THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The Lord declared, Go to the palace of the king of Judah and deliver this message, saying, Listen to the word of the Lord, O king of Judah, who is seated on the throne of David, along with your officials and your people who enter through this gate. The Lord commands you to practice justice and righteousness; free the oppressed from the hands of their accusers, do not mistreat the foreigner, the orphan, or the widow, and do not act unjustly or shed innocent blood for the sake of vengeance. If you heed this instruction, then kings from the lineage of David will enter through the gates of this house, sitting on his throne, riding in chariots and on horses, along with their attendants and people.
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However, if you refuse to listen to these words, I swear, declares the Lord, that this house will become a desolation.
This message from the Lord came to the prophet either before the ambassadors of Zedekiah approached him or after he had informed them of what they should tell the king. Jeremiah was instructed not to speak to the king through the ambassadors but to go directly to the palace to convey the message himself. It is notable that while speaking to the ambassadors, he is directed to disclose both the serious impending consequences and the possibility of mercy if the king repents. Yet, when commanded to approach the palace directly, he does not announce the dire news but instead offers counsels on how the king might avert God’s judgment.
It is the duty of kings to promote justice and truth, to rescue the oppressed from the hands of their accusers, and to assist those most vulnerable—the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow. To impress upon them the importance of obeying God’s commands, the Lord emphasizes, Do not mistreat them—ensure they are not harmed by others through your negligence. Additionally, do not unjustly take innocent life in this place. The execution of justice against criminals is not considered the shedding of blood but is rather an enforcement of the law. If, he states, you, kings of Judah, act accordingly, you will preserve your authority and enter Jerusalem’s gates in triumph. Conversely, if you disregard this, O royal household, it is more a matter of your choices than of the Lord’s severity that will result in the city's transformation into a wasteland.
Let this message to the royal family resonate with bishops, their fellow presbyters, deacons, and all within the Church: if they fulfill their obligations, as noted in Luke 17:10, and refrain from unjustly harming the innocent—leading astray even the least, as stated in Matthew 18:6—and damaging the conscience of others (1 Corinthians 8:12), they will maintain the ministry entrusted to them by the Lord. However, should they choose to neglect their duties, they themselves will turn the Church of God into a desolate place. Those of David’s lineage who enter through Jerusalem’s gates and sit upon its throne—which signifies strength—will ride in chariots and on horses when they have mastered both their own desires and the passions of the people, walking in the path laid out in the Church, united with the many virtues. To confirm this truth, He swears by Himself, for, as stated by the Apostle, He has no greater authority by which He can take an oath.