THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The thirty-seventh encampment signifies sages or ventriloquists. Heliou describes them as "great containers that, when filled with new wine and sealed, burst forth." The wise individuals vehemently opposed Moses and Aaron (Ex. 7ff.). The king of Israel was led astray by a woman from Jendor, portrayed by the Seventy translators as possessing a ventriloquizing spirit, while the Hebrew text refers to her as having a spirit of sorcery (1 Kings 28:7). Numerous enchantments and countless snares ensnare the souls of humanity, yet we, placing our trust in the Lord, declare: the net is broken and we shall be set free (Ps. 123:7). Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear any evil, for You are with me (Ps.
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22:4); a thousand may fall at our side, and ten thousand at our right hand (Ps. 90:7). Let us not be dismayed by the onslaught of the day or the spirit of noon, but rather close our ears to avoid hearing the voices of seducers, and let us scorn the spells of the sirens. In light of the image of God, formed in the thoughts of our hearts, and the expression of faith, spoken with our lips, the serpents rise and the devil's schemes beckon us to combat. However, we possess a most precious treasure housed in fragile vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7), which may be shattered to the point that only a few shards remain to draw even a little water. Therefore, let us protect our hearts with utmost diligence.