Yet, he who—I do not refer to times past—just yesterday worshiped idols to My disgrace; who leveraged violence against Me as much as he could; who, by divine allowance, wronged the helpless and adorned himself in ill-gotten gain; who has waged war against those who believe sincerely in their hearts and rely upon noble authorities, shall he not find himself the target of the Lord’s fury? Will he not suffer overwhelming shame? The phrase we have expressed: ‘My people have instead become an enemy to Me,’ as interpreted by Symmachus, captures the idea that the term ‘instead’ (mul םול) conveys both “against” and “yesterday," indicating, “My people have grievously turned against Me recently.” Thus, it clarifies that God does not attribute past wrongs but rather new transgressions as if they were committed only yesterday. This interpretation aligns with the Hebrew text; however, the Seventy interpreters deviate in their understanding. In the narrative itself, how is there a connection between the opening phrase: ‘In the house of the Lord shed no bitter tears,’ and the following, ‘will she not divert disgrace from herself by claiming the house of Jacob has prompted the Spirit of the Lord to battle?’ Then, in the subsequent lines, ‘Are not these his beginnings? Were not his words right for him? And did they not walk in righteousness?’ how does this relate to the further declaration, ‘And the people who were once Mine, they opposed with hostility contrary to their peace; they stripped his skin to rob him of the hope of utter defeat in warfare?’ It appears that although challenging to interpret, a possible understanding might be proposed, should the discerning reader accept this interpretation. The church is admonished not to grieve over temporal matters and losses common in this world; its members are encouraged to rejoice and remain glad in whatever trials may arise due to the righteous judgment of God. I do not claim that you ought to never weep, for, ‘Blessed are those who weep... for they shall laugh’ (Luke 6:21), but I implore you not to mourn for worldly concerns. If a beloved relative should pass; if a taxation should deplete your resources; if affliction or illness should seize the body: do not weep, do not shed tears of anguish; do not fret about the immediate, but rather about what lies ahead, and mourn more deeply for spending too long in this realm of death. Therefore, take care not to assault the vulnerable, nor to see another’s ruin as a means of elevating yourself: let each receive reward according to his own capability, not from another's lack. Otherwise, what truth would there be if the branches of the wild olive tree were to attack the branches of the cultivated olive tree, which were severed due to their unfaithfulness (Rom. 11:17-20), and claim, The house of Jacob has roused the Spirit of God to battle, beating the prophets, bowing to idols, and crucifying the Son of God? Those who engage in such actions will not escape reproach and will face judgment in the same measure they have judged others; and just as they have spoken of the shortcomings of others, so shall they become targets of reproach themselves. Thus follows: ‘Are not these his beginnings? Were not his words good for him? And did they not walk rightly?’ Furthermore, the Jewish people indicate that he, after being rejected, allowed the multitude to attain salvation; this was the work of divine providence, that through the faith of Israel, all might be saved and come to depend on God's mercy. Hence, when the apostle addresses this matter, he exclaims that the depths of God’s wisdom, knowledge, and judgments are beyond comprehension (Rom. 11:33). If, therefore, the decrees and designs of God may involve removing the former branches of the cultivated olive tree and grafting in others from the wild olive, do not rebel, but rather remain in a state of fear regarding your standing, lest you believe yourself in favor with God by merely reading His word, the Scriptures. The Scriptures serve only to benefit those who act upon them; and when you, citing the Scriptures, can declare, ‘Do you not seek proof of Him who speaks in me,’ meaning Christ (2 Cor. 13:3), for the Lord will bless those who preach the good news with great force (Ps. 67:12), and, ‘Ascend to the high mountain, O herald of Zion, and raise your voice with strength, O herald of Jerusalem’ (Is. 40:9). Thus, the words of God are good if they are accompanied by Him; that is, if God remains with the speaker, if their heart and mouth are in unison. However, the good words of God are not present with the one who speaks solely with his lips while his heart is distant from God; he declares His justice and upholds His covenant, but in actions is stained by the practices of the wicked. This applies not only to the sinner but to anyone lacking the grace of the Spirit. Such a person will be devoid of the word of God if they aim to justify the elements, the foundations of their faith, and explain why God, the good and Creator of all, reached out only to the Jews, and has recently called the Gentiles; through inexperience, they misrepresent even the pure words of God, which are direct and aim to reach the right ears. This is what the Lord instructs those meant to be the successors of Israel and the church formed from the Gentiles: not to attack the original generation of Israel and, through such actions, earn reproach. The True Judge, speaking devoid of anger, reveals how Israel, during His suffering, will become an adversary, not out of the ability to harm their Maker, but due to orchestrating their own destruction. Thus, He turns His address to Jerusalem, ‘Oh, if only you had known what would bring you peace’ (Luke 19:42). In losing the world, they stripped off their covering, that is, they removed the protection of God that shielded them, becoming as bare bodies devoid of skin or covering; that which was once seen as beautiful, shielded by divine mercy, when stripped bare revealed their disgrace to all who looked upon them. After the removal of peace and God’s guidance, due to their resistance against Him—which is stated, ‘The Lord is the One who shatters wars,’ the Lord is His name (Judith 16:2)—they could not stand against their foes, suffering defeat in every battle, with no one defending them from the threats they faced—either from men who led them into captivity or from spiritual forces that ensnared their souls daily through heresy.
THEOSIS