THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The process of separating the wheat from the chaff shall come to an end, and the act of planting will cease, while no harvest will be gathered for anyone. Take heart, you who have faith; be humbled and exposed, fasten your garments of mourning and pray with sincerity, for we long for the fruitful growth and the flourishing of the vine. In the land among my people, thorns and thistles will emerge, yet joy will still echo within all households; the hail will bring abundance, while the homes of those who remain will be filled with the echoes of prosperity, and the houses of greed will be abandoned. The foundations of the caves shall stand forever, filled with the joy of the shepherds.
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These words illustrate that the Israelites will indeed face consequences for their actions; instead, they will become the source of their own shame and sorrow due to their refusal to embrace Christ’s message. Throughout Judea, the cities were laid to waste by the Romans, resulting in devastation devoid of its citizens; the finest regions were ravaged, and those with barely enough strength to escape were scattered, leading to the loss of homes and treasures. Once vibrant towns transformed into habitats for wild animals.
However, for those who seek deeper spiritual truths in these expressions, there is meaning to be grasped. The gathering of grapes and the act of sowing symbolize a state of spiritual abundance and acceptability before God, not as sources of thorns that yield sin in abundance, but rather as a land blessed by God, rich in fertility. The unfortunate Jews found themselves stripped of such spiritual abundance, their once-productive vineyard now overtaken by thorns. As He has said, He looked for bountiful harvests but found only thorns (Isaiah 5:4). The prophet also proclaims regarding Israel, that everything will be swept away by the wind, and whatever is without power shall be their destruction (Hosea 8:7). Thus, says the vineyard, you will no longer hold the title of vineyard, as you are devoid of ripe fruit.
As the act of sowing comes to a halt, you will not be recognized as good soil that produces blessings, nor as a nurturer of the garden’s fruits. Therefore, be astonished and take heed. Be compassionate towards those who had faith; they were once wise in the counsel of God, but when they behold their hearts lacking all goodness, then will they take pity on themselves, feel unsurpassed grief, and mourn for the regretted land and the unyielding grapes.
The lamentation stems from the utter destruction and loss of that desired field, that wondrous vineyard—an allusion to Israel. He also describes it differently, stating that thorns and thistles will flourish in my people’s land. Israel lay in desolation; the Lord abandoned His vineyard and instructed the heavens to withhold their rain. It became a delight only to the wild donkeys and the flock of deceitful herds, symbolizing unclean spirits.
Likewise, the blessed David refers to Israel in the metaphor of a vineyard, addressing God, the Savior, 'You brought forth grapes from Egypt; you cast out the nations and planted them' (Psalm 79:9). He continues, questioning, 'Why have you cast down his defenses and allowed all to pass by unharmed?' Wild beasts and the solitary savage shall emerge (Isaiah 32:13, 14). Just as landowners disregard their neglected fields, our God, who cherishes virtue, forsakes the soul and withdraws His grace if it fails to produce the fruits of righteousness.