THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The prophets are likened to bearers of the wind, men who lack integrity. It is noteworthy that the prophets of Jerusalem are characterized as not being sent by God, as they spoke falsehoods that originated from their own hearts rather than from the voice of the Lord, as recorded (Ezekiel 13:2, etc.). The prophetic word derisively labels them ‘wind-bearers’ because they were not true recipients of the Holy Spirit. Instead, they presumptuously claimed the prophetic gift and boasted about their supposed fullness of the Spirit.
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In their quest for recognition as both prophets and Spirit-bearers, they became so arrogant that they failed to grasp the essence of righteousness, leading others astray by speaking ‘from their hearts’—all of this, regrettably, driven by trivial gains, as the prophet Ezekiel observes, ‘a handful for barley, and for an acre of bread’ (Ezekiel 13:19). Their folly was such that they misrepresented their own ambitions as the will of the Almighty and asserted that their ideas were divine messages. Thus, Jeremiah declares, ‘I sent not the prophets, yet they ran: I spoke not unto them, yet they prophesied’ (Jeremiah 23:21). When the prophet denounced them, saying, ‘This is the Lord God; behold, their prophets prophesy and say, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall there be famine upon you, but truth and peace I will give in this place,’ the Lord of all creation countered, proclaiming: ‘The prophets prophesy falsely in my name; I have not sent them, nor commanded them, nor spoken to them: they prophesy unto you false visions, divination, and the illusions of their own hearts’ (Jeremiah 14:13-14). ‘If they be prophets, and the word of the Lord be in them, let them come forth to me’ (Jeremiah 27:18); ‘What is the spittle to the wheat? So is my word, saith the Lord, .... And how is the chaff that breaks the stone?’ (Jeremiah 23:28-29). The word of God penetrates deep into the soul and has the power to break the hearts of its hearers, in stark contrast to the feeble and cold words from human intention, such as those of the wicked false prophets (Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 7:29). His priestesses desecrate the sacred space and corrupt the law. Even the chosen tribe, the tribe of Levi, was not beyond reproach. He calls them out for ‘profaning the holy things and being corrupt concerning the law.’ It is stated, ‘For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth’ (Malachi 2:7), yet the Lord of Hosts proclaims, ‘The priestesses shall not ask, Where is the Lord?’ (Jeremiah 2:8). This signifies their reluctance to clarify the law for those in ignorance and a failure to guide their congregation towards what is pleasing to God. This, I believe, reflects their disobedience to the law. Their transgressions were not limited to this; they also ‘defile the holy place,’ as mentioned. The Mosaic law demands meticulousness in sacrifices and offerings, specifying the time and manner in which each should be presented. They likely made their offerings carelessly and without regard for the prescribed manner or timing. Perhaps they even performed the sacred rites without first purifying themselves, donning the appropriate priestly garments, or honoring the significance of such an exalted and remarkable duty. Ministers of the Church must thus remain vigilant against tarnishing sacred matters. The nature of defilement is diverse and requires individuals to be cleansed both in spirit and body, shunning all forms of improper desires, while actively exhibiting zeal towards good deeds and adhering to the wise instruction of the apostle Paul: ‘Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh’ (Galatians 5:16).