THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Next, God established another commandment, stating that when a priest's daughter becomes a widow or is divorced and has no children, she may return to her father's house as she was in her youth. The historical interpretation here is evident, so we will delve into the deeper, spiritual meanings. If a soul, as one condemned, finds itself abandoned and devoid of its spiritual Bridegroom, lacking the fruits of righteousness, it should return to its foundational path and seek reconciliation with God through repentance, partaking in His sustenance.
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This principle can also extend to what we have previously discussed. It is observed that if a once-holy soul, led astray by wickedness, falls into error and embraces false teachings, it becomes as a widow, forsaken by God. However, upon realizing its plight, it must return to the Father, who welcomes back the lost, provided they are cleansed from the corruption they have encountered and bring no remnants of the iniquity that misled them. He warmly accepts them into the fold of His holy worshippers, offering Himself as the Bread of Life, nourishing them with His divine presence.
Furthermore, through these commands, the Lawgiver reveals a different truth. He prophetically addresses the downfall of the Jewish synagogue and its subsequent judgment, while also foretelling the grace that will eventually draw it back to repentance and restoration. For it is said, if the priest’s daughter chooses to marry a foreigner, she shall not partake of the sacred offerings. In teaching and guidance, it is as if Moses, a divine figure and priest-king from the tribe of Levi, is acknowledged as her father. Yet this 'daughter' chose to stray towards foreign influences, undervaluing the divine decrees of God and instead succumbing to the doctrines of men, thereby producing fruit aligned with these foreign teachings.
God rebuked her through the prophet Jeremiah, urging her to recognize her unfaithfulness: “Lift up thine eyes to the heights, and see where they have not fornicated with thee? By the wayside thou hast sat for them as an Arabian in the wilderness, and hast defiled the land by thy fornication and thy wickedness” (Jeremiah 3:2-3). These past transgressions of the Jewish synagogue resonate with its present denial of Christ; it failed to embrace the divine Bridegroom sent from the Father, instead preferring the interpretations of the scribes and Pharisees. Thus, it neglected communion with the saints and refrained from partaking of the heavenly Bread, which is Christ.
Observe the consequences Christ imposed on those who rejected Him and the means by which they can be forgiven and restored. As it is stated, "When the daughter of the priest shall be a widow, or divorced, and shall have no children, and shall return to her father's house” (Leviticus 22:13). The synagogue of the Jews became a widow, estranged for its transgressions against Christ, remaining in sin and devoid of spiritual blessings for an extended period. Yet, a return to the Father awaits, as faith will call her back to God; she will recognize Him as the Prince of all and share in the blessings of Christ.
The prophet clarifies this mystery, proclaiming: "For a long time the children of Israel shall remain without a king, and without a prince, and without sacrifice, without altar, without ephod and teraphim. After that the children of Israel shall turn back and call upon the Lord their God and David their king, and they shall reverence the Lord and His goodness in the last days” (Hosea 3:4-5). Truly, the word stands eternal.