THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Through these statements, he affirmed that they continually stood in opposition to the Supreme Judge. Instead of heeding the messages of the holy prophets, and earnestly striving to align with the will of the Lawgiver, they should have opted for a life of dignity and righteousness, walking a path free from blame. Instead, they exhibited cruelty, disregarded their Teacher, and possessed a heart that was defiant and insensitive: they persistently scorned the divine words and treated their messengers with great disdain, even though the latter spoke through the Holy Spirit and fulfilled the prophetic commission.
Read more (152 words)
They fell into such depth of depravity and madness that they failed to repent until they witnessed the fulfillment of the prophesied calamities, suffering the consequences of God’s righteous anger. When God declares, “And I will cast out into every tongue, and the land shall be desolate from him that passeth through, and from him that returneth,” it can be understood as a prophetic foretelling; for they were exiled to the Persians and Medians, already having endured captivity. Their land had become desolate, and the finest region was rendered void of travelers or returnees; many lost their lives in warfare, while others were burdened by the chains of enslavement. Thus, this message, along with the others, serves as a foundational prophecy. The detrimental effects of ignoring divine words are evident in the fates of ancient peoples, requiring no further evidence; it is clear to all who have tasted the blessings of obedience.