THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
I will restore to you the years that were lost due to the locusts, the consuming insects, and the devouring pests, by my mighty power that I have sent upon you. You will eat abundantly and be satisfied, and you will extol the name of the Lord your God who has performed wonders among you. In a historical context, this foresees a restoration that matches the devastation caused by the locusts, indicating a far greater provision of food than the previous lack. Spiritually, we can understand that during times when we were ravaged by Satan, as though consumed by destructive spirits akin to locusts and caterpillars, we were left depleted and vulnerable, stripped of all good, bereft of spiritual and moral strength, resembling those suffering from hunger, lacking in fruitfulness.
Read more (299 words)
However, when we are empowered by Christ with a boldness that comes from Him—who has enabled us to triumph over the world (John 16:33) and granted us authority over serpents and scorpions (Luke 10:19)—we experience the spiritual rains of both early and latter blessings, that is, the teachings of the Law and the doctrines of the Gospel. Tasting this nourishment, we are filled and we glorify Christ our Savior as Lord, proclaiming Him as the Miracle Worker and bestowing upon His beloved ones gifts that exceed both words and expectations; apart from Him, we know no other. We have learned to proclaim with heartfelt conviction: “Lord, there is no other you know” (Isaiah 26:13). Observe how the Creator of all creation, in a sense, mocks humanity by referring to His mighty power as ‘siplei power’ which He has sent upon them. Although we would not claim that ‘siplei’ reflects the true power of God, it is as if He addresses those who cannot bear their own chastisement, saying: “Proud and arrogant ones, who think nothing of My holiness, I did not send down fire from the heavens, nor thunder, nor hail, nor any such manifestation befitting divine majesty; instead, a trivial swarm of worms has come upon the earth to bring you low, leaving you bewildered and lost; for such trivialities I consider My great power.” This speech serves both as a form of adaptation and a mockery, as if God is reproaching the arrogant, illustrating that if He intended to punish them, something as inconsequential as worms would suffice to accomplish His purpose. Let not the heretics scoff or blaspheme the glory of the Only Begotten; let us not equate divine power with that of a worm, for such a diminutive mindset is a testament to their folly.