THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Palladius. How should we regard those who desire to follow the Lord but are not fully committed to the task at hand, stumbling due to their weakness and shying away from what demands effort? Cyril. Those who are sluggish and struggle to cultivate thoughts that please God, who have not fully engaged their minds with the virtuous life of the saints, and only apply a fraction of their natural diligence and fervor to loving God, while the remainder they waste carelessly on fleeting pleasures, trivial pursuits, and burdensome worries—these are similar to the descendants of Reuben and Gad, as noted in the Book of Numbers.
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After reproaching their forefathers for their disobedience and highlighting the consequences they faced, for they “died in the wilderness,” as recorded, not having witnessed the promised land, he states further. It is evident that, for the sake of their pastures and livestock, and out of love for their families, they were unwilling to cross the Jordan, opting instead to forgo battle and share in the glory and hope of forthcoming blessings; it appeared to them that it was best to remain dry, avoiding the waters of the Jordan. Thus do some individuals reflect this disposition in their lives: overwhelmed by earthly concerns and fixated on temporal matters, they scarcely devote any attention to essential spiritual needs or the divine things; as it is said, “many are called, but few are chosen.” They exist among the called merely in faith, not yet among the elect due to their indulgence in pleasure, being hesitant and indecisive even regarding the grace of holy baptism itself, fearing to engage in efforts for God’s glory or their own salvation, contrary to the example of the saints, even when circumstances might be favorable. Now, if you contemplate the depths of these writings, you will marvel at the beauty of the imagery within. Palladius. How so? Cyril. Those who neglected sublime matters for cattle and familial responsibilities—these were Reuben and Gad. Palladius. And what of them? Cyril. One was Jacob's firstborn, while the other was born of the maidservant Zilpah. Palladius. That is correct. Cyril. The firstborn in faith and those called are those who have, as much as they can, received from God their chosen inheritance through grace, but who have not revealed themselves as lovers of freedom due to the dominance of shameful desires within them. We refer to “the church of the firstborn written in heaven” for those justified by faith. Yet the original aversion to freedom tragically aligns with those who indulge in the disgrace of servitude. Palladius. You have articulated this excellently.