THEOSISJerome of Stridon
Consequently, convey this message to the people of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem: Thus declares the Lord, I am preparing calamity for you and devising plans against you. Let each individual turn from their sinful ways and improve their actions and pursuits. Yet they responded, We will remain resolute in our ways, for we will follow the inclinations of our hearts, each directed by the wickedness that lies within. Therefore, the Lord asks, Inquire among the nations, who has witnessed such a dreadful occurrence as what the virgin of Israel has done to the fullest extent?
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The Lord expands upon the parable communicated through both spoken word and visible signs, stating, I am ready to bring upon you distress, just as a potter shapes clay—difficult circumstances according to the utterance of Isaiah, I create peace and I create calamity (Isaiah 45:7)—not because they are inherently evil, but because they appear grievous to those who endure them. I have devised plans against you, intending to enact judgment based on your deeds. Transform your actions and amend your paths, that even retribution may be exchanged for blessings. In response, they insisted, Let us stand firm, either in our wickedness or, as Aquila interprets, we have lost hope, and as Symmachus conveys, we are fatigued—both attitudes provoke the Lord's displeasure, showing disregard for salvation and weariness of spirit toward His goodness. They proclaimed they would follow their own thoughts. Hence, devoid of divine grace, what sovereignty does free will hold when pursuing one's own thoughts and yielding to an impure heart is a grievous affront to God? Thus, He exhorts, Inquire among the nations and all the surrounding regions, who among idol worshipers has ever witnessed what the virgin of Israel has committed to such an extreme? She is called a virgin because she served a single God, as the prophet states: God reigns in Judah, His name is renowned in Israel (Psalm 75:2).