As the prophet declares, Unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers build in vain (Psalm 126:1). Solomon also asserts, Consider the work of God; who can rectify that from which He has turned away? (Eccl. 7:13). It is not surprising that a preacher struggles to reach the forsaken soul, especially when the Lord Himself has departed from them; the words spoken will be even more disregarded by those who have spurned Him. Take Cain, for example; even though God exhorted him directly, he remained unchanged because God's presence had already departed from his wicked heart, although he continued to hear divine words that served as a testimony against him.
Likewise, if He confines a person, no one can release them, for each individual, through their own wrongdoing, constructs a prison of guilt within their conscience. This self-imposed confinement weighs heavily on their soul, even in the absence of external accusations. When faced with divine judgment, if one remains blinded by a wicked heart, they are enclosed within themselves, unable to escape a fate they do not merit. Often, those who seek to abandon their vices find themselves gravitating back, ensnared by the chains of bad habits. Others may grow weary of their transgressions and become even worse offenders, believing they are acting rightly. This misconception leads them further into captivity. For instance, Judas, consumed by malice for his sin, ultimately inflicted death upon himself, leading to the punishment of eternal separation from God, with his sins compounding in severity.
Thus, it must be asserted, if He confines a person, no one can liberate them. Just as no individual can thrive in His favor apart from His presence, no one can endure His justice in their abandonment. When God shuts someone up, no escape exists. This is illustrated in His words to Moses regarding Pharaoh: I will harden his heart (Ex. 7:3). God 'hardens the heart' as an aspect of justice, choosing not to soften the heart of the ignorant by granting them grace. Therefore, He 'shuts up' those left in the shadow of their own deeds. Isaac attempted to reverse this 'shutting up' for one of his sons by seeking to elevate him above his brother through a blessing. Yet the son favored by the father was rejected by the Lord, while the one chosen by God was blessed despite Isaac’s preferences. Thus, Esau, who traded his birthright for mere sustenance, was not allowed to inherit the first-born blessing that he had scorned due to his indulgence and pursuit of worldly matters. Though he sought repentance with tears, he found no pathway back (Hebrews 12:17), as tears born from regrets over what is destined for loss yield no spiritual fruit. Consequently, Isaac was unable to discern even his son, whom the Almighty had justly confined in the depths of an evil heart.
THEOSIS