Rejoice, O heavens, and let the earth be glad; break forth into joyful shouts, O mountains: for the Lord has comforted His people, and has shown mercy to the lowly. The apostle Paul referenced this in his second letter to the Corinthians, stating, "For He says, ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time" (2 Cor. 6:2). Thus, if the chosen vessel links what is spoken here to Christ's first coming, we shall follow in the footsteps of this interpretation, like obedient children learning from their teacher. The time is favorable and the day of salvation corresponds to the suffering and resurrection of the Savior, who cried on the cross, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matt. 27:46). He preserved or established it when death was defeated and offered it as a covenant for the people of Israel, specifically to those who would believe; to redeem the land lost to idolatry and reclaim forsaken inheritances, which lacked the presence of God; and to proclaim to those in bondage, "Come out"—those bound by the shackles of sin, for the captivity of transgressions ensnares each person (Prov. 5:22); and to those enveloped in darkness: "Reveal yourselves." They dwelled in the shadows of death, unable to perceive the light. But when they turn to behold the clear illumination of Christ, they shall find sustenance along the paths of Scripture, proclaiming: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; even in a place of danger, You lead me beside still waters" (Ps. 22:1). Those who are shepherded and nurtured along such paths will know neither hunger nor thirst nor the scorching sun; for it is written concerning them: "The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night" (Ps. 121:6), thus freeing them from the burdens of this world. For the merciful and gracious Lord Himself will comfort and guide them, leading them to the springs of living water, as it is written: "Bless the Lord from the fountain of Israel" (Ps. 67:27). Additionally, "You will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isa. 12:3). Such springs are found throughout both the Old and New Testaments. All obstacles that may impede the journey of the faithful, the Lord will remove, leveling the highs and raising the lows, so that the path may be smooth and accessible. And who are those for whom this way is prepared? The Lord clarifies: "Behold, some will come from afar, some from the north and the sea, others from the land of the south." In mentioning these four corners of the earth—east, north, west, and south—He has symbolized the notion of distance by saying “from afar,” while referring to the southern territory, as the Hebrew indicates sinim, which the Seventy has translated as Persians. Others have interpreted sinim as referring to Mount Sinai, situated in the southern region, echoing the prophet Habakkuk: "God comes from the south, and the Holy One from Mount Paran" (Hab. 3:3). If we interpret the reference to the east as the Persians, then the proclamation that some shall come from afar aligns with the south. It is commanded that both heaven and earth, alongside the celestial beings and humanity, should lift their voices in praise to God. Those who achieve the pinnacle of virtue should joyfully express the exultation that fills their souls. For the Lord has consoled His people, particularly the Jews who are willing to believe, and shown compassion for the humble and lowly—those called to Him from every direction—having been devoid of law, prophets, or spiritual wealth, yet having been forsaken, impoverished, and humbled under the dominion of all darkness.
THEOSIS