THEOSISGregory the Great
The offspring of the traders did not tread upon it, nor did the lioness pass through it. Job 28:8. In all the Latin texts, the term “Institutores” is utilized in this verse, whereas in the Greek manuscripts, we find the word "negotiatores" repeated numerous times. In Latin, we refer to merchants as "institores" because they engage in intermediary transactions. However, despite the difference in terminology, both phrases convey a similar meaning. Those who impart the works of believers metaphorically walk in the footsteps of merchants and traders, as they must receive faith and good works from those to whom they preach.
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Concerning the Holy Church, it is written, "She maketh a covering and selleth it." Furthermore, it is also mentioned a bit later, "She feels that her trade is good" (Proverbs 31:24). Those referred to as "founding merchants" can be interpreted as the holy prophets, who instructed the congregations in the ways of faith through their prophecies. Their "sons" undoubtedly represent the holy Apostles, about whom the Psalmist states, "Instead of thy fathers, children are born unto thee, whom thou shalt teach to reign over all the earth" (Psalm 44:17). However, because the Apostles were expelled from the synagogue, it is noted that "the children of merchants did not trample upon it." The "children of merchants" would have indeed trampled it had the holy preachers compromised their righteousness due to the evils of the synagogue. Yet if we understand these "merchants" to refer to the preachers of the Holy Church, then we can identify the "children of merchants" as pastors and teachers who followed in the Apostles' path. They did not "trample upon" the synagogue, as they ceased to call upon it after the expulsion of their forebears, the Apostles.
Additionally, "the lioness passed not by" the same synagogue because the Holy Church aims to gather the Gentiles and no longer directs its focus toward the people of Judea. Here, the Church is metaphorically termed the "lioness," given that she addresses those steeped in sinful habits through the power of holy preaching. This is illustrated in the first command to the Shepherd: "Stab and eat" (Acts 10:13). The one who is "stabbed" in this context is pierced for life, while that which is consumed is transformed within the body of the eater. Therefore, the command "stab and eat" signifies the need to combat the sinfulness residing in individuals and to renew them into part of the body of Christ. Since this Church embodies the Lord, the Lord is referred to by James as "the lion" in relation to Himself, and "the lioness" concerning the body of the Church, in the statement, "Judah, with the spoil, my son, rise up. He bowed down, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness: who shall lift him up?" (Genesis 49:9). Notably, it is remarked that the lioness did not simply "go through" Judah; rather, it is stated specifically that she "did not go through" entirely. Initially, the Apostles preached to three thousand, later to five thousand, and many believed. Thus, the Church “passed through” on her journey towards the synagogue but “did not pass through it to the end” as only a few were converted, while a great many remained in a deeper state of deadly delusion. This recalls our previous discussions regarding the disbelief of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles. The same lioness is further elaborated upon.