The two texts generally agree, apart from the initial part of the passage. Referring to the day of judgment for Samaria or Jerusalem, which the prophet anticipated with both hope and fear, it speaks of captivity in historical terms: “Thy visitation is come: now shall be the ruin of them.” This signifies the inhabitants or the siege, as the Hebrew term marucha denotes siege and vigilant guarding rather than mere desolation. Therefore, do not place your trust in the words of the prophets or listen to the flattering promises of fortune-tellers, for while it is rare to fully trust even the closest of friends and family, it is even more unusual to rely on those who offer sweet deceptions for their own gain instead of providing true counsel. Do not put your faith in friends, as Judas betrayed Christ (Matthew 26), nor lean on a leader, recalling the men of Shechem and Abimelech in Judges 9, who made him king and later suffered under his rule. “Keep the door of thy mouth from her that rests in thy bosom,” as a reminder of what befell Samson due to Delilah’s betrayal (Judges 16). “For the son shall do dishonor to the father,” just as Absalom shamed David, not only opposing the kingdom but also insulting his father’s concubines through incest (2 Samuel 16). “A daughter shall rebel against her mother,” although such incidents may not appear in the Scriptures of St. Paul, daily life presents more than enough examples to merit deep concern. “A daughter-in-law shall stand against her mother-in-law,” as seen with Esau's wife rebelling against Rebekah (Genesis 26). “A man’s enemies are his household.” I will not select specific examples, as there are plenty to validate this truth.
Thus, amidst such treachery, you Samaria, or Samaria and Jerusalem! do not place your trust in false prophets. But the prophet declares, “I will look unto the Lord,” and will rejoice in God my Savior, for “my God shall hear me.” Proceeding in the spirit of the Septuagint, it states, “Woe, woe, thy vengeance is come,” indicating punishment for transgressions. The Lord asserts, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” (Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32), and again, “The days of thy vengeance are come” (Hosea 9:7). For the Lord avenges those who earnestly cry out to Him, saying, “Until, O holy and true Lord, Thou judgest and avenge our blood upon them that dwell on the earth” (Revelation 6:10). The time for vengeance approaches, marked by weeping for those who previously reveled, who will, after departing this life, endure the torments of the rich man, once robed in purple and living in luxury, now suffering in hell, where there’s weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 16; Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:42). The phrase “Now shall be” may refer to the conclusion of one’s life or the ultimate destruction of all things on the day of reckoning, when universal vengeance will descend upon all.
Therefore, do not rely on friends, as every friendship may become self-serving; those who profess to be friends may not truly care for the one they appear to love (for from amore comes amicus), but rather for what they gain from that love. Regarding friendship, one may say, “The second me.” Thus, reflecting on the example of the Pythagoreans, who mutually pledged their loyalty before a tyrant, it becomes evident that God's judgment is not against all friends, nor against all true expressions of love, but pertains to situations as Apostle foretold: “In the last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be self-loving, covetous, haughty, proud, evil speaking, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, criminal, without love, untrustworthy, slanderous, impenitent, unyielding, merciless, traitorous, arrogant, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1, 2). For it will be a time when brother betrays brother, and father forsakes son, mother against daughter; “A man’s enemies are those of his own household” (Matthew 10:35, 36). Yet even now, true faith is rare; what is spoken outwardly often contrasts starkly with the hidden attitudes of the heart; sweetness on the lips may conceal bitterness in the soul. The wealthy attract many friends, but the poor may find themselves abandoned even by those who seem to stand by them. Hence, it is aptly said, “If you possess a friend, test him” (Ecclesiastes 6:7). One illuminates the truth: A friend is scarce and difficult to find, yet even harder to retain. Theophrastus acknowledged this rarity in three works on friendship; similarly, Cicero wrote of friendship in a book dedicated to Lelius, advising that a true friend is like fine wine to be savored slowly.
Friendship may exist between different individuals, or forge bonds of equality; where there is disparity in status, affection is often forsaken for manipulation. Thus, it is wisely observed, “Let a friend be of the same soul with us.” Even the poet, seeking a companion, expresses, “Save half of my soul” (Horace). Hence, do not rely on those who perceive friendship as a means to personal gain. To experience true companionship, one must be a friend of God, akin to Moses, who conversed with God as one would with a fellow (Exodus 33:11). Be a friend like the Apostles, to whom the Savior said, “I will no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know his master's intentions; but I will call you friends, because you have been with Me through all My trials” (John 15:15). Such friendships, maintained amid prosperity, can be fragile; those who indulge in self-love should not be deemed true friends.
Reflect on the Lord's declaration, “But I will call you friends,” for you have stood steadfast in trials; not merely one temptation, for it is possible that one who supports us in a single adversity may falter in others. Additionally, it is commanded: “Put not your trust in leaders”—“cursed is the man who trusts in man” (Jeremiah 17:5)—for reliance on man is futile, while trust in God is steadfast. Therefore, Apostle Paul states: “And out of yourselves men will arise who will speak perverse things” (Acts 20:30); likewise, the Lord proclaims through the prophet, “The leaders of My people have not recognized Me: they are foolish sons, lacking understanding; they are wise in doing evil but have no ability to do good” (Jeremiah 4:22). Although labeled as leaders of the people, their failure to perceive God renders them foolish and devoid of wisdom; they only excel in oppressing the flock instead of guiding them righteously. Do not depend on leaders or judges, be they bishop, presbyter, deacon, or any other rank; this does not imply disobedience to church authorities, as “whosoever speaks evil of father or mother shall be put to death” (Leviticus 20:9), and the Apostle teaches submission to leaders in the church (1 Peter 2; Hebrews 13:17). However, honoring leaders is distinct from placing one’s hopes in them. Let us revere the bishop, support the presbyter, and show respect to the deacon, yet not put our hope in them, for the reliance on man is vain, while the trust in God is firm.
Finally, the edict remains, “Keep thyself from her that rests with thee,” and be wary of trusting her. The Apostle regards women as fragile vessels (1 Peter 3:7), requiring they be honored by their husbands. It is the husband’s role to love (Ephesians 5:25), while the wife must hold her husband in reverence (Ephesians 5:33). The husband must love without harshness, even when provoked. Solomon rightly observed, “I found one man among a thousand, but not one woman among them all” (Ecclesiastes 7:28); perhaps his own experience taught him the fickleness of women, having turned away from God due to their influence (1 Kings 11:2-9). Renowned poets, even Homer, conveyed the same sentiment, expressing that women are ever-changing. Both Greek and Latin narratives abound with tales of husbands betrayed by their wives. From Scripture, examples abound, including Delilah, who extracted Samson's secret through deceit. Thus, Samson remarked, “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle” (Judges 14:18).
In summary, the directive is clear: do not place undue trust in friends, leaders, or spouses; however, the rationale must remain consistent, as there is a relationship between the rebellion of a son against a father, a daughter against a mother, and a daughter-in-law against a mother-in-law. Such connections illustrate the reality that friends, leaders, and spouses may falter, evolving with each circumstance, as even a son can turn against his upbringing and bring disgrace. This parallels the experience of a daughter-in-law opposed to her mother-in-law, and the animosities within a household. It is noted, “What is this? All mothers-in-law hate daughters-in-law,” as captured in Terentius’ comedy “Hecyra.”
The prophetic message describes humanity's state before the arrival of Antichrist. Now, let us interpret this text through the lens of the previous insights about heretics. Consider, “Hear ye the tribe, and who hath adorned the city? Is it the fire and the house of the wicked?” Addressing the Church, “Woe is me, for I am like one who gathers the ears at harvest time!” As the lament continues, “Woe is me, O soul! The righteous or the converted on earth has perished, and there is no one among men to correct!” Additionally, “The Prince oppresses, and the judge speaks soft words as he desires.” Thus, the dual warning echoes, “Woe, woe! Thy vengeance is come: now shall their weeping be.”
This speaks of heretics: “Put not your trust in friends, ye common folk, nor in treacherous leaders, who claim to guide but seek their own profit, trampling the flock they deceive. Beware also of those who share your bed, for trusting in flesh can lead to the softening of a strong spirit by base desires. Even the son of God, forgetting his Creator, speaks ill of his Maker, for “Did not the One God create you? Is there not one Father for us all?” (Malachi 2:10). Just as the soul neglects the heavenly Jerusalem, it should not disregard the church. Anyone who despises it shall face death.
The imagery of a daughter-in-law rebelling against her mother-in-law becomes clearer when understood metaphorically. Reading the Song of Songs reveals that the Word of God, as the bridegroom, implies that the soul, as the bride, is intertwined with the Spirit, revered as its mother-in-law in Hebrew linguistics. Thus, while heretics once believed in the Holy Scriptures authored by the Holy Spirit, they strayed to new doctrines, betraying the Word of God. To clarify, the Word and Son of God indeed stem from the Holy Spirit, as demonstrated through Gabriel’s message to Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; thus, the Holy One to be born of you will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
The subsequent declaration states, “A man's enemies are those of his household.” This conveys: each person’s head is Christ, with Christ as the head of the church (1 Corinthians 11:3). Often, the adversaries are those presumed to belong to His household. Despite their presence in the church, they harbor contrary thoughts, claiming knowledge of the Scriptures through their arrogance, lacking understanding. They may occupy seats of authority, yet they remain in conflict with the truth.
It is essential to acknowledge that the prophet’s words align closely, yet differ in meaning within the Gospel context, as their interpretation depends on their surrounding narrative. The Lord, who spoke through the prophets and the Evangelists, reminds us: “I have come to set a man against his father, and a son against his mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be of his own household” (Matthew 10:35, 36).
THEOSIS