THEOSISGregory the Great
Will God heed his plea in times of distress? Job 27:9. 15. When he cries out in his hour of need, God may not respond, for in moments of peace, he disregarded the Lord's call to heed His commandments. It is written, "Whosoever turns away his ear from hearing the law, to him also prayer is an abomination." Proverbs 28:9. Thus, the righteous man observes that those who fail to shine their light through their deeds will only begin to plead for mercy when affliction strikes, questioning, "Will God hear his cry?" His words echo the sentiments of our Savior, who remarked, "Last of all come the foolish virgins, and say, 'Lord! Lord! Open unto us.' And this is their answer, 'Verily I say unto you, I know you not.'" Matthew 25:11-12.
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Greater tribulations await those who remain unrepentant, for while mercy is extended now, a harsher judgment will come later. The more one persists in their sin without repentance, the more severe the judgment they will face, despite the forbearance shown in the present. The Prophet advised, "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6. He is not presently visible, but He is ‘near’; a time will come when He will be evident, and not merely close. He who diligently seeks Him will find Him before the judgment, but once judgment is pronounced, His visibility will be immediate, and He will not be sought further at that time.
Solomon illustrates wisdom as both gracious and stringent, proclaiming, "Wisdom shouts in the street; in the squares she raises her voice; in the chief places of assembly she preaches; at the entrances of the gates of the city she speaks her message: How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? How long will scorners delight in their scorning? How long will fools hate knowledge? Turn at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you." Proverbs 1:20-28. We have noted how its sweetness is expressed; now let us consider the manner in which the severity of its consequences is articulated, revealing that punishment will ultimately emerge: "I called, and ye would not listen; I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention; ye rejected all my counsel, and despised my reproofs." She then declares how she will respond to those who persistently avoid her: "I too will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes, when sudden terror falls upon you, and calamity like a whirlwind sweeps over you, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call for me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me." Through the wise words of Solomon, the principles regarding divine judgment are clearly laid out: first, wisdom appeals gently, then reproves sharply, and ultimately issues an irrevocable judgment.
It is profoundly stated, therefore, "Shall God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him?" Certainly not, for the hypocrite finds no relief in their tears, which they have the chance to shed now, but will be deprived of later. Regarding iniquity, it is further emphasized: