They that were sometime my counsellors, have abhorred me: and he whom I loved most is turned against me.
תִּֽ֭עֲבוּנִי כָּל־מְתֵ֣י סוֹדִ֑י וְזֶֽה־אָ֝הַ֗בְתִּי נֶהְפְּכוּ־בִֽי׃
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The people who once engaged with me started to keep their distance, and former friends turned into adversaries. My peers, witnessing my plight and my need for solace, began to shun me as if I were cast off. Those who relied on my support, as well as those whom I had shown kindness, began to treat me harshly. In reflection of this, David similarly expresses: "And they repaid me evil for good, and hatred for my love" (Psalm 108:5).
Those who once provided me guidance have come to detest me, and those I cherished most have distanced themselves from me (Job 19:19). It is clear to all that God has no need for advisors, for He is Himself the ultimate teacher of wisdom. The Scripture states: "Who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been His counselor?" (Isaiah 40:13). Yet, just as bread or clothing is given to those who lack them, the Lord declares that He has indeed received counselors. This implies that when righteous counsel is offered to someone unaware of it, He also listens to that advice, for He is one with that person. All believers are part of the body of our Redeemer; just as He nourishes us with His abundance, He also guides us through counsel and instruction.
Therefore, the scribes and teachers of the Law, who were supposed to guide others in matters of life, can rightly be seen as ‘counselors of the Redeemer’ who was to come. However, when they encountered the Incarnate Lord, they led many away from faith in Him through their teachings, despite having previously encouraged belief in the mystery of His Incarnation through the words of the prophets. Additionally, since with God, the one who loves most is the one who expresses greater love, it is stated about these same teachers of the Law and Pharisees: "whom I especially loved, they turned away from me." It was their disbelief that prompted them to reject the truth, leading those who were once diligent in their ministry and much beloved to turn against Him. They not only rejected God but also persecuted Him, misleading the people and inciting such cruelty that they contributed to His Passion, which in turn brought suffering upon the hearts of His disciples. Hence, it is rightly concluded:
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS