Particularly in this context, it does not say "dwelling on the rock" or "stone" that undergirds the wise builder’s house, but rather "in the clefts of the rocks," indicating the divide between heresies and the firm foundation of Christ, the true Rock, and His Church.
Consider, I have made you insignificant among the nations; you are greatly scorned. The pride of your heart has overwhelmed you, residing in the fissures of the rock and setting your throne aloft, saying in your heart, Who can bring me down to the ground? Even if you soar high as an eagle and build your nest among the stars, I shall bring you down from there, declares the Lord. (LXX: Behold, I have made you the least among the nations; you are indeed dishonored. The arrogance of your heart has degraded you, who dwells in the holes of the rocks, and makes your dwelling high, and says in your heart, Who shall bring me down to the earth? If you ascend as high as an eagle and nest in the midst of the stars, I will similarly bring you down from there, declares the Lord). The subsequent words of Jeremiah, which we referenced earlier, align closely with this: Behold, I have made you small among the nations, despised among men... The pride in your heart has misled you, residing in the rock’s caves and aspiring to occupy the height of the hill. If you build your nest high as an eagle, the Lord declares, I will also bring you down from there (Jeremiah 49:15-16). When interpreting prophecies, we must, as is customary, first establish a historical foundation before endeavoring to erect the towers and the roof. The Prophet articulates, You, Edom, being the least among the nations, and numerically few compared to others, arrogantly elevate yourself beyond your capacity. Even as you dwell in caves or in rock clefts, lacking lofty edifices, and existing in abject poverty, still you imagine yourself lifted high as an eagle, thinking you dwell among the stars. Yet, even if you ascend to heaven, I shall also cast you down, declares the Lord God. The additional words in Jeremiah, “and endeavoring to occupy the top of the hill,” hint at Mount Zion, indicating that the city of Jerusalem, or the temple therein, is being referenced. Regarding eagles, those who study the nature of birds assert that they fly higher than any other, possessing such keen vision that while soaring with wings unfurled above the sea and beyond human sight, they can see the fish below and, as they approach the shore, descend like a stone, capturing their prey and transporting it back to the shore with ease.
Having discerned the historical context, let us explore its spiritual implications. Though you, heretic, presume yourself grand and trample upon the Church, consider that you are indeed insignificant among the nations, scorned and held in contempt. ‘The pride of your heart has deceived you.’ For which heretic is free from arrogance, belittling the Church’s simplicity and equating faith with ignorance? ‘Dwelling in the clefts of the rock and elevating oneself.’ While stone or rock is frequently associated with the Lord and signifies stability—thus the prophet asserts, 'Set my feet upon a rock’ (Psalms 39:3), and Peter is addressed, ‘You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church’ (Matthew 16:18)—it can be portrayed in a negative light: ‘I shall remove the heart of stone... and give you a heart of flesh’ (Ezekiel 36:26), and ‘God can raise up children of Abraham from these stones’ (Matthew 3:9). Especially in the current context, it emphasizes not “dwelling on” the stone upon which a wise builder constructs a house, but rather “in the clefts of the rock,” illustrating the divergence of heresies from Christ, the true rock, and from His Church.
The words that follow, ‘who sets his throne on high and says in his heart, Who can bring me down to the earth?’ portray the hubris of heretics, who rest securely in their esoteric teachings, deceiving themselves into believing they possess the keys to the heavenly kingdom (this should be seen as hyperbole). This is why the Apostle addresses such individuals: ‘You have already reigned without us; and would that you might reign, that we also might reign with you’ (1 Corinthians 4:8)! As David similarly observes, ‘They have set their mouths in heaven, their tongues traverse the earth’ (Psalms 72:9). Yet if they ascend like eagles—mirroring those eagles that gather around the Lord’s body—and if they nest among the stars, then I shall also cast them down from there, proclaims the Lord. For just as in the repose of the household, an enemy sows tares among the wheat (Matthew 13:25), so too this eagle, adorned with splendidly vibrant plumage, ventures to Lebanon, claims the summit of the cedar, and establishes its abode by the tranquil waters, nurturing its young vines (Ezekiel 17), typically nesting among the church's stars, of which it is said, ‘But the righteous will shine like the stars’ (Matthew 13:43).
I previously suggested that this may also relate to the flesh, signifying that at Christ’s arrival its powers were diminished, rendered contemptible, subdued to the soul’s authority, and foolishly aspiring to elevate itself while residing in the rock's fissures—immersed in its feelings and desires to overpower the soul, placing its throne aloft, believing its deeds beyond defeat. Yet, despite its ambition to ascend and mimic the eagle, deceiving many saints, it ultimately faces defeat and is brought low by the Lord. What we have discussed regarding heretics and the flesh may also be applied to the Jews.
THEOSIS