THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The discourse revisits the somber forecasts and concludes by highlighting the extraordinary deeds of Christ. It seems to blend with what was previously stated, indicating the outcomes stemming from divine disfavor. He proclaimed: "And thou, thou pillar of the flock of the moment, O ye women of Zion, unto thee shall come, and the first power shall come in, the kingdom out of Babylon the daughter of Jerusalem" (Micah 4:8). Consequently, he foretells the downfall of your cavalry and the loss of the splendor of your chariots, the ruination of your cities, and the destruction of your very fortifications, as the Babylonians set fire to the cities along with the inhabitants.
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The outcomes of your own wisdom—enchantments and false prophecies along with the very workshops of deceit, the temples and their idols—will face total annihilation, and the groves will be leveled. What will ensue from this? Such a magnificent judgment and punitive measure will not be concealed from the neighboring Gentiles. They will recognize that all these afflictions are due to their disobedience to God. Wisdom similarly warns those with unchecked hearts: "Forasmuch as ... For I also will laugh at your destruction, but I will rejoice when destruction comes upon you; and when rebellion comes... rebellion shall come at once, and destruction shall come like a storm" (Proverbs 1:24, 26-27); for the results of turning away from God are wrath, anger, turmoil, grief, and suffering. Thus, we should eagerly and without delay heed God's call to righteousness and strive to do what pleases Him, for procrastination and laziness in good works can bring us grave consequences and subject us to profound suffering. Observe how God transforms the very punishments for sins into opportunities for humanity’s good: He rescues Israel from detestable idolatry, unholy altars, shrines, sacrifices, and the adoration of crafted things. Hence, it is not in vain to undergo His discipline if it is "in judgment, and not in wrath," as noted by the prophet (Jeremiah 10:24). (Jer. 10:24). If one were to assert that this reflects the situation of the Jews who acted defiantly against Christ, such a claim would not be unfounded. Their cities indeed faced devastation, and the entire generation of able-bodied men was perished, destroyed by Roman might. It is likely that they bore the weight of ancient idolatry, even though some among them still sought to worship created things and were immersed in sorcery, perpetually inclined to follow after those drawn to idolatry, finding no aspect of it too foolish to embrace.