Let the Jews and those who only recognize historical events, who desire not the fruit of the tree but merely the leaves and shadow of the words, which soon fade and vanish, respond: How is it that at the coming of the Savior, the majestic mountain of Lebanon transformed into Mount Carmel, known as Chermel in Hebrew? This mountain lies on the edge of Palestine and Phoenician Ptolemais. Although another Mount Carmel is mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, where Nabal of Carmel resided, a foolish and lawless man, who had Abigail as his wife, later to marry David after Nabal's death, for during Nabal's life, marrying David would have branded her an adulteress. How can it be that Carmel is termed a forest with barren trees? If they cannot answer this, let them understand that Lebanon signifies the Gentile nations, who, washed by the Lord, have been cleansed from their former impurities and elevated, are established in the Church through the Savior. Of this Savior, it is said in the Song of Songs, "Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?" This people also experiences conversion to Carmel, that is to the understanding of spiritual and true circumcision, taking the place of the Jewish people; while those who reject Christ will be seen as wood and barren trees, unable to join the fruitful trees in praising the Lord. When Lebanon becomes Carmel and Carmel becomes a forest, those who were previously deaf and could not hear the words of the prophetic scroll will then listen and respond. The Savior will say to them: "Ephphatha," which means "be opened."
In the translation we have, "out of darkness and gloom the eyes of the blind shall see," is made clearer by Aquila, Theodotion, and Symmachus, who rendered it as "darkness and gloom shall the eyes of the blind see,” indicating that the mysteries of Christ will be unveiled to the Gentiles, who were once blind, as reflected in the statement: "Dark is the water in the clouds of the air." In the same psalm, it is expressed regarding God, "Thou hast set darkness for thy covering." Proverbs states, "A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles.” Ultimately, Moses, seeking to comprehend and witness God, ventured into the cloud and darkness, of which it is said, "The darkness was under His feet." When those who were blind formerly can either perceive all the mysteries or lift their eyes from darkness and gloom to behold, and the true light shines upon those sitting in darkness and death’s shadow, then the meek, of whom it is recorded, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," or the poor, the foremost of whom declares, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him," and "He saves the humble of the earth," will be filled with joy in the Lord, wherefore the boastful will boast in the Lord. Those who are humble or scorned by others, previously ignorant of the law, will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel, who proclaims, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
The cause of this jubilation is the absence of the one who was overcome, the mocker, the arrogant and haughty who proclaimed, "By strength and wisdom, I will achieve, I will break the bounds of nations and shatter their power," who derided all, such that the Holy One lamented, "My garments are filled with contempt." All who concern themselves with unrighteousness will be cut off or obliterated due to evil oversight, leading humanity into sin through blasphemous words, rejecting the Word of God and speaking against heaven. The devils, being themselves undesirable, instigated sin through their blasphemous teachings, attempting to create a stumbling block for those who rebuke at the gates and in courts, and turning away from the truth of Him who stood at the gates of Zion’s daughter. What is attributed to the devil and his angels, the followers of Jesus perceive as a reference against the scribes and Pharisees, indicating that there are no longer interpreters of traditions who once mocked the people with their wicked customs, monitoring day and night for the sake of the unwise, causing men to sin regarding the Word of God, so they might deny Christ, the Son of God.
THEOSIS