THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The Lord declares, Go to the house of the king of Judah and declare this message: Listen to the word of the Lord, O king of Judah, who sits on David’s throne, you, your officials, and your people entering through this gate. The Lord commands you to uphold justice and righteousness, to rescue the oppressed from their oppressors, and to treat strangers, orphans, and widows with kindness, refraining from any unjust oppression or shedding of innocent blood for revenge. If you heed these words, the descendants of David will enter through the gates of this house, seated on his throne, arriving in chariots and on horses, along with their officials and people. However, if you refuse to listen to this message, I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, that this house will become a desolation.
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This message from the Lord came to the prophet either prior to Zedekiah’s envoys reaching him or after he had instructed them on what to communicate to the king. Jeremiah was commanded not to speak through the envoys but to go directly to the palace and convey the message himself. It is noteworthy that in the presence of the envoys, he conveys both the grave warning and the hope of favor if the king repents; but in this instance, as he is sent to the palace, he does not mention the looming destruction but instead advises the king on actions to avert the divine judgment.
It is the duty of kings to uphold justice and truth, to forcefully rescue the oppressed from their accusers, and to extend help to the powerless—such as strangers, orphans, and widows—who are often the most vulnerable to oppression. To encourage a greater sense of responsibility towards God’s commandments, he further instructs, Do not oppress them; not only should you refrain from taking anything from them, but do not allow them to suffer at the hands of others due to your negligence. Do not spill innocent blood in this place. Executions carried out according to the law are not the same as shedding innocent blood; they are a matter of upholding justice. If you do this, O kings of Judah, you will preserve your authority and enter the gates of Jerusalem in glory. But if you choose not to act, O royal household, the destiny of your city rests not solely on the Lord’s judgment, but on your own choices leading to its desolation.
What is spoken to the royal household should resonate with bishops, presbyters, deacons, and the entire church community: if they fulfill their duties as commanded (Luke 17:10), refrain from shedding innocent blood, and avoid leading astray the least among them (Matthew 18:6), thereby not harming the conscience of others (1 Corinthians 8:12), they will maintain the ministry entrusted to them by the Lord. Conversely, should they neglect their responsibilities, they risk turning the Church of God into a wasteland. Those from David’s lineage who enter through Jerusalem’s gates, taking their seat on its throne—which signifies strength—will take up chariots and horses only after mastering both their own desires and those of the people, walking in accordance with the path laid out by the Church, united in a chorus of virtues. To affirm the truth of this promise, the Lord swears by Himself, as there is no greater authority by which He may swear (Hebrews 6).