain, nor shall he suffer the same fate, although driven by fierce rage, he struck down the saints. What then is the measure of indignation directed towards them? Boiling and reproachful will let me go. The phrase "will let them go" signifies the removal of their fellowship with Him. This is what the Savior did, as He cut off Israel's communion with Himself. “Boiling” serves here as a substitute for “rebuking.” For while reproving and admonishing the Jews, the Savior lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Behold, your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:37, 38). These words indicated that His separation from them might not endure indefinitely. As a result of this, Israel fell, though their remnant was preserved, as Isaiah notes: "And if the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved” (Isaiah 10:22).