THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
This serves as a prophecy, not as a mere expression of desire. These words are not condemned with malevolence, but rather, they are revealed by the Spirit: similar to how the fate of Judas the betrayer was predicted, the misfortunes awaiting him were conveyed as though they were wished for. Just as a prophet does not issue commands to Christ, even when speaking in a commanding tone, such as saying, “Thou shalt sheath thy sword upon thy thigh, O Almighty: in thy beauty and in thy goodness go and prosper, go and reign,” so too does he not express a wish, but rather a prophecy when he declares, “
Read more (281 words)
Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that know thee not.” He reiterates this in his customary style, specifying, “And of the kingdoms that have not called upon Thy name.” The nations are encompassed within the kingdoms, and their failure to acknowledge Him is similarly reflected in their lack of calling upon His name.
How, then, are we to interpret what the Lord conveys in the Gospel of Luke regarding the differing stripes, the many and the few? Is there not a more severe anger of God against those nations that have not recognized the Lord? His phrase, “Pour out His wrath,” unmistakably suggests the intensity of wrath He intends to convey. Yet why does He also say, “Give to our neighbors seven times as much”? There exists a significant distinction between servants who, despite their ignorance of their Lord’s will, still invoke His name, and those who are entirely estranged from the household of such a great Master, being so oblivious to God that they do not even call upon Him. Instead, they glibly address idols, demons, or any entity of their choosing, excluding the eternally blessed Creator.
Concerning those of whom he prophesies, he makes no suggestion that they are ignorant of God’s will to such an extent that they even fear the Lord; rather, they are so uninformed about the Lord Himself that they do not invoke Him, positioning themselves as adversaries of His name. There is a stark contrast between servants who may not comprehend God’s will yet reside within His household and those who actively resist the knowledge of the Lord Himself, failing to call upon His name, and contend against it even among His servants.