THEOSISJerome of Stridon
Thus says the Lord, Go down to the house of the king of Judah and deliver this message, saying, Hear the word of the Lord, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David, you and your servants and your people who enter through this gate. Thus says the Lord, administer justice and righteousness, and rescue the oppressed from the grasp of the accuser, and do not mistreat the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow, nor act unjustly, and do not spill innocent blood for unjust vengeance. For if you heed this message, then the descendants of David will enter through the gates of this house, sitting on his throne and riding in chariots and on horses, along with their servants and people.
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But if you refuse to listen to these words, I have sworn, declares the Lord, that this house will become a desolate place. This revelation from the Lord came to the prophet either before Zedekiah sent his envoys or after he instructed them what to communicate to the king, and Jeremiah is commanded to approach the palace directly rather than through the envoys. Concurrently, we observe divine wisdom: when addressing the ambassadors, the prophet is to convey the grave news, along with a promise of hope if the king repents; however, now that he is to go to the palace personally, he refrains from speaking of impending judgment and instead advises the king on how to avoid divine wrath. It is the role of kings to execute justice and truth, to liberate the oppressed from the hands of slanderers, and to provide care for the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow, who are most vulnerable to exploitation by the powerful. To instill greater diligence in observing God’s commandments, it is added, Do not afflict them; not only should you refrain from taking from them, but do not allow them to suffer injustice from others due to your negligence. And do not shed innocent blood in this place. Executing justice against murderers, robbers, and poisoners is not the shedding of blood, but rather the enforcement of laws. If, he says, you carry out these commands, O kings of Judah, you will maintain your power and enter the gates of Jerusalem in glory. However, if you fail to do this, O royal house, the situation rests not merely on the Lord's severity but rather on your choices that could lead to the entire city becoming desolate. All that is directed towards the royal household should also resonate with bishops, fellow presbyters, deacons, and all members of the Church, for if they fulfill their duties and avoid shedding innocent blood, leading the least astray, and burdening the conscience of others, they will retain the ministry entrusted to them by the Lord. Conversely, if they neglect their responsibilities, they risk turning the Church of God into a wasteland. Those who descend from the line of David will pass through Jerusalem's gates and sit upon its throne, a name signifying strength, riding in chariots and on horses once they have mastered their own desires and those of the people, walking in the way ordained within the Church, united with a multitude of virtues. To affirm the truth of this promise, He swears by Himself, for as the Apostle notes, He has no greater authority by which to swear.