THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
They who have outgrown the milk, who are no longer dependent on the breast. Grief for grief, hope for hope, albeit in small measure, much like the narrowness of the mouth, with a different tongue. Our earlier discussion centered on interpreting the query: To whom shall we declare calamity, and to whom shall we announce good news? In elucidating these words, we suggested that the countenance of the holy prophets is presented, seemingly rebuking the children of Israel for having heeded their words without deriving any benefit, remaining unchanged despite the dire messages and words of comfort they received. By the term calamity, we refer to the punishments destined for those who persist in sin, while the tidings convey honors wrapped in a hopeful promise.
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Thus, when nothing proved effective for the descendants of Israel, even as the prophets conveyed God's messages—both warnings and blessings for the future—then it is asked, to whom shall we declare calamity, and to whom shall we share the good news? When the holy prophets seemed momentarily silent and ceased their oratory, God Himself, the Creator of all, aligned His message with that of His saints, proclaiming, "Those who are weaned from milk, and those cut off from the breast. Expect grief for grief, hope for hope." He notes that those who neglect warnings and demonstrate severe disobedience are rightfully dismissed, and devoid of salvation in Christ, they face ruin. Yet you, who through faith have been summoned to the realization of truth, as if drawn from a nurturing source, who have transitioned from childish tutelage through the aid of the law, once consuming infantile fare with an unenlightened understanding, now mature, reaching the measure of Christ’s maturity, shall partake of the sustenance meant for the perfect and retain the knowledge of the truth. Prepare your hearts to embrace the new proclamation of the gospel life, aligned with Christ's teachings, and should trials frequently arise, and should temptations besiege you in succession, enduring these challenges for a time will lead you to a hope that transcends human comprehension. For, as it is written, "the eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Moreover, he provides insight into the first tribulation that awaits them. The meaning of the prophecy is thus: In the Book of Acts, it is noted that on the day of Pentecost, all were united together and there came a sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind (Acts 2:1, 2), and flames appeared, dividing and resting on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:3, 4). Christ instructed them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father until they received power from on high (Acts 1:4). They then descended to address the Israelites and individuals from various nations in the languages granted by God, leaving their audience astonished, asking, "Are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?" Some observed, claiming they were filled with new wine (Acts 2:7; Acts 8:13), essentially accusing them of intoxication. This, I believe, aligns with the notion of "the thinness of their mouths, and another tongue." They spoke in tongues, an act possible through God's will, as foretold: "With other tongues, and through different lips, I will speak to this people, and yet, they will not listen to me" (1 Corinthians 14:21; Isaiah 28:11-12, LXX). Though they comprehended the divine prophecy regarding this occurrence, they rejected the sign with doubt, responding to their intoxication accusations with disobedience.
How could they communicate to these men, asserting, "This is rest for the greedy, and this is their ruin," yet they would not listen? Expressing displeasure at the folly of the Jews, God proclaimed: "I will send a famine across the land, not a famine of bread or thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord" (Amos 8:11). A spiritual famine descended upon the Israelites; unwilling to embrace by faith the bread of life that comes from heaven and sustains the world, they were rightly deprived of divine sustenance, for it is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). They committed a grave offense against the Savior and Redeemer of all; yet, in His goodness, He called the exceedingly wicked (Israel) to repentance through the holy apostles. Thus, the blessed Peter proclaimed that they had denied the Holy and Righteous One and had put to death the Author of life while asking for a murder in return (Acts 3:14, 15). He added: "And now, brothers, I realize that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did. Repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away" (Acts 3:17, 19). Therefore, those who have matured beyond milk and the breast, called to the apostleship and now serving in the new ministry, will converse with these people, clearly delineating what rest awaits the greedy and what leads to destruction. Yet they did not heed them. One of the saints, filled with righteous outrage, summed it up, saying, "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51). Consider how, despite their ungodliness, they had the appointed leaders of the holy apostles guiding them toward repentance and imparting knowledge beneficial to them; however, they remained arrogant and utterly insensitive, inexorably drawn to obstinacy and rebelliousness.