Who instructs a hypocritical individual to govern due to the transgressions of the people? For Judah chose not to accept a genuine sovereign, leading her to receive a deceiver as her just desserts. As the embodiment of Truth proclaims in the Gospel, "I came in my Father's name, and ye receive me not; but if another comes in his own name, him ye receive" (Jn. 5:43). In the words of Paul, "They have not received the love of the truth for their salvation," which leads God to send them the work of error so that they may believe a falsehood (2 Thess. 2:10-11). Thus, when it is stated that a hypocrite rules because of the people's sins, the Antichrist may also be seen as the foremost deceiver among all hypocrites. He is a tempter who feigns to guide towards righteousness but ultimately leads soul to wickedness. He is allowed to reign over the people’s iniquities because they are, in truth, destined to come under such authority. Those who, regardless of age, merit being his subjects through their past and continued sins invite this judgment upon themselves. The Antichrist, who governs the unrighteous, arises not from the injustice of the Divine, but from the flaws of the sinful. Even if many do not perceive his supreme power, they remain in bondage to it due to the state their sins have rendered them. They honor him through their wicked behavior, unaware that he has dominion over them. Are they not part of his body, masquerading with a façade of piety while being what they are not? For he assumes a deceitful visage, and the wicked and the evil spirit deceitfully announce themselves as God (2 Thess. 2:4). Indeed, those who obscure their transgressions under the guise of virtue, striving for faith yet failing to embody it in their actions, are even now included in his dominion. As it is stated, "Every one that committeth sin is a slave of sin" (Jn. 8:34), and thus, as they indulge freely in their desired sins, they are more tightly ensnared by the very sins in which they find pleasure. Let those who suffer under such a ruler refrain from casting blame on him, for their own actions have placed them under the power of a wicked ruler through their own merit. They should scrutinize their deeds instead of lamenting the injustice of their ruler. It is written, "I will give thee kings in wrath" (Hos. 13:11). Why then do we complain about their authority over us, if we have received them in accordance with God's wrath? If rulers are given to us based on our own merits, it is evident that we must reflect on ourselves through the lens of their conduct. Even the elect often find themselves subject to those whom God has rejected. This is exemplified by David, who endured under Saul for a lengthy time. Yet his subsequent sin of adultery revealed that he too deserved the oppression inflicted by Saul's cruelty (2 Samuel 12:11). The nature of rulers is appointed in accordance with the merits of those they govern. Frequently, those who appear virtuous in the beginning are altered by the power they assume. This is illustrated in Saul, who changed character through pride. It is recorded, "When thou wast small in thine eyes, I made thee the head of the tribes of Israel" (1 Samuel 15:17). Rulers' behaviors are intimately linked to the virtues of their subjects, and even a truly good shepherd may find his conduct tainted by the wickedness of his flock. For the prophet David, whom God esteemed highly, succumbed to pride and therefore sinned amidst men. Nonetheless, although David sinned, the people bore the consequences (2 Samuel 24:1-17). Why is this so? Because the hearts of rulers are shaped by the merits of their people. The righteous Judge punishes sinners by chastising those who lead them into sin. Nevertheless, he is not absolved of guilt due to his voluntary surrender to pride, and he must face the consequences of his actions. The links between the merits of rulers and their subjects are so interwoven that often the faults of the shepherd exacerbate the failings of the flock, and likewise, the behaviors of the shepherd can be influenced by the virtues of the people.
However, as rulers possess their own Judge, subjects should exercise great caution not to make rash judgments regarding their rulers’ actions. The Lord Himself had significant cause to overturn the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves (Matthew 21:12). This act signifies that He judged men by the rulers, while also scrutinizing their actions in Himself. The apparent sins of subjects, which their rulers might overlook, are still left to divine judgment. All actions performed in faith represent a part of virtue, necessitating patience in all that comes from above. Yet, individuals may humbly propose changes for what they dislike. It is essential, however, to ensure that a fervent pursuit of justice does not devolve into arrogance; for if the pursuit of righteousness is untempered, humility—the very essence of what is right—may be lost when one begins to covet justice without prudence. Individuals may start to scorn their superiors, possibly finding fault in their actions. The minds of subjects ought to remain vigilant, guarding against pride by constantly recognizing their own frailty. Failing to honestly assess one's own strength can lead to a tendency to judge those placed in authority over them. Ironically, the more one neglects self-awareness, the clearer the faults of those being judged become. This negative dynamic often persists as subjects judge their rulers and rulers belittle their subjects, each side believing the other deficient in wisdom. Rulers frequently become less discerning in their actions due to pride clouding their judgment, while subjects, emboldened by the desire to seize power, commit the same missteps they once condemned in their leaders. Thus, it is vital that rulers guard against pride in their perceived wisdom while subjects refrain from hastily judging their leaders.
Even when rulers’ actions are subject to rightful critique, it remains the responsibility of subjects to show them respect, even amidst dissatisfaction. One must guard against the temptation to emulate those who ought to be honored, ensuring that they do not neglect to honor those from whom they could learn. This path marked by truth and humility must be upheld to such an extent that even when subjects are rightfully displeased by their rulers' practices, they do not cease to show respect for their positions. An apt illustration is found in Noah, who, while intoxicated and exposed, was nevertheless approached and respectfully covered by his sons without looking at his nakedness. Their act of concealing their father’s shame speaks to how good subjects, offended by their rulers' misconduct, choose to shield them from others’ view. They turn away to prevent contemplating the sin while honoring the office held by their rulers.
Some may, upon noticing their rulers' focus solely on worldly matters, question the wisdom of divine provision, suggesting that rulers are inappropriately positioned due to their worldly preoccupations. These individuals, lacking the necessary caution in avoiding criticism of their leaders, may extend their accusations toward the Creator. Through divine providence, what may be seen as right in modesty can appear wrong when pride takes precedence. Power in office cannot be wielded effectively without engagement in worldly endeavors; thus, in His magnificent mercy, God often assigns governance to those with hardened hearts, allowing the spiritually mindful to be liberated from worldly concerns. This arrangement permits a safer retreat from the vanities of life while enabling others to commit themselves more willingly to worldly trials.
As previously stated, the Merciful God loves some so tenderly that He goes to great lengths to free them from outward pursuits. Frequently, a father may assign labor to his servants while lessening the burden on his sons, leaving the sons unscathed while their servants toil amid filth. This divine arrangement is evocatively represented in the structure of the Tabernacle, as Moses, under God’s command, was instructed to create coverings of fine linen—scarlet and blue—to shield the Holy of Holies. Additionally, coverings of goats' hair and skins were made to protect against rain, wind, and dirt. The skins and goats' hair that enshroud the Tabernacle symbolize the unrefined souls who, through God’s secret judgment, are sometimes elevated within the Church. Unfazed by worldly disputes, they withstand tempests of temptation in this life. The whisson signifies the lives of holy individuals—gentle and radiant—preserved beneath the coverings to maintain their integrity. Just as the linen must shine, adorned in scarlet and blue loops, so too must the goats' hair endure the elements outside. Therefore, those matured in the faith within the Church should refrain from disparaging their rulers when they observe them engaged in worldly duties. These individuals safeguard the mysteries by enduring the challenges of the tangible world. For what would become of the linen if stained by rain, or how would the scarlet and blue retain their vibrance when tainted by road dust? Let the strong woolen texture be placed over the vison as protection from dust, safeguarding the brilliance of the blue and scarlet while leaving their beauty unstained. Those devoted solely to spiritual matters should adorn the sanctuary while those undeterred by worldly toil should guard it. Let not those who radiate spiritual grace within the Church grumble against their superiors who engage in secular labor. If righteousness is secured in the heart, why then cast blame upon the goats' hair providing cover?
Some may question why it is that rulers are burdened with worldly concerns purely for the benefit of their subjects, leading many in the Church to emulate them. It is damaging to witness concern for earthly matters perturbing pastors more than heavenly aspirations. However, it is not unjust, as previously noted, that rulers are appointed according to the merits of their subjects. Through our hidden, intentional sins, we unwittingly demand that our pastors exemplify poor behavior, thus guiding the missteps of those who stray from divine paths. As the prophet fervently stated, “Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bend Thou down their backs” (Psalms 68:24), suggesting that those responsible for directing human actions might be blinded to the light of truth, resulting in subjects burdened by sin and losing their sense of righteousness. History confirms this, as seen in Judea when our Redeemer arrived, and a multitude of Pharisees and priests opposed the True Light with their minds closed to His truth, causing the people, following their rulers, to wander in spiritual darkness.
THEOSIS