Monday of the Sixth Week of Lent
Theodore of Sykeon, Bishop of Anastasiopolis
St Theodore the SykeoteHoly Martyr Leonidas (202)Our Holy Father, the monk Vitalis
Vespers
Genesis 27.1-41
§ 27
AND it came to pass after Isaac was old, that his eyes were dimmed so that he could not see; and he called Esau, his elder son, and said to him, My son; and he said, Behold, I [am here].
ΕΓΕΝΕΤΟ δὲ μετὰ τὸ γηράσαι τὸν ᾿Ισαὰκ καὶ ἠμβλύνθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ τοῦ ὁρᾶν, καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ῾Ησαῦ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν πρεσβύτερον καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· υἱέ μου· καὶ εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ ἐγώ.
Бы́сть же, повнегда̀ состарѣ́тисѧ і҆саа́кови, и҆ притꙋпи́шасѧ ѻ҆́чи є҆гѡ̀ є҆́же ви́дѣти: и҆ призва̀ и҆са́ѵа сы́на своего̀ старѣ́йшаго, и҆ речѐ є҆мꙋ̀: сы́не мо́й. И҆ речѐ: сѐ, а҆́зъ.
And he said, Behold, I am grown old, and know not the day of my death.
καὶ εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ γεγήρακα καὶ οὐ γινώσκω τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς τελευτῆς μου·
И҆ речѐ і҆саа́къ: сѐ, состарѣ́хсѧ, и҆ не вѣ́мъ днѐ сконча́нїѧ моегѡ̀:
and make me meats, as I like them, and bring them to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless thee, before I die.
καὶ ποίησόν μοι ἐδέσματα, ὡς φιλῶ ἐγώ, καὶ ἔνεγκέ μοι, ἵνα φάγω, ὅπως εὐλογήσῃ σε ἡ ψυχή μου πρὶν ἀποθανεῖν με.
и҆ сотвори́ ми снѣ̑ди, ꙗ҆́коже люблю̀ а҆́зъ: и҆ принеси́ ми, да ꙗ҆́мъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ да бл҃гослови́тъ тѧ̀ дꙋша̀ моѧ̀, пре́жде да́же не ᲂу҆мрꙋ̀.
And Rebecca heard Isaac speaking to Esau his son; and Esau went to the plain to procure venison for his father.
Ρεβέκκα δὲ ἤκουσε λαλοῦντος ᾿Ισαὰκ πρὸς ῾Ησαῦ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ. ἐπορεύθη δὲ ῾Ησαῦ εἰς τὸ πεδίον θηρεῦσαι θήραν τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ·
Реве́кка же слы́ша глаго́люща і҆саа́ка ко и҆са́ѵꙋ сы́нꙋ своемꙋ̀. И҆зы́де же и҆са́ѵъ на по́ле ᲂу҆лови́ти ло́въ ѻ҆тцꙋ̀ своемꙋ̀.
And Rebecca said to Jacob her younger son, Behold, I heard thy father speaking to Esau thy brother, saying,
Ρεβέκκα δὲ εἶπε πρὸς ᾿Ιακὼβ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς, τὸν ἐλάσσω· ἰδέ, ἤκουσα τοῦ πατρός σου λαλοῦντος πρὸς ῾Ησαῦ τὸν ἀδελφόν σου λέγοντος·
Реве́кка же речѐ ко і҆а́кѡвꙋ сы́нꙋ своемꙋ̀ ме́ньшемꙋ: сѐ, а҆́зъ слы́шахъ ѻ҆тца̀ твоего̀ бесѣ́дꙋюща ко и҆са́ѵꙋ бра́тꙋ твоемꙋ̀, глаго́люща:
Bring me venison, and prepare me meats, that I may eat and bless thee before the Lord before I die.
ἔνεγκόν μοι θήραν καὶ ποίησόν μοι ἐδέσματα, ἵνα φαγὼν εὐλογήσω σε ἐναντίον Κυρίου πρὸ τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν με.
принеси́ ми ло́въ, и҆ сотвори́ ми снѣ̑ди, да ꙗ҆ды́й бл҃гословлю́ тѧ пред̾ гдⷭ҇емъ, пре́жде не́же ᲂу҆мре́ти мѝ:
Now then, my son, hearken to me, as I command thee.
νῦν οὖν, υἱέ μου, ἄκουσόν μου, καθὰ ἐγώ σοι ἐντέλλομαι.
нн҃ѣ ᲂу҆̀бо, сы́не мо́й, послꙋ́шай менѐ, ꙗ҆́коже а҆́зъ заповѣ́даю тѝ:
See a mother's affection, or rather God's designs: He it was who prompted her to make plans and also made sure all turned out well. Do you see the mother's excellent planning? See also Jacob's circumspection in showing his mildness of manner in his reply. "He replied to his mother, 'My brother Esau is hairy, whereas my skin is smooth. Perhaps my father may touch me, and I will appear ridiculous to him and bring on myself a curse, and not blessing' " Remarkable the child's dutifulness and his respect for his father: "I am afraid," he says. "My efforts may have the contrary effect. I may seem out of step with my father's wishes and win a curse instead of a blessing." So what does Rebekah do, this extraordinary woman of great affection? Since she was not concocting this only out of her own thinking but was also implementing the prediction from on high, she took every care to banish fear from the child and instill courage so as to bring off the plan. Instead of promising him that he would be able to deceive his father and elude detection, what did she say? "Let the curse on you fall on me, child; just heed my word, and go and fetch it for me." "Even if anything like this should happen," she is saying, "you personally will suffer no harm. So don't be afraid: Take heart, 'heed my word,' and do what I advise you." This really is a mother's love, readily accepting everything for her child's sake.
HOMILIES ON GENESIS 53.5I will try to explain briefly how wonderful, great and full of mysteries according to the promises of God are the events that occurred in these two twins. Isaac, their father, who had become blind in his physical eyes while his interior light continued to shine, promised Esau, his firstborn son, to give him the blessing, if he would prepare a tasteful dish of game for him. And Esau immediately hurried to carry out what had been ordered. The mother, who had heard the promise of the blessing for the elder brother, since she was divinely inspired, prepared a mystical plot made with prophetical art in order to direct the blessing to Jacob, the younger son. She took the garments of the firstborn son that she had at home, and dressed the younger brother with them, and put skins of young goats on his arms and his naked neck and dressed him in such a way that who he was would not be recognized. And this symbolical action in a sense shows us the Christ: he did not take the sinful flesh but "the likeness of sinful flesh" by receiving also the law of the Old Testament as the garments of the firstborn, since the Lord said that he had come not in order to abolish the law, but in order to accomplish it. In this attire Jacob, the younger son, who had already taken away from his brother the right of primogeniture, also gets hold of the blessing.
BOOK OF PROMISES AND PREDICTIONS OF GOD 1.21.28And go to the cattle and take for me thence two kids, tender and good, and I will make them meats for thy father, as he likes.
καὶ πορευθεὶς εἰς τὰ πρόβατα λαβέ μοι ἐκεῖθεν δύο ἐρίφους ἁπαλοὺς καὶ καλούς, καὶ ποιήσω αὐτοὺς ἐδέσματα τῷ πατρί σου, ὡς φιλεῖ,
и҆ ше́дъ во ѻ҆́вцы, поимѝ мнѣ̀ ѿтꙋ́дꙋ два̀ кѡ́злища мѧ̑гка и҆ дѡбра̀, и҆ сотворю̀ ѧ҆̀ снѣ̑ди ѻ҆тцꙋ̀ твоемꙋ̀, ꙗ҆́коже лю́битъ:
On the one hand, Rebekah, who bears the image of the church, already prefigures the future events that would be accomplished through her younger son. She says to him, "Go to the pasture of the sheep, and fetch me from there two small, tender and beautiful young goats." Esau is sent to the plain as if he lived abroad in the world; but Jacob is sent [to the pasture] of the sheep, in order that the words of the Lord, "I have been sent only to the lost sheep of Israel," might come true.On the other hand, by saying, "Fetch me from there two small, tender and beautiful young goats," she signified the two calls that appear to have been addressed by the Gospel. In fact, even though we are originally goats, because we are all sinners, through obedience we become tender and beautiful, justified by faith in Christ. No more [are we] like condemned goats but like sheep in pure sacrifice, in "sweet savor," offered to God and made nourishment for the Word, who gives similes their full accomplishment by saying to his disciples, "I have food to eat that you do not know."
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 4And thou shalt bring them in to thy father, and he shall eat, that thy father may bless thee before he dies.
καὶ εἰσοίσεις τῷ πατρί σου καὶ φάγεται, ὅπως εὐλογήσῃ σε ὁ πατήρ σου πρὸ τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν αὐτόν.
и҆ внесе́ши ѻ҆тцꙋ̀ твоемꙋ̀, и҆ бꙋ́детъ ꙗ҆́сти, ꙗ҆́кѡ да бл҃гослови́тъ тѧ̀ ѻ҆те́цъ тво́й, пре́жде да́же не ᲂу҆́мретъ.
And Jacob said to his mother Rebecca, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I a smooth man.
εἶπε δὲ ᾿Ιακὼβ πρὸς Ρεβέκκαν τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ· ἔστιν ῾Ησαῦ ὁ ἀδελφός μου ἀνὴρ δασύς, ἐγὼ δὲ ἀνὴρ λεῖος·
Рече́ же і҆а́кѡвъ къ реве́кцѣ ма́тери свое́й: и҆са́ѵъ бра́тъ мо́й є҆́сть мꙋ́жъ косма́тъ, а҆́зъ же мꙋ́жъ гла́дкїй:
How clearly Jacob has shown here his piety!… In other respects it was also true what was said by Jacob, that is: "My brother Esau is a hairy man," that is, a sinner, "but I am a man of smooth skin." In fact, through these words the faultless and sinless character of the flesh of the Lord is revealed.
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 5(Chapter XXVII, Verse 11) Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. Where it is written that he was hairy, in Hebrew it is written Seir (). Therefore, afterwards the mountains of Seir and the region in which he lived were called Seir: we have spoken of this before and above.
Hebrew Questions on GenesisAnd that no man may imagine that his simplicity was natural foolishness, see how attentive he was to the curses of his father, and how he returned answer concerning the things which were set forth by knowledge, "Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. Peradventure my father will feel me, and I shall be in his eyes as a mocker, and curses shall come upon me and not blessings." But his mother in faith, being certain of those early promises which were revealed to her, made answer unto him, saying, "Upon me be thy curses, my son, only hear my voice, and do what I command thee;" and straightway he was obedient to his mother like a child.
13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 4 -- On Faith: First Discourse on SimplicityPeradventure my father may feel me, and I shall be before him as one ill-intentioned, and I shall bring upon me a curse, and not a blessing.
μή ποτε ψηλαφήσῃ με ὁ πατήρ, καὶ ἔσομαι ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ ὡς καταφρονῶν καὶ ἐπάξω ἐπ᾿ ἐμαυτὸν κατάραν καὶ οὐκ εὐλογίαν.
да не ка́кѡ ѡ҆сѧ́жетъ мѧ̀ ѻ҆те́цъ мо́й, и҆ бꙋ́дꙋ пред̾ ни́мъ ꙗ҆́кѡ презира́ѧй, и҆ наведꙋ̀ на себѐ клѧ́твꙋ, а҆ не бл҃гослове́нїе.
And his mother said to him, On me be thy curse, son; only hearken to my voice, and go and bring [them] me.
εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ἡ μήτηρ· ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ ἡ κατάρα σου, τέκνον· μόνον ὑπάκουσόν μοι τῆς φωνῆς καὶ πορευθεὶς ἔνεγκέ μοι.
Рече́ же є҆мꙋ̀ ма́ти: на мнѣ̀ клѧ́тва твоѧ̀, ча́до: то́чїю послꙋ́шай гла́са моегѡ̀, и҆ ше́дъ принеси́ ми.
We can see that the words spoken by Rebekah a long time ago have now been fulfilled in the church. The words "Let your curse be on me, my son" show that now certain people offend the church by their blasphemies, because she worships the Crucified, and for that reason they throw curses and contempt at us. In fact, the passion of the Lord is held to be a curse for the unbelievers, whereas his life is peace for those who believe. The apostle says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." That is what the Savior has now accomplished by receiving in himself, through his body, death on the cross. By his obedience he has erased the curse of Adam, which was received in the law: "You are dust, and to dust you shall return."
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 5So he went and took and brought them to his mother; and his mother made meats, as his father liked [them].
πορευθεὶς δὲ ἔλαβε καὶ ἤνεγκε τῇ μητρί, καὶ ἐποίησεν ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ ἐδέσματα, καθὰ ἐφίλει ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ.
Ше́дъ же взѧ̀ и҆ принесѐ ма́тери, и҆ сотворѝ ма́ти є҆гѡ̀ снѣ̑ди, ꙗ҆́коже люблѧ́ше ѻ҆те́цъ є҆гѡ̀.
And Rebecca having taken the fine raiment of her elder son Esau which was with her in the house, put it on Jacob her younger son.
καὶ λαβοῦσα Ρεβέκκα τὴν στολὴν ῾Ησαῦ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτῆς τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου τὴν καλήν, ἣ ἦν παρ᾿ αὐτῇ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ, ἐνέδυσεν αὐτὴν ᾿Ιακὼβ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν νεώτερον
И҆ взе́мши реве́кка ѻ҆де́ждꙋ и҆са́ѵа сы́на своегѡ̀ старѣ́йшагѡ до́брꙋю, ꙗ҆́же бы́сть ᲂу҆ неѧ̀ въ домꙋ̀, ѡ҆блечѐ ѻ҆́ною і҆а́кѡва сы́на своего̀ ме́ньшаго,
Accordingly Jacob received his brother's clothing, because he excelled the elder in wisdom. Thus the younger brother took the clothing of the elder because he was conspicuous in the merit of his faith. Rebekah presented this clothing as a symbol of the church; she gave to the younger son the clothing of the Old Testament, the prophetic and priestly clothing, the royal Davidic clothing, the clothing of the kings Solomon and Hezekiah and Josiah. She gave it too to the Christian people, who would know how to use the garment they had received, since the Jewish people kept it without using it and did not know its proper adornments. This clothing was lying in shadow, cast off and forgotten; it was tarnished by a dark haze of impiety and could not be unfolded further in their confined hearts. The Christian people put it on, and it shone brightly. They made it bright with the splendor of their faith and the light of their holy works. Isaac recognized the familiar fragrance that attached to his people. He recognized the clothing of the Old Testament, but the voice of the people of old he did not recognize; therefore he knew that it had been changed. For even today the same clothing remains, but the confession of a people of greater devotion begins to sound harmonious; Isaac was right to say, "The voice indeed is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." And Isaac "smelled the fragrance of his garments." And perhaps that means that we are not justified by works but by faith, because the weakness of the flesh is a hindrance to works, but the brightness of faith puts the error that is in humanity's deeds in the shadow and merits for us the forgiveness of our sins.
On Jacob and the Blessed Life, Book 2, Chapter 2, Section 9The fact that Jacob wears the robe signifies that the Word has been clothed by the flesh, while the skins of the kids wrapped around his arms show that he has received in himself all our sins by stretching his hands and arms on the cross, as Isaiah himself has said: "He has borne our sins and carried our diseases."
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 6(Verse 15) And Rebecca took the garments of her elder son Esau, which were greatly desired by him at home. And in this place, the Hebrews tradition holds that the firstborns, who had fulfilled the duties of the priests, had a priestly garment, which they wore to offer sacrifices to God before Aaron was chosen for the priesthood.
Hebrew Questions on GenesisNotice here, I ask you, along with Rebekah's affection, her great wisdom as well. Since it was mentioned previously that one was hairy and the other smooth-skinned, she clad him in Esau's clothing, the text says, and covered his skin, disguising him all over so as to bring off the deception. And after putting the food and bread into Jacob's hands she had him take it to his father.Consider here again, I ask you, how it was all due to grace from above. I mean, whereas we contribute our utmost, we enjoy in generous measure as well cooperation from God. You see, in case we show indifference and prove recalcitrant, he wants us also to make an effort so that in this way our contribution may be demonstrated. It is neither the case that everything is due to help from on high (rather we, too, must contribute something), nor on the other hand does he require everything of us, knowing as he does the extra-ordinary degree of our limitations. On the contrary, out of fidelity to his characteristic love and wishing to find some occasion for demonstrating his own generosity, he awaits the contribution of what we have to offer.
HOMILIES ON GENESIS 53.6-7And she put on his arms the skins of the kids, and on the bare parts of his neck.
καὶ τὰ δέρματα τῶν ἐρίφων περιέθηκεν ἐπὶ τοὺς βραχίονας αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ γυμνὰ τοῦ τραχήλου αὐτοῦ
и҆ ко́жицами козлѧ́чими ѡ҆бложѝ мы̑шцы є҆гѡ̀, и҆ наго́е вы́и є҆гѡ̀:
And she gave the meats, and the loaves which she had prepared, into the hands of Jacob her son.
καὶ ἔδωκε τὰ ἐδέσματα καὶ τοὺς ἄρτους, οὓς ἐποίησεν εἰς τὰς χεῖρας ᾿Ιακὼβ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτῆς.
и҆ дадѐ снѣ̑ди и҆ хлѣ́бы, ꙗ҆̀же сотворѝ, въ рꙋ́цѣ і҆а́кѡвꙋ сы́нꙋ своемꙋ̀.
And he brought [them] to his father, and said, Father; and he said, Behold I [am here]; who art thou, son?
καὶ εἰσήνεγκε τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ. εἶπε δέ· πάτερ. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ ἐγώ· τίς εἶ σὺ τέκνον;
И҆ внесѐ ѻ҆тцꙋ̀ своемꙋ̀ и҆ речѐ: ѻ҆́тче. Ѻ҆́нъ же речѐ: сѐ, а҆́зъ: кто̀ є҆сѝ ты̀, ча́до;
And Jacob said to his father, I, Esau thy first-born, have done as thou toldest me; rise, sit, and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.
καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Ιακὼβ τῷ πατρί· ἐγὼ ῾Ησαῦ ὁ πρωτότοκός σου· πεποίηκα καθὰ ἐλάλησάς μοι· ἀναστὰς κάθισον καὶ φάγε ἀπὸ τῆς θήρας μου, ὅπως εὐλογήσῃ με ἡ ψυχή σου.
И҆ речѐ і҆а́кѡвъ ѻ҆тцꙋ̀: а҆́зъ и҆са́ѵъ пе́рвенецъ тво́й, сотвори́хъ, ꙗ҆́коже ре́клъ мѝ є҆сѝ: воста́въ сѧ́ди и҆ ꙗ҆́ждь ѿ ло́ва моегѡ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ да бл҃гослови́тъ мѧ̀ дꙋша̀ твоѧ̀.
The words of Jacob to his father, "I have done as you told me," demonstrate that the Word is always obedient to his Father, as is confirmed by what he says in Ezekiel: "I did just as I was commanded."
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISSAC AND JACOB 6And Isaac said to his son, What is this which thou hast quickly found? And he said, That which the Lord thy God presented before me.
εἶπε δὲ ᾿Ισαὰκ τῷ υἱῷ αὐτοῦ· τί τοῦτο, ὃ ταχὺ εὗρες, ὦ τέκνον; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· ὃ παρέδωκε Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου ἐναντίον μου.
Рече́ же і҆саа́къ сы́нꙋ своемꙋ̀: что̀ сїѐ, є҆́же ско́рѡ ѡ҆брѣ́лъ є҆сѝ, ѽ ча́до; Ѻ҆́нъ же речѐ: є҆́же дадѐ гдⷭ҇ь бг҃ъ тво́й предо мно́ю.
And Isaac said to Jacob, Draw nigh to me, and I will feel thee, son, if thou art my son Esau or not.
εἶπε δὲ ᾿Ισαὰκ τῷ ᾿Ιακώβ· ἔγγισόν μοι καὶ ψηλαφήσω σε, τέκνον, εἰ σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱός μου ῾Ησαῦ ἢ οὔ.
Рече́ же і҆саа́къ і҆а́кѡвꙋ: прибли́жисѧ ко мнѣ̀, и҆ ѡ҆сѧжꙋ́ тѧ, ча́до, а҆́ще ты̀ є҆сѝ сы́нъ мо́й и҆са́ѵъ, и҆лѝ нѝ.
And Jacob drew nigh to his father Isaac, and he felt him, and said, The voice [is] Jacob's voice, but the hands [are] the hands of Esau.
ἤγγισε δὲ ᾿Ιακὼβ πρὸς ᾿Ισαὰκ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐψηλάφησεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπεν· ἡ μὲν φωνὴ φωνὴ ᾿Ιακώβ, αἱ δὲ χεῖρες χεῖρες ῾Ησαῦ.
Прибли́жисѧ же і҆а́кѡвъ ко і҆саа́кꙋ ѻ҆тцꙋ̀ своемꙋ̀, и҆ ѡ҆сѧза̀ є҆го̀ и҆ речѐ: гла́съ ᲂу҆́бѡ гла́съ і҆а́кѡвль, рꙋ́цѣ же рꙋ́цѣ и҆са́ѵѡвѣ.
This signifies that the Word, who in Jacob prefigured the mysteries, has also become the voice of the prophets, since he is the one who predicts in them what will happen. On the contrary, his hands have become hands of Esau. In fact he [the Word] was executed because of the sins of the people.
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 6And he knew him not, for his hands were as the hands of his brother Esau, hairy; and he blessed him,
καὶ οὐκ ἐπέγνω αὐτόν· ἦσαν γὰρ αἱ χεῖρες αὐτοῦ ὡς αἱ χεῖρες ῾Ησαῦ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ δασεῖαι· καὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτὸν
И҆ не позна̀ є҆гѡ̀: бѣ́стѣ бо рꙋ́цѣ є҆гѡ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ рꙋ́цѣ и҆са́ѵа бра́та є҆гѡ̀ косма̑тѣ. И҆ бл҃гословѝ є҆го̀
and he said, Art thou my son Esau? and he said, I [am].
καὶ εἶπε· σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱός μου ῾Ησαῦ; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· ἐγώ.
и҆ речѐ: ты́ ли є҆сѝ сы́нъ мо́й и҆са́ѵъ; Ѻ҆́нъ же речѐ: а҆́зъ.
And he said, Bring hither, and I will eat of thy venison, son, that my soul may bless thee; and he brought [it] near to him, and he ate, and he brought him wine, and he drank.
καὶ εἶπε· προσάγαγέ μοι, καὶ φάγομαι ἀπὸ τῆς θήρας σου, τέκνον, ἵνα εὐλογήσῃ σε ἡ ψυχή μου. καὶ προσήνεγκεν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔφαγε· καὶ εἰσήνεγκεν αὐτῷ οἶνον, καὶ ἔπιε.
И҆ речѐ: принеси́ ми, и҆ ꙗ҆́мъ ѿ ло́ва твоегѡ̀, ча́до, да бл҃гослови́тъ тѧ̀ дꙋша̀ моѧ̀. И҆ принесѐ є҆мꙋ̀, и҆ ꙗ҆дѐ, и҆ принесѐ є҆мꙋ̀ вїно̀, и҆ пѝ.
Now although this meat is a burden unto the wise and prudent, yet was it given by promise unto Noah, and it was sent unto Elijah in a gift, and Abraham received God and His angels thereby, and Isaac was pleased to pour out blessings upon Jacob thereby, and Samuel offered this gift beforehand to Saul as to a king, and David and all the righteous kings made use of such meat, and it was employed by all the righteous; and they were not blamed therefor, because they were superior to lust. And they did not eat like slaves with lust, but they made use of every thing with authority like free men.
13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On AbstinenceAnd Isaac his father said to him, Draw nigh to me, and kiss me, son.
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ᾿Ισαὰκ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ· ἔγγισόν μοι καὶ φίλησόν με τέκνον.
И҆ речѐ є҆мꙋ̀ і҆саа́къ ѻ҆те́цъ є҆гѡ̀: прибли́жисѧ ко мнѣ̀ и҆ ѡ҆блобыза́й мѧ̀, ча́до.
And he drew nigh and kissed him, and smelled the smell of his garments, and blessed him, and said, Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of an abundant field, which the Lord has blessed.
καὶ ἐγγίσας ἐφίλησεν αὐτόν, καὶ ὠσφράνθη τὴν ὀσμὴν τῶν ἱματίων αὐτοῦ καὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ ὀσμὴ τοῦ υἱοῦ μου ὡς ὀσμὴ ἀγροῦ πλήρους, ὃν εὐλόγησε Κύριος.
И҆ прибли́живсѧ лобыза̀ є҆го̀: и҆ ѡ҆бонѧ̀ воню̀ ри́зъ є҆гѡ̀, и҆ бл҃гословѝ є҆го̀ и҆ речѐ: сѐ, вонѧ̀ сы́на моегѡ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ вонѧ̀ ни́вы и҆спо́лнены, ю҆́же блгⷭ҇вѝ гдⷭ҇ь:
For of him it is written, "Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a plentiful field." He had been made perfect in virtue's every flower and was fragrant with the grace of the holy blessing and of the happiness of heaven. He is indeed the field that the Lord has blessed. [This field is] not the earthly field with its rugged woods and crashing torrents, its swampy, sluggish waters, unproductive grain lands, and barren vineyards, filled with sterile rock and gravel, pockmarked and arid with drought or wet with blood, and choked over with brambles and thorns, but the field of which the church speaks in the Canticle, "I have adjured you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and virtues of the field." This is the field of which the Lord also says, "With me is the beauty of the field." In this field the grape is found that was pressed and poured out blood and washed the world clean. In this field is the fig tree, and beneath it the saints will find rest and be renewed by a good and spiritual grace. In this field is the olive tree fruitful in the overflowing ointment of the Lord's peace. In this field flourish the pomegranate trees that shelter many fruits with the one bulwark of faith and, so to speak, nurture them with the warm embrace of love.
On Jacob and the Blessed Life, Book 2, Chapter 1, Section 3And so Jacob was fragrant with the fragrance of such fruits; he followed God amid dangers and believed that he was safe everywhere, led by the Lord. Although the fragrance of the field is pleasant and sweet because it is a natural fragrance, still there breathed in the holy patriarch the fragrance of grace and virtue. How moderate and restrained he was! He did not claim the food that had been prepared for him but yielded without delay to his brother's request for it and received from him the birthright of the firstborn. How respectful he was toward his parents! Through his mother's love he earned the preference over his elder brother, and through the gift of his father's blessing he was made holy. How respectful of God's commands he was! He refused to do wrong to his brother. How honorable! He resisted practicing deceit upon his father. How respectful! He could not refuse his mother what she ordered.
On Jacob and the Blessed Life, Book 2, Chapter 1, Section 4"He smelled his clothes and said, 'Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of an abundant field, which the Lord has blessed.' " This field is the church. Let's prove that the church is a field. Listen to the apostle telling the faithful: "You are God's tilled field; you are God's building." Not only is the church a field, but also God is the tiller of the field. Listen to the Lord himself: "I am the vine, you the branches, and my Father is the vinedresser." Toiling in this field as a laborer and hoping for an eternal reward, the apostle claims no credit for himself, except a laborer's due. "I planted," he says, "Apollo watered, but God gave the increase. And so neither the one who plants is anything, nor the one who waters, but God who gives the increase." Notice how Paul safeguards humility to make sure of belonging to Jacob, to that field which is the church, and of not losing the robe whose scent was as the smell of an abundant field. He does not pass over to the pride of Esau, materialistic in thought and abounding in arrogance. So the smell of the field comes from the garment of the son. But this field is nothing in itself. That's why he added, "which the Lord has blessed. And the Lord will give you from the dew of heaven above and from the fruitfulness of the earth, and quantities of corn and wine. And nations will serve you, and you shall be lord of your brother, and the sons of your father shall pay you homage. Whoever curses you shall be cursed, and whoever blesses you shall be blessed." That is the blessing of Jacob. If Esau had not been blessed too, there would be no problem. But he is blessed too, not with this blessing, and yet one not altogether different from this one.
SERMON 4.28What advice does Rebekah give? That Jacob should take the skins of the kids and go to his father. The father is expecting the elder and blesses the younger. The Old Testament has the Jews in mind according to its literal meaning, and by the spiritual understanding of it, it is a blessing to Christians. Would your holinesses please concentrate on this great mystery, this great sacrament.Isaac says, "Your brother came with guile" about a man without guile. Isaac undoubtedly knew what was happening since he had the spirit of prophecy, and he himself was acting symbolically. He stakes everything on the sublime truths being symbolically, sacramentally enacted. For if he hadn't known what he was doing, he would surely have been angry with his son for deceiving him. The elder comes and says, "Here, father, eat; I have done just as you ordered me." He says, "Who are you?" He replies, "I am your elder son, Esau." "And who is the one," Isaac says, "at whose hands I have already eaten, and I blessed him, and blessed he shall be?" He seemed to be angry; Esau was expecting from his lips some sort of curse upon his brother. While he is expecting a curse, Isaac confirms the blessing. What splendid anger, what marvelous indignation! But he knew the mystery being enacted. The blindness of his bodily eyes stood for the mental blindness of the Jews. But the eyes of his heart were able to see the sublimity of the mysteries being unfolded.
SERMON 4.21This dew is the influence of the Holy Spirit's grace which visits the Scriptures and in which it is sweetly found. Hence, in Genesis: "The fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field which the Lord has blessed! God give you dew from heaven, and fruitfulness of the earth, abundance of grain and wine." Jacob, that spiritual man, is well learned in the Sacred Scriptures. Out of him comes forth an odor that abounds throughout the Scriptures in their threefold meaning: the grain referring to allegory, the wine to tropology, and the oil to anagogy.
Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 14In fact, these things were not completely fulfilled in Jacob but in Christ and in those who were justified through faith, who were also made sons according to the promise in Isaac. Therefore the meaning of the prophecy will also suit the new people and Christ himself, who is beginning and leading. He is also considered to be a second Adam and was born as a second root of humanity. For that which is in Christ is a new creation, and we are renewed in him to sanctification, incorruption and life. The words of the blessing, I believe, signify the sweetness of the spiritual perfume in Christ, like that of a garden or a plentiful field spreading a sweet and beautiful perfume from its spring flowers. And so Christ described himself to us in the Song of Songs: "I am the flower of the field, the lily of the valleys." He was actually a lily and a rose born of the earth for the sake of humanity. Since he did not know sin, he was the most divine of all those who inhabited the whole world and produced a perfume though his works. For this reason [Scripture] compares Christ with a field blessed by God, and with very good reason, because he is the perfume of the knowledge of God the Father. So again the divine Paul says, "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him." Our Lord Jesus Christ is revealed through the holy apostles like the perfume of the knowledge of God the Father. "If someone knows the Son, he also fully knows the Father," because of the sameness of nature, as in everything he possesses the same things in the same degree.
GLAPHYRA ON GENESIS, 3.5And may God give thee of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, and abundance of corn and wine.
καὶ δῴη σοι ὁ Θεὸς ἀπὸ τῆς δρόσου τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς πιότητος τῆς γῆς καὶ πλῆθος σίτου καὶ οἴνου.
и҆ да да́стъ тебѣ̀ бг҃ъ ѿ росы̀ небе́сныѧ и҆ ѿ тꙋ́ка землѝ, и҆ мно́жество пшени́цы и҆ вїна̀:
These things therefore fit with Christ and also fit quite reasonably with the new people: "May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine." The dew of heaven and the fatness of the earth, that is, the Word, was given to us by the Father, together with the participation through the Spirit, and therefore we were made participants in the divine nature through him. And we also received plenty of grain and wine, that is, strength and happiness. In fact, it is said truly, "Bread strengthens the heart of man, and wine makes glad his heart." Bread is the symbol of spiritual strength, wine of the physical. They are given to those who are in Christ through him. In which other way were we made stable and firm in piety and immovable and aware to think the right things? Certainly the power "to trample serpents and scorpions underfoot and the whole power of the enemy" was given to us. This, I believe, is the meaning of the abundance of grain. But we have also received wine. "We rejoice in hope," and "we have become glad," according to Scripture. We expect heavenly dwellings, an eternal life in incorruption, and to reign together with Christ. Therefore these things may be said about us.
GLAPHYRA ON GENESIS, 3.5If one believes that this blessing was accomplished in Jacob, he is mistaken. Nothing of this ever happened to Jacob. First we find him in Mesopotamia at the service of Laban for twenty years; then he prostrates himself before his brother Esau and tries to make himself pleasing to him by offering presents; after this he goes down to Egypt to avoid starvation with his children. In whom then have the words "Ah, the smell of the clothes of my son is like the smell of a fruitful field that the Lord has blessed" been accomplished? In nobody else but Christ, Son of God. In fact, the field is the world, and the smell of his clothes are all those who believe in him, according to what the apostle says: "We are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life."The words "May God give you of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine" signify clearly the Word, who came down from heaven like dew. The earth is the flesh that he has assumed from the Virgin. Through the words "plenty of grain and wine," the prophet signifies the saints, who are gathered together like the grain in a barn and are justified by the Spirit as by wine.
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 7And let nations serve thee, and princes bow down to thee, and be thou lord of thy brother, and the sons of thy father shall do thee reverence; accursed is he that curses thee, and blessed is he that blesses thee.
καὶ δουλευσάτωσάν σοι ἔθνη, καὶ προσκυνησάτωσάν σοι ἄρχοντες· καὶ γίνου κύριος τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, καὶ προσκυνήσουσί σε οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ πατρός σου. ὁ καταρώμενός σε ἐπικατάρατος, ὁ δὲ εὐλογῶν σε εὐλογημένος.
и҆ да порабо́таютъ тебѣ̀ ꙗ҆зы́цы, и҆ да покло́нѧтсѧ тебѣ̀ кнѧ̑зи, и҆ бꙋ́ди господи́нъ бра́тꙋ твоемꙋ̀, и҆ покло́нѧтсѧ тебѣ̀ сы́нове ѻ҆тца̀ твоегѡ̀: проклина́ѧй тѧ̀ про́клѧтъ, бл҃гословлѧ́ѧй же тѧ̀ бл҃гослове́нъ.
Let peoples serve thee, and let their princes bow down to thee, and be thou Lord over thy brethren, and let thy father's sons bow down to thee; cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be every one that blesseth thee. But we see not all these things accomplished upon Jacob, but see rather that Jacob, having prostrated himself seven times upon the ground, made obeisance to Esau. And thirty kings, sprung from Esau, reigned before ever a king reigned in Israel; so that these blessings await Him who was expected to descend from them, namely, the Lord Christ, whom the whole scope of divine scripture has in view.
The Christian Topography, Book 5Afterward the power of blessing is transferred again to the Immanuel himself. "And let nations serve you, and princes bow down to you, and be lord of your brother." The Immanuel was called "the firstborn" when he became so with reference to us, "among many brothers." But for this reason we must not forget that he is God and the Lord of the universe. We worship him as God, and he has reigned as God over those who are called from the brothers through grace. "Who in the heavens shall be compared to the Lord, and who shall be likened to the Lord among the sons of God?" Therefore the Immanuel has reigned as God over those who were received into the brotherhood, and to him "every knee should bow in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father." And cursed is he who curses, "and blessed is he that blesses." These words are quite clear. Those who curse are detestable and hateful to God; those who bless, that is, who announce his divine glory, are filled with heavenly and divine goods. This is the blessing of Jacob, whose strength refers to the Immanuel himself and to those who are justified in the faith.
GLAPHYRA ON GENESIS, 3.173B-CAnd also the words "Let peoples serve you, and princes bow down to you" have been accomplished now. Whom else do the faithful peoples serve and the princes of the church worship but Christ, in whose name they also receive their salvation? The Word has predicted all this through Isaiah by saying, "My servants shall be called by a new name, which will be blessed on the earth; for they shall bless the true God, and those who swear upon the earth shall swear in the name of the true God." And he adds, "Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall hunger; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall thirst; behold, my servants shall exult with joy, but you shall be ashamed and shall cry for the vexation of your spirit."45Then he continues by saying, "Be lord of your brother, and the sons of your father shall bow to you." But nobody adored Jacob, nor did he become lord of his brother Esau; on the contrary, he ran away from him in a fright and was the first to adore him, for seven times. Therefore the words of Isaac have been accomplished in the Savior: He has become lord and master of those who are considered to be his brothers by the flesh, in order to be adored by them as their king. That is why Isaac says, "Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you."
THE BLESSINGS OF THE PATRIARCHS 7And it came to pass after Isaac had ceased blessing his son Jacob, it even came to pass, just when Jacob had gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
Καὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ τὸ παύσασθαι ᾿Ισαὰκ εὐλογοῦντα ᾿Ιακὼβ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐγένετο, ὡς ἐξῆλθεν ᾿Ιακὼβ ἀπὸ προσώπου ᾿Ισαὰκ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ῾Ησαῦ ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ ἦλθεν ἀπὸ τῆς θήρας.
И҆ бы́сть по є҆́же преста́ти і҆саа́кꙋ бл҃гословлѧ́ющꙋ і҆а́кѡва сы́на своего̀: и҆ бы́сть є҆гда̀ и҆зы́де і҆а́кѡвъ ѿ лица̀ і҆саа́ка ѻ҆тца̀ своегѡ̀, и҆ и҆са́ѵъ бра́тъ є҆гѡ̀ прїи́де съ лови́твы.
Afterward, when the blessing had been pronounced, the elder brother arrived. By this it is revealed that the kingdom was predestined to be bestowed on the church rather than on the synagogue but had secretly entered the synagogue so that sin might abound, and, when sin had abounded, that grace might also abound. At the same time, it would be clear that the candidate for the kingdom of heaven must be quick to carry off the blessing and to appropriate the prerogative for which he has been recommended. On this account the younger son was not blamed by his father but praised, for Isaac says, "Your brother came deceitfully and received your blessing." For deceit is good when the plunder is without reproach. Now the plunder of piety is without reproach, because "from the days of John the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent bear it away." Our fathers celebrated the Passover in haste and ate the lamb in haste, not making delay, and the holy Joseph summoned his brother Benjamin by a holy fabrication and deceit.
On Jacob and the Blessed Life, Book 2, Chapter 3, Section 10The other one, you see, comes along in the evening, and brings what his father ordered, and finds his brother has been blessed instead of himself and is not blessed with a second blessing. Because those two men were two peoples. One blessing signifies the unity of the church. But they are two peoples.… But the two peoples who belong to Jacob are represented in other ways. You see, our Lord Jesus Christ, who had come to Jews and Gentiles, was repudiated by the Jews, who belonged to the elder son. However, he chose some of them who belonged to the younger son, who had begun to desire and understand the Lord's promises, not taking that land they desired materialistically but spiritually desiring that city where no one is materially born, because in it no one either materially or spiritually dies.
SERMON 4.17And he also had made meats and brought them to his father; and he said to his father, Let my father arise and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.
καὶ ἐποίησε καὶ αὐτὸς ἐδέσματα καὶ προσήνεγκε τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ. καὶ εἶπε τῷ πατρί· ἀναστήτω ὁ πατήρ μου καὶ φαγέτω ἀπὸ τῆς θήρας τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, ὅπως εὐλογήσῃ με ἡ ψυχή σου.
Сотвори́ же и҆ то́й снѣ̑ди и҆ принесѐ ѻ҆тцꙋ̀ своемꙋ̀, и҆ речѐ ѻ҆тцꙋ̀: да воста́нетъ ѻ҆те́цъ мо́й, и҆ да ꙗ҆́стъ ѿ ло́ва сы́на своегѡ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ да бл҃гослови́тъ мѧ̀ дꙋша̀ твоѧ̀.
The dishes of Esau signify the cult of the people under the law. Since they are inflated with pride and are certain of being justified by circumcision, they offer the pagan converts as nourishment, whereas they themselves need nourishment because they cannot touch the heavenly bread.
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 8And Isaac his father said to him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy first-born son Esau.
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ᾿Ισαὰκ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ· τίς εἶ σύ; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ υἱός σου ὁ πρωτότοκος ῾Ησαῦ.
И҆ речѐ є҆мꙋ̀ і҆саа́къ ѻ҆те́цъ є҆гѡ̀: кто̀ є҆сѝ ты̀; Ѻ҆́нъ же речѐ: а҆́зъ є҆́смь сы́нъ тво́й пе́рвенецъ и҆са́ѵъ.
And Isaac was amazed with very great amazement, and said, Who then is it that has procured venison for me and brought it to me? and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed.
ἐξέστη δὲ ᾿Ισαὰκ ἔκστασιν μεγάλην σφόδρα καὶ εἶπε· τίς οὖν ὁ θηρεύσας μοι θήραν καὶ εἰσενέγκας μοι; καὶ ἔφαγον ἀπὸ πάντων πρὸ τοῦ ἐλθεῖν σε καὶ εὐλόγησα αὐτόν, καὶ εὐλογημένος ἔσται.
Оу҆жасе́сѧ же і҆саа́къ ᲂу҆́жасомъ ве́лїимъ ѕѣлѡ̀ и҆ речѐ: кто̀ ᲂу҆̀бо ᲂу҆лови́вый мнѣ̀ ло́въ и҆ принесы́й мѝ; и҆ ꙗ҆до́хъ ѿ всѣ́хъ, пре́жде не́же прїитѝ тебѣ̀, и҆ бл҃гослови́хъ є҆го̀, и҆ бл҃гослове́нъ бꙋ́детъ.
What had actually occurred from the action of Jacob was a mystery of the [divine] economy in view of the Christ prefigured [by Jacob], [of the Christ] who, blessed by the Father, has been blessed forever after his [temporal] birth.The words of Scripture, "Besides himself, Isaac was seized with great amazement," have the same meaning as "Isaac was filled with admiration" for what had happened, because he foresaw that the Gentiles, according to the will of God, had to be blessed and take part in the covenant of the promise made to the fathers through the younger son. That is why Jacob, when he was brought forth and emerged the last from his mother's womb, took hold on Esau's heel. This means that by closely following the footsteps of the prophets the last peoples had to take hold of the right of primogeniture, since they are the first ones to be found in the New Testament.
ON THE BLESSINGS OF THE ISAAC AND JACOB 8And it came to pass when Esau heard the words of his father Isaac, he cried out with a great and very bitter cry, and said, Bless, I pray thee, me also, father.
ἐγένετο δέ, ἡνίκα ἤκουσεν ῾Ησαῦ τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ ᾿Ισαάκ, ἀνεβόησε φωνὴν μεγάλην καὶ πικρὰν σφόδρα καὶ εἶπεν· εὐλόγησον δή κἀμέ, πάτερ.
Бы́сть же є҆гда̀ ᲂу҆слы́ша и҆са́ѵъ глаго́лы ѻ҆тца̀ своегѡ̀ і҆саа́ка, возопѝ гла́сомъ ве́лїимъ и҆ го́рькимъ ѕѣлѡ̀, и҆ речѐ: бл҃гословѝ ᲂу҆́бѡ и҆ менѐ, ѻ҆́тче.
And Esau cried out and wailed bitterly, not because he lost his spiritual blessings but because he was now deprived of the bountiful produce of the blessed earth. [Esau wept] not because he was no longer able to be righteous but because he would not be able to make his brother his servant; not because he would not inherit eternal life but because the land of the Canaanites would not be his portion. Since Esau had such spite for his brother that he wished to kill him, Rebekah persuaded Jacob to go to the house of Laban lest they kill each other in their strife, and she became bereft of both of them at the same time.
COMMENTARY ON GENESIS 25:3And he said to him, Thy brother has come with subtlety, and taken thy blessing.
εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ· ἐλθὼν ὁ ἀδελφός σου μετὰ δόλου ἔλαβε τὴν εὐλογίαν σου.
Рече́ же є҆мꙋ̀: прише́дъ бра́тъ тво́й съ ле́стїю, взѧ̀ бл҃гослове́нїе твоѐ.
So what can it mean when it says, "Your brother came with guile and stole the blessing"?… So what can it mean when it says, "He came along with guile and stole the blessing"?First of all, let us note what guile means, and so see what Jacob ought to do. He is bearing the sins of others, and he is bearing them patiently although they are other people's. That is what it means to have the skins of the kids on him; he is bearing the sins of others, not clinging to his own. In this way all those who put up with the sins of others for the sake of unity in the church are imitating Jacob. Because Jacob too is in Christ, inasmuch as Christ is in the seed of Abraham; as it was said, "In your seed shall all the nations be blessed." So our Lord Jesus Christ, who committed no sin, bore the sins of others. And will those whose sins have been forgiven disdain to bear the sins of others? So if Jacob turns into Christ, he bears the sins of others—that, is the skins of the kids. And where is the guile in that?
SERMON 4.15-16What then is guile? Guile is when one thing is done and another pretended. When there is one thing in intention and another in deeds, it is called guile. So guile in the proper sense is reprehensible, just like rock in the proper sense. If you said Christ was a rock in the proper sense, it would be a blasphemy, just as if you said Christ was a calf in the proper sense it would be blasphemy. In the proper sense a calf is a beast; in the figurative sense it is a victim in a sacrifice. In the proper sense a stone is compacted earth; in the figurative sense it is firmness. Guile in the proper sense is deceit; in the figurative sense.… Every figurative and allegorical text or utterance seems to mean one thing materially and to suggest another thing spiritually. So he called this figurative sense by the name of guile. At long last then, what does it mean, "He came with guile and stole your blessing"? The reason it says "He came with guile" is that what was being done had a figurative sense. Isaac, after all, would not have confirmed the blessing on a guileful, deceitful man who more justly would deserve a curse. So it wasn't a case of real guile, especially since he did not in fact lie when he said, "I am your elder son Esau." For that one had already made a bargain with his brother and sold him his rights as firstborn. So he told his father that he had what he had bought from his brother; what that one had lost had passed to this one. The title of firstborn had not been eliminated from Isaac's household. The title of firstborn was still here—but not with the one who had sold it. Where else was it but with the younger brother? Because he knew the symbolic mystery in all this, Isaac confirmed the blessing and said to this other son, "What am I to do for you?" He answered, "Bless me too, father; you do not only have one blessing." But Isaac knew only of one.
SERMON 4.23The fact that he says to him, "Your brother came by trickery and took away your blessing" means, in a way that implies a mystery, that the Word of God, after his incarnation, had to take the form of a slave. [Thus] thanks to him who was unknown in his generation, he might receive the blessing of the Father and transmit it to us, who believe in him.
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 8And he said, Rightly was his name called Jacob, for lo! this second time has he supplanted me; he has both taken my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing; and Esau said to his father, Hast thou not left a blessing for me, father?
καὶ εἶπε· δικαίως ἐκλήθη τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιακώβ· ἐπτέρνικε γάρ με ἰδοὺ δεύτερον τοῦτο· τά τε πρωτοτόκιά μου εἴληφε καὶ νῦν ἔλαβε τὴν εὐλογίαν μου· καὶ εἶπεν ῾Ησαῦ τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ· οὐχ ὑπελίπου μοι εὐλογίαν, πάτερ;
И҆ речѐ (и҆са́ѵъ): пра́веднѡ нарече́сѧ и҆́мѧ є҆мꙋ̀ і҆а́кѡвъ: запѧ́ бо мѧ̀ сѐ ᲂу҆жѐ втори́цею, и҆ пе́рвенство моѐ взѧ̀, и҆ нн҃ѣ взѧ̀ бл҃гослове́нїе моѐ. И҆ речѐ и҆са́ѵъ ѻ҆тцꙋ̀ своемꙋ̀: не ѡ҆ста́вилъ ли є҆сѝ (и҆) мнѣ̀ бл҃гослове́нїѧ, ѻ҆́тче;
"And Esau said, 'Rightly is his name called Jacob.' " Tripping up is what Jacob means. And not even tripping up is empty of meaning, because it is to be taken figuratively, like guile. Jacob, you see, was not yet so malicious as to plan to trip his brother up, when he was given his name. He was called a tripper-up when as his brother was being born he held his foot with his own hand. That is when he was called "Tripper-up." Now tripping up the materialistically minded is the very life of the spiritually minded. All the materialists are tripped up when they envy the spiritual people in the church, and they thereby become worse. Listen to the apostle saying this very thing, especially because he there mentions the smell that Isaac talked about here, saying, "Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of an abundant field, which the Lord has blessed." So the apostle says, "We are the sweet smell of Christ in every place," and he says, "For some indeed the smell of life, for life; for the others the smell of death, for death. And for this who is sufficient?" Sufficient, that is, to understand how we can be the smell of death for the death of other people, without any fault of ours. Spiritual people walk their ways, knowing nothing except how to live a good life. And those who are spiteful about their innocent lives commit grave sins, which is why God will punish them. And thus a person who is a sweet smell for life to others becomes to them a smell for death. For the Lord himself was the first to become a sweet smell for life to believers and a bad smell for death to persecutors. Because so many people had believed him, the Jews were full of spite and committed that enormous crime of killing the innocent one, the saint of saints. If they had not done this, the sweet smell of Christ would not have meant death for them. So Esau was tripped up in his father's blessing.
SERMON 4.28(Verse 36.) And Esau said, rightly is his name called Jacob: for he hath supplanted me these two times. Jacob is interpreted supplanter. And therefore, because he had deceived his brother by art, he alluded to the name. Therefore, he was called Jacob before, because he had taken hold of his brother's heel in his birth.
Hebrew Questions on GenesisNow this is the first lust which conquered the world, and because of it the first transgression of the law took place. It dismissed from Esau his birthright and his blessings. For the lust of the belly is the captain of the host of the left side, and to it are fettered all the hosts of sin, and as captains of hosts go forth to war at the head of their companies against the enemy, even so also doth it, as the captain of the host of all wickedness, go forth to war against that which is good.
13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On AbstinenceAnd Isaac answered and said to Esau, If I have made him thy lord, and have made all his brethren his servants, and have strengthened him with corn and wine, what then shall I do for thee, son?
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ᾿Ισαὰκ εἶπε τῷ ῾Ησαῦ· εἰ κύριον αὐτὸν πεποίηκά σου καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἀδελφούς αὐτοῦ πεποίηκα αὐτοῦ οἰκέτας, σίτῳ καὶ οἴνῳ ἐστήριξα αὐτόν, σοὶ δὲ τί ποιήσω, τέκνον;
Ѿвѣща́въ же і҆саа́къ, речѐ и҆са́ѵꙋ: а҆́ще господи́на є҆го̀ сотвори́хъ тебѣ̀, и҆ всю̀ бра́тїю є҆гѡ̀ сотвори́хъ рабы̑ є҆мꙋ̀, пшени́цею и҆ вїно́мъ ᲂу҆тверди́хъ є҆го̀: тебѣ́ же что̀ сотворю̀, ча́до;
And Esau said to his father, Hast thou [only] one blessing, father? Bless, I pray thee, me also, father. And Isaac being troubled, Esau cried aloud and wept.
εἶπε δὲ ῾Ησαῦ πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· μὴ εὐλογία μία σοί ἐστι, πάτερ; εὐλόγησον δὴ κἀμέ, πάτερ. κατανυχθέντος δὲ ᾿Ισαὰκ ἀνεβόησε φωνῇ ῾Ησαῦ καὶ ἔκλαυσεν.
Рече́ же и҆са́ѵъ ко ѻ҆тцꙋ̀ своемꙋ̀: є҆да̀ є҆ди́но є҆́сть бл҃гослове́нїе ᲂу҆ тебє̀, ѻ҆́тче; бл҃гословѝ ᲂу҆́бѡ и҆ менѐ, ѻ҆́тче. Оу҆мили́вшꙋсѧ же і҆саа́кꙋ, возопѝ гла́сомъ ве́лїимъ и҆са́ѵъ и҆ воспла́касѧ.
And Isaac his father answered and said to him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above.
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ᾿Ισαὰκ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἰδοὺ ἀπὸ τῆς πιότητος τῆς γῆς ἔσται ἡ κατοίκησίς σου καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς δρόσου τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἄνωθεν.
Ѿвѣща́въ же і҆саа́къ ѻ҆те́цъ є҆гѡ̀, речѐ є҆мꙋ̀: сѐ, ѿ тꙋ́ка землѝ бꙋ́детъ вселе́нїе твоѐ, и҆ ѿ росы̀ небе́сныѧ свы́ше:
But why was it after being "roughly handled" that Isaac gave his blessing? For in the last resort what Isaac said to Esau was spoken under constraint and force: "Behold, your dwelling will be by the fruitfulness of the earth and by the dew of heaven." And in case you should imagine yourself for that reason to be good—"You shall live by your sword and be servant to your brother." But in order that you shouldn't despair of yourself, since you can after all correct yourself—"But the time will come when you will put off and undo the yoke from your neck." There you are, he will receive of the fruitfulness of the earth and of the dew of heaven. But when Isaac is roughly handled, he throws this blessing at him. He does not give it to him. Doesn't it happen now in the church with evil people who want to cause trouble in the church that they are tolerated for the sake of peace, that they are admitted to share in the common sacraments? And sometimes it is public knowledge that they are evil, but for some reason or other they cannot be convicted of it. No proof or conviction can be obtained so that they may be corrected and removed from office, excluded, excommunicated. If someone presses charges, it sometimes comes to the disruption of the church. The church leader is forced in effect to say, "Here you are with the fruitfulness of the earth and the dew of heaven; make use of the sacraments; you are eating judgment to yourself, you are drinking judgment to yourself. "Whoever eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks judgment to himself." "You know that you are being admitted to the sacraments for the sake of the peace of the church; all you have at heart is stirring up trouble and causing divisions. That is why you will live by the sword. For as to what you receive from the dew of heaven and the fruitfulness of the earth, you won't live by that. That gives you no delight; you do not see that the Lord is sweet. If this did give you delight, if you did find the Lord sweet, you would imitate the Lord's humility instead of the devil's pride." So although he receives the mystery of the Lord's humility from the dew of heaven and the fruitfulness of the earth, he does not set aside the pride of the devil (may I have nothing to do with him!) who always takes pleasure in quarrels and dissension. "Yes, you may have this communion in the dew of heaven and the fruitfulness of the earth, but all the same you are living by your sword, and either rejoicing in the quarrels and dissension, or being scared out of your wits by them. So change yourself, and take the yoke from your neck."
SERMON 4.35Are the words spoken there by the blessed Isaac meant either as a blessing or as a prophecy? It is necessary to understand the previous statement. This is what he says: "By the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be, and by the dew of heaven above." In fact, it happens that the people settled down in the land of the Canaanites, which they shared with Joshua, son of Nun. And the words of Isaac "and by the dew of heaven above" signify that the prophets, like a cloud, left them soaked in dew after revealing to them the oracles of God.
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 10And thou shalt live by thy sword, and shalt serve thy brother; and there shall be [a time] when thou shalt break and loosen his yoke from off thy neck.
καὶ ἐπὶ τῇ μαχαίρᾳ σου ζήσῃ καὶ τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου δουλεύσεις· ἔσται δὲ ἡνίκα ἐὰν καθέλῃς, καὶ ἐκλύσῃς τὸν ζυγὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ τραχήλου σου.
и҆ мече́мъ твои́мъ жи́ти бꙋ́деши, и҆ бра́тꙋ твоемꙋ̀ порабо́таеши: бꙋ́детъ же (вре́мѧ) є҆гда̀ низложи́ши и҆ ѿрѣши́ши ꙗ҆ре́мъ є҆гѡ̀ ѿ вы́и твоеѧ̀.
Nevertheless Esau brought it about by his demands and entreaties that he did receive a blessing but such a blessing as was in agreement and correspondence with the earlier one, namely, that he should serve his brother. Indeed, the one who could not command and rule the other ought to have served him, in order to be ruled by the one who was wiser. It was not the role of the holy patriarch to deliver his own son to the ignoble state of slavery. But since he had two sons, one without moderation and the other moderate and wise, in order to take care for both like a good father, he placed the moderate son over the immediate one, and he ordered the foolish one to obey the one who was wise. For the foolish man cannot of his own accord be a disciple of virtue or persevere in his intent, because the fool changes like the moon. Isaac was right to deny Esau freedom to make his own choices; else he might drift like a ship in the waves without a helmsman. But Isaac made him subject to his brother according to that which is written, "The unwise man is the slave of the wise man." Therefore the patriarch was right to make him subject, so that he might amend his dispositions under rule and guidance. And so Isaac says, "By your sword shall you live; you shall serve your brother," for holiness has mastery over cruelty and kindness excels over emotions that are harsh.
On Jacob and the Blessed Life, Book 2, Chapter 3, Section 11Everyone who does not possess the authority conferred by a clear conscience is a slave; whoever is crushed by fear or ensnared by pleasure or seduced by desires or provoked by wrath or felled by grief is a slave. In fact, every passion is servile, because "everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin," and, what is worse, he is the slave of many sins. The person who is subject to vices has sold himself to many masters, so that he is scarcely permitted to go out of servitude. But take the one who is the master over his own will, judge over his counsels, agent of his judgment, the man who restrains the longing of his bodily passions and does well what he does. (Note that by acting well he acts rightly, and one who acts rightly acts without blame or reproach because he has power over his actions.) Such a person is assuredly free. For the one who does all things wisely and in complete accord with his will is the only free man. It is not accidental status that makes the slave but shameful and foolish conduct. Indeed, the wise servant rules the foolish master, and "their own servants will lend to the masters." What will they lend? Not money, surely, but wisdom, just as the law also says, "You will lend to many nations and will not borrow." For the Jew lent to the proselyte the prophecies of God's law.
On Jacob and the Blessed Life, Book 2, Chapter 3, Section 12This then is what the patriarch Isaac says, "You shall serve your brother. But the time will be, when you shall shake off and loose his yoke from your neck." He means that there will be two peoples, one the son of the slave girl, the other of the free woman—for the letter is a slave, whereas grace is free16—and that the people that attends to the letter is going to be a slave as long as it needs to follow the expounder of learning in the spirit. Then that will also come to pass which the apostle says, "that the remnant may be saved by reason of the election made by grace." "You shall serve your brother," but then you will perceive your advancement in servitude only when you begin to obey your brother voluntarily and not under compulsion.
On Jacob and the Blessed Life, Book 2, Chapter 3, Section 13And the words: "You shall live by your sword" mean that the people never stop being in defensive or aggressive war with the nations living around them, as Scripture itself shows. And the sentence "You shall be the servant of your brother" indicates the age that still continues, the age in which the Savior was present and came to visit his own brothers according to the flesh, and the Savior the prophet here suggests to serve after humanity has become obedient. That is why he said: "There will come a time when you shall shake and break the yoke from your neck." Which yoke, but the yoke that lies in the law? Provided that they do not live any more as slaves under the yoke of the law but believe in the gospel as free men, they can still be saved.
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 10(Verse 40.) And you shall serve your brother, and it shall come to pass when you shall have removed it, and shall have taken away his yoke from your neck. This signifies that the Edomites will serve the Jews, and that a time will come when they shall throw off the yoke of servitude from their neck and resist their dominion. However, according to the Seventy Interpreters, who said: 'But it shall come to pass when you shall have removed it, and shall have taken away his yoke from your neck,' it seems that the decision is uncertain and not yet complete.
Hebrew Questions on GenesisAnd Esau was angry with Jacob because of the blessing, with which his father blessed him; and Esau said in his mind, Let the days of my father's mourning draw nigh, that I may slay my brother Jacob.
Καὶ ἐνεκότει ῾Ησαῦ τῷ ᾿Ιακὼβ περὶ τῆς εὐλογίας ἧς εὐλόγησεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ· εἶπε δὲ ῾Ησαῦ ἐν τῇ διανοίᾳ αὐτοῦ· ἐγγισάτωσαν αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ πένθους τοῦ πατρός μου, ἵνα ἀποκτείνω ᾿Ιακὼβ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου.
И҆ враждова́ше и҆са́ѵъ на і҆а́кѡва ѡ҆ бл҃гослове́нїи, и҆́мже бл҃гословѝ є҆го̀ ѻ҆те́цъ є҆гѡ̀. Рече́ же и҆са́ѵъ во ᲂу҆мѣ̀ свое́мъ: да прибли́жатсѧ дні́е пла́ча ѻ҆тца̀ моегѡ̀, да бы́хъ ᲂу҆би́лъ і҆а́кѡва бра́та моего̀.
But we shouldn't leave his parents without excuse for having preferred their younger son to the elder. At the same time we must take care so that no one, in turning to their example, would make an unfair judgment between his sons or suppose that he should love the one and esteem the other less. From this line of conduct fraternal hatreds are aroused and the crime of fratricide is contrived to gain a worthless sum of money. Let children be nurtured with an equal measure of devotion. Granted that one's love may fasten more upon some trait in a child who is more agreeable or similar to oneself, the exercise of justice ought to be the same in regard to all. The more that is given to the child that is loved and who seeks his brother's love, the more is taken away from the one who is burdened with jealousy at the unfair preferment. Esau threatened that he would kill his brother. Neither the fact of brotherhood nor respect for their parents kept him from his fratricidal madness, and he grieved that the blessing had been snatched away from him, whereas he should have proved himself worthy of it by forbearance rather than by crime.However, Rebekah did not prefer one son to another son but a just son to an unjust one. And indeed, with that pious mother, God's mysterious plan was more important than her offspring. She did not so much prefer Jacob to his brother; rather, she offered him to the Lord, for she knew that he could protect the gift that the Lord had bestowed. In the Lord she took counsel also for her other son; she withdrew him from God's disfavor, lest he incur graver culpability if he lost the grace of the blessing he did receive.
On Jacob and the Blessed Life, Book 2, Chapter 2, Sections 5-6Every kind of honour and happiness was bestowed upon you, and then was fulfilled that which is written, "My beloved ate and drank, and was enlarged and became fat, and kicked." [Deuteronomy 32:15] Hence flowed emulation and envy, strife and sedition, persecution and disorder, war and captivity. So the worthless rose up against the honoured, those of no reputation against such as were renowned, the foolish against the wise, the young against those advanced in years. For this reason righteousness and peace are now far departed from you, inasmuch as every one abandons the fear of God, and has become blind in His faith, neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian, but walks after his own wicked lusts, resuming the practice of an unrighteous and ungodly envy, by which death itself entered into the world. [Wisdom 2:24]
For thus it is written: "And it came to pass after certain days, that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God; and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of the fat thereof. And God had respect to Abel and to his offerings, but Cain and his sacrifices He did not regard. And Cain was deeply grieved, and his countenance fell. And God said to Cain, Why are you grieved, and why is your countenance fallen? If you offer rightly, but do not divide rightly, have you not sinned? Be at peace: your offering returns to yourself, and you shall again possess it. And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field. And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him." [Genesis 4:3-8] You see, brethren, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob fled from the face of Esau his brother [Genesis 27:41-45]. Envy made Joseph be persecuted unto death, and to come into bondage. [Genesis 37:18-28] Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard these words from his fellow-countryman, "Who made you a judge or a ruler over us? Will you kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" [Exodus 2:14] On account of envy, Aaron and Miriam had to make their abode without the camp. [Numbers 12:14-15] Envy brought down Dathan and Abiram alive to Hades, through the sedition which they excited against God's servant Moses. [Numbers 16:33] Through envy, David not only underwent the hatred of foreigners, but was also persecuted by Saul king of Israel. [1 Samuel 21:10-15]
Clement's First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapters 3-4
Proverbs 19.16-25
§ 95
He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.
ὃς φυλάσσει ἐντολήν, τηρεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν, ὁ δὲ καταφρονῶν τῶν ἑαυτοῦ ὁδῶν ἀπολεῖται.
И҆́же храни́тъ за́пѡвѣди, соблюда́етъ свою̀ дꙋ́шꙋ, а҆ нерадѧ́й ѡ҆ свои́хъ пꙋте́хъ поги́бнетъ.
He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.
δανείζει Θεῷ ὁ ἐλεῶν πτωχόν, κατὰ δὲ τὸ δόμα αὐτοῦ ἀνταποδώσει αὐτῷ.
Ми́лꙋѧй ни́ща взаи́мъ дае́тъ бг҃ови, по даѧ́нїю же є҆гѡ̀ возда́стсѧ є҆мꙋ̀.
If you help a poor person in the Name of the Lord, you are making a gift and at the same time granting a loan. You are making a gift because you have no expectation of being reimbursed by that poor person. You are granting a loan because the Lord will settle the account. It is not much that the Lord receives by means of the poor, but He will pay a great deal on their behalf.
"He who has mercy on the poor lends to the Lord," etc. The Lord himself proves the truth of this statement, when he predicts that he will say to those who give alms: "Insofar as you did it to one of these least of my brethren, you did it to me" (Matt. XXV). "Discipline your son, lest you despair; but do not set your heart on putting him to death." Be diligent in chastising any subject whom you see erring. But if he refuses correction, act towards him with such caution and temperance that he may find nothing in your words or actions wherewith he might sin more. The following also supports this sense:
Commentary on ProverbsIf a trustworthy man said to you, Give me one gold coin, and I will repay you one hundred solid gold coins, would you not gladly give him the one in order that you might receive the hundred? Now the God of heaven and earth says to you, "He who has compassion on the poor lends to God"; moreover, "As long as you did it for one of the least of these, you did it for me"; and in the Psalms, "Well for the man who is gracious and lends." How much more, then, should you lend to God on earth, in order that you may receive a manifold return in eternal life? Then you will deserve to come before the tribunal of the eternal judge in the sight of the angels and can say with assurance and a clear conscience, Give, Lord, because I have given; have mercy because I have shown mercy.
SERMON 158:6The lesson, therefore, which he teaches us is love for the poor, which is precious in the sight of God. Do you feel pleasure in being praised when you have any friends or relatives feasting with you? I tell you of something far better: angels shall praise your bounty, and the rational powers above, and holy men as well; and he too shall accept it who transcends all, and who loves mercy and is kind. Lend to him fearing nothing, and you will receive with interest whatever you gave, for "he," it says, "who has pity on the poor lends unto God."
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 103Let us lend to God almsgiving so we may receive from him clemency in exchange. Oh, how wise is this statement! "Whoever has mercy upon the poor lends to God." Why did he not say, "Whoever has mercy upon the poor gives to God" instead of "lends"? Scripture recognizes our greediness; it understood that our insatiate desire, which looks longingly toward greediness, asks for an excess. This is why it did not say simply, "Whoever has mercy upon the poor gives to God," so you may not think that the recompense will be customary; rather, it said, "Whoever has mercy upon the poor lends to God." Since God borrows from us, then, he is our debtor. How do we want to have him, as judge or debtor? The debtor is ashamed before his lender; the judge does not put to shame the one who borrows.
HOMILIES ON REPENTANCE AND ALMSGIVING 7:6.23Chasten thy son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness.
παίδευε υἱόν σου, οὕτως γὰρ ἔσται εὔελπις, εἰς δὲ ὕβριν μὴ ἐπαίρου τῇ ψυχῇ σου.
Наказꙋ́й сы́на твоего̀, та́кѡ бо бꙋ́детъ благонаде́женъ: въ досажде́нїе же не взе́млисѧ дꙋше́ю твое́ю.
"He who is patient will sustain loss," etc. For if provoked by the hardness of the opposing brother, whom you began to teach, you fall into the vice of impatience, you indeed incur the loss of your own virtue. And when by scolding him too harshly, you snatch away the hope of obtaining salvation and fulfilling repentance that he had, you will give an account for having scandalized your brother to the strict judge. The sense of the text is clear, because he who by impatience serves the theft of poverty or robbery, causes harm to his own soul, and when he takes the property of his neighbor; and if not to man through this, surely he will have to give an account to the eternal judge. Hence another version has translated this verse as: A man thinking evil will be afflicted with much loss; and if he is pernicious, he will also add his soul, because evidently, when he violently takes away money, he will unwillingly give his life for it.
Commentary on ProverbsA malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.
κακόφρων ἀνὴρ πολλὰ ζημιωθήσεται· ἐὰν δὲ λοιμεύηται, καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ προσθήσει.
Ѕлоꙋ́менъ мꙋ́жъ мно́гѡ ѡ҆тщети́тсѧ: а҆́ще же гꙋби́тель є҆́сть, и҆ дꙋ́шꙋ свою̀ приложи́тъ.
Hear, son, the instruction of thy father, that thou mayest be wise at thy latter end.
ἄκουε, υἱέ, παιδείαν πατρός σου, ἵνα σοφὸς γένῃ ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων σου.
Слꙋ́шай, сы́не, ѻ҆тца̀ твоегѡ̀ наказа́нїѧ, да мꙋ́дръ бꙋ́деши въ послѣ̑днѧѧ твоѧ̑.
[There are] many thoughts in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.
πολλοὶ λογισμοὶ ἐν καρδίᾳ ἀνδρός, ἡ δὲ βουλὴ τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα μένει.
Мнѡ́ги мы̑сли въ се́рдцы мꙋ́жа: совѣ́тъ же гдⷭ҇ень во вѣ́къ пребыва́етъ.
What lies hidden in the designs of God I confess I do not know—I am only a man—but this I know with full certainty, that, whatever it is, it is more just, more wise, and more solidly based on incomparable perfection than all the judgments of people.
LETTER 104Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.
καρπὸς ἀνδρὶ ἐλεημοσύνη, κρείσσων δὲ πτωχὸς δίκαιος ἢ πλούσιος ψεύστης.
Пло́дъ мꙋ́жеви ми́лостынѧ: лꙋ́чше же ни́щь првⷣный, не́жели бога́тъ лжи́въ.
A needy man is merciful. He calls the needy humble, who continually remembers that he is in need of eternal goods. Such a one, so that he may obtain mercy from the Lord, never refuses to show mercy to his neighbor. About whom he subsequently adds:
Commentary on ProverbsAnd a poor man is better than a lying man. Indeed, better is the humble in heart, who trusts nothing in his own works, than he who, by the excellence of virtues, considering himself worthy of the name of man, is deceived; unaware that while he transfers the glory of God to himself, by pride he loses the goods he has done.
Commentary on ProverbsThe fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.
φόβος Κυρίου εἰς ζωὴν ἀνδρί, ὁ δὲ ἄφοβος αὐλισθήσεται ἐν τόποις, οὗ οὐκ ἐπισκοπεῖται γνῶσις.
Стра́хъ гдⷭ҇ень въ живо́тъ мꙋ́жеви: а҆ безстра́шный водвори́тсѧ на мѣ́стѣхъ, и҆дѣ́же не наблюда́етсѧ ра́зꙋмъ.
He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up to his mouth.
ὁ ἐγκρύπτων εἰς τὸν κόλπον αὐτοῦ χεῖρας ἀδίκως, οὐδὲ τῷ στόματι οὐ μὴ προσαγάγῃ αὐτάς.
Скрыва́ѧй въ нѣ́дрѣхъ рꙋ́цѣ своѝ непра́веднѡ нижѐ ко ᲂу҆стѡ́мъ свои̑мъ принесе́тъ ѧ҆̀.
The slothful man hides his hand under his armpit, etc. No one is so slothful that he considers it labor to bring his hand to his mouth while eating. But for the slothful, it is labor to bring the hand to the mouth, for a lazy preacher does not even want to do what he says. To bring hand to mouth, indeed, means to align actions with words. A false witness mocks judgment, namely, that which is said, "You shall not bear false witness." Or certainly the future judgment, of which it is said above, "A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he who speaks lies shall perish; and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity." As a hungry man desires to be filled with food, so the wicked eagerly seek to be satisfied with the excuse of iniquity.
Commentary on ProverbsWhen a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.
λοιμοῦ μαστιγουμένου, ἄφρων πανουργότερος γίνεται· ἐὰν δὲ ἐλέγχῃς ἄνδρα φρόνιμον, νοήσει αἴσθησιν.
Гꙋби́телю ра̑ны прїе́млющꙋ, безꙋ́мный кова́рнѣе бꙋ́детъ: а҆́ще же ѡ҆блича́еши мꙋ́жа разꙋ́мна, ᲂу҆разꙋмѣ́етъ чꙋ́вство.
If you want to take Scripture as a witness that sinners are punished for the education of others, even if those unabashed may be beyond treatment, hear Solomon in the Proverbs who says, "When a pest is being whipped, the fool will be more astute." He did not say that he who is being whipped will be more astute and more sensible through the whips, but he said that the fool will change from foolishness into common sense through whips employed on the pest. For this is signified here by the term astute, and the fool changes because he sees others who are whipped. Hence the punishment of others is useful for us if we learn greater readiness for salvation through others who are punished.
HOMILIES ON JEREMIAH 12:6Hours
Isaiah 48.17-49.4
§ 150
Chapter 48
Thus saith the Lord that delivered thee, the Holy One of Israel; I am thy God, I have shewn thee how thou shouldest find the way wherein thou shouldest walk.
οὕτως λέγει Κύριος ὁ ῥυσάμενός σε, ὁ ἅγιος ᾿Ισραήλ· ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ Θεός σου, δέδειχά σοι τοῦ εὑρεῖν σε τὴν ὁδόν, ἐν ᾗ πορεύσῃ ἐν αὐτῆ.
Та́кѡ гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь, и҆зба́вивый тѧ̀, ст҃ы́й і҆и҃левъ: а҆́зъ є҆́смь гдⷭ҇ь бг҃ъ тво́й, наꙋчи́хъ тѧ̀, є҆́же ѡ҆брѣстѝ тебѣ̀ пꙋ́ть, по немꙋ́же по́йдеши.
The authority of the one commanding ought to move us to observe the commandments of God. He is of great authority, because by His wondrous wisdom He governs us. Whence Isaiah says: "I am the Lord, teaching you profitable things, governing you in the way in which you walk. Would that you had heeded my commandments! Your peace would have been as a river."
Collationes de Decem Praeceptis, Collation 1He says, "I AM your God." This "I AM" means "I am the beginning." He explained all this to the all-wise Moses saying "I am the one who is." For he as Lord is truly the God of everything. Those things that are brought into being by him are said to be "beings" also and to share in the source of being.… Again he works in them a steadfast thinking and a well-established mind that they can see God to be truly existing in nature. To these he reveals his glory so that they are not carried away by deceitful voices.
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 4:3.48:17-19(Verse 17, 18 and following) Thus says the Lord, your holy Redeemer, the God of Israel: I am the Lord your God, teaching you what is profitable, leading you in the way you should go. Oh, that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would have been like sand, and the offspring of your womb like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me. Because God has promised future blessings to Israel, he explains why he afflicted them before. If they avoid the same mistakes, they will not suffer similar consequences. Yes, he said, if you had followed my commands: as the Seventy translated; or at least, with a desire for it, if you had followed my commands: if you had done so, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea, signifying abundance of all things. And what follows: and your offspring would have been like the sand, and the descendants of your womb like its grains: indeed, it seems to remain in the Jewish people, who to this day, like worms, produce children and grandchildren; but how is this to be understood in terms of the promise, when they do not have peace and righteousness? For either he is angry with them, or appeased. If he is angry, how is his seed multiplied every day? If he is appeased, how do they serve and not possess peace and justice? From this it is clear that it is said now of the apostolic seed, of which we also read above (In Chapter I): Unless the Lord of hosts had left us seed, we would have become like Sodom. And because it seems at that time not to have been fulfilled, it is fulfilled in the coming of Christ: and before his face the seed of Israel remains.
Commentary on Isaiah892. Second, where it says, thus says the Lord, he sets out the reason for their captivity, showing on the part of God, ready help: that teach, against their ignorance, and that govern you in the way, of works, against the weakness of their working: I will give you understanding, and I will instruct you in this way, in which you shall go (Ps 32:8).
895. The words of God are profitable
for the illumination of the intellect: the commandment is a lamp (Prov 6:23);
for the delight of the affections: how sweet are your words to my palate (Ps 119:103);
for the kindling of love: there came in my heart as a burning fire (Jer 20:9); the word of the Lord inflamed him (Ps 105:19);
for the uprightness of works: direct me in your truth (Ps 25:5);
for the obtainment of glory: keep the law (Prov 3:21);
for the instruction of others: all divine doctrine (2 Tim 3:16).
Commentary on IsaiahAnd if thou hadst hearkened to my commandments, [then] would thy peace have been like a river, and thy righteousness as a wave of the sea.
καὶ εἰ ἤκουσας τῶν ἐντολῶν μου, ἐγένετο ἂν ὡσεὶ ποταμὸς ἡ εἰρήνη σου καὶ ἡ δικαιοσύνη σου ὡς κῦμα θαλάσσης·
И҆ а҆́ще бы є҆сѝ послꙋ́шалъ за́повѣдїй мои́хъ, то̀ бы́лъ бы ᲂу҆́бѡ а҆́ки рѣка̀ ми́ръ тво́й, и҆ пра́вда твоѧ̀ ꙗ҆́кѡ волна̀ морска́ѧ,
Set before yourself any river. It springs from its fountain but is of one nature, of one brightness and beauty. And you assert rightly that the Holy Spirit is of one substance, brightness and glory with the Son of God and with God the Father. I will sum up everything in the oneness of the qualities without any dispute over degrees of greatness. For in this point also Scripture has provided for us. For the Son of God says, "Whoever shall drink of the water that I will give him, it shall become in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life." This well is clearly the grace of the Spirit, a stream proceeding from the living Fountain. The Holy Spirit, then, is also the fountain of eternal life.You observe, then, from his words that the unity of the divine greatness is pointed out and that Christ cannot be denied to be a fountain even by heretics, since the Spirit, too, is called a fountain. The Spirit is called a river, too, just as the Father said, "Behold, I come down on you like a river of peace, and like a stream overflowing the glory of the Gentiles." And who can doubt that the Son of God is the river of life from whom the streams of eternal life flowed forth?
On the Holy Spirit 1.16.180-81This water is good, then. I mean here the grace of the Spirit. Who will give this Fountain to my heart? Let it spring up in me, let that which gives eternal life flow on me. Let that Fountain overflow on us and not flow away. For Wisdom says, "Drink water out of your own vessels and from the fountains of your own wells, and let your waters flow abroad in your streets." How shall I keep this water so that it does not seep out or glide away? How shall I preserve my vessel, lest any crack of sin penetrating it should let the water of eternal life exude? Teach us, Lord Jesus, teach us as you taught your apostles, saying, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where rust and moth destroy and where thieves break through and steal."8Our rust is wantonness, our rust is lust, our rust is luxury, which dim the keen vision of the mind with the filth of vices. Again, our moth is Arius, our moth is Photinus, who rend the holy vesture of the church with their impiety, and desiring to separate the indivisible unity of the divine power, gnaw the precious veil of faith with sacrilegious tooth. The water is spillled if Arius has imprinted his tooth, it flows away if Photinus has planted his sting in anyone's vessel.… If you seek Jesus, forsake the broken cisterns, for Christ did not make it his custom to sit by a pool but by a well. There that Samaritan woman found him, she who believed, she who wished to draw water. Although you ought to have come in early morning, nevertheless if you come later, even at the sixth hour, you will find Jesus wearied with his journey. He is weary, but it is because of you, because he has long looked for you, your unbelief has long wearied him. Yet he is not offended if you only come now. He asks to drink who is about to give. But he drinks not the water of a stream flowing by, but your salvation. He drinks your good dispositions. He drinks the cup, that is, the passion that atoned for your sins, that you, drinking of his sacred blood, might quench the thirst of this world.
On the Holy Spirit 1.16.182-84The authority of the one commanding ought to move us to observe the commandments of God. He is of great authority, because by His wondrous wisdom He governs us. Whence Isaiah says: "I am the Lord, teaching you profitable things, governing you in the way in which you walk. Would that you had heeded my commandments! Your peace would have been as a river."
Collationes de Decem Praeceptis, Collation 1He also shows the harm from the fault of the Jews: O that you had hearkened to my commandments, keeping them; as a river, abounding, as the waves, the same: if my people had heard me: if Israel had walked in my ways: I should soon have humbled their enemies, and laid my hand on them that troubled them (Ps 81:13-14).
Commentary on IsaiahThy seed also would have been as the sand, and the offspring of thy belly as the dust of the ground: neither now shalt thou by any means be utterly destroyed, neither shall thy name perish before me.
καὶ ἐγένετο ἂν ὡς ἡ ἄμμος τὸ σπέρμα σου καὶ τὰ ἔκγονα τῆς κοιλίας σου ὡς ὁ χοῦς τῆς γῆς· οὐδὲ νῦν οὐ μὴ ἐξολοθρευθῇς, οὐδὲ ἀπολεῖται τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ. -
и҆ бы́ло бы ꙗ҆́кѡ песо́къ сѣ́мѧ твоѐ, и҆ и҆сча̑дїѧ чре́ва твоегѡ̀ ꙗ҆́кѡ пе́рсть землѝ: нижѐ нн҃ѣ потреби́шисѧ, нижѐ поги́бнетъ и҆́мѧ твоѐ предо мно́ю.
"Your offspring would have been like the sand and your descendants like its grains." This promise seems still to apply to the Jewish people.… But how can this be taken as a real promise to them since they do not have peace and justice? For he is either angry with them or pleased with them. If angry, how can their seed grow every day? If pleased, then how can they serve and yet not have peace and justice? For this becomes clear concerning the apostolic seed about which we read above, "Unless the Lord of the sabbath left us a seed we would have been like Sodom." At that time it did not seem fulfilled, but in the advent of Christ it was, and before his face the seed of Israel endures.
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 13:17"I am the Lord your God. I have shown how to find my way so that you may benefit by traveling on that way." … But since the Jews did not desire to pay attention to these commandments, by reason of their attachment to a fleshly manner of thinking, they viewed having many children as a sign of blessing.… Nevertheless, although you have despised my laws, I will consider you worthy of consideration and, once again, you will be called "my people."
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 15:48.18-19Go forth of Babylon, thou that fleest from the Chaldeans: utter aloud a voice of joy, and let this be made known, proclaim it to the end of the earth; say ye, The Lord hath delivered his servant Jacob.
῎Εξελθε ἐκ Βαβυλῶνος φεύγων ἀπὸ τῶν Χαλδαίων· φωνὴν εὐφροσύνης ἀναγγείλατε, καὶ ἀκουστὸν γενέσθω τοῦτο, ἀπαγγείλατε ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς, λέγεται· ἐρρύσατο Κύριος τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιακώβ·
И҆зы́ди ѿ вавѷлѡ́на, бѣжа́й ѿ халде́євъ: гла́съ ра́дости возвѣсти́те, и҆ да слы́шано бꙋ́детъ сїѐ, возвѣсти́те да́же до послѣ́днихъ землѝ, глаго́лите: и҆зба́ви гдⷭ҇ь раба̀ своего̀ і҆а́кѡва.
Now my beloved, our will ought to keep pace with the grace of God and not fall short; lest while our will remains idle, the grace given us should begin to depart, and the enemy finding us empty and naked, … as was the case with him spoken of in the Gospel, from whom the devil went out. … For the departure from virtue gives place for the entrance of the unclean spirit.
FESTAL LETTERS 3:3"Come forth out of Babylon." If we take the command of the prophet in a spiritual sense, it means that we should fly from the city of this world, from the fellowship of wicked angels and wicked [people], with the feet of that faith that works through love, and we should press onward unceasingly toward the living God.
City of God 18.18(Verse 20, 21, 22.) Go out of Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans; proclaim it with a shout of joy, make it heard, proclaim it to the ends of the earth, and say: The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob. They did not thirst when he led them through the desert; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out. There is no peace for the wicked, says the Lord. Those above in that place, where it is written: I have spoken and called it; I have brought him and his way is straight; they understand it concerning Cyrus and Darius; even this refers to those times when the people went out of Babylon and fled from the Chaldeans, and they were redeemed by their Lord God. This also, which is said: They did not thirst in the desert when he led them out, he brought water from the rock for them; and he split the rock, and water flowed. Although they cannot teach that it was fulfilled according to history; for they did not come through the desert under Zerubbabel and Ezra, and the split rock provided them water, as is narrated to have happened to those coming out of Egypt: however, they testify hyperbolically that it was fulfilled in likeness to the previous happiness, when they came through the desert of nations into Judaea, and were liberated from captivity. And so, they say, it is not about Christ, but about Cyrus that it is prophesied: There is no peace for the wicked, says the Lord. And it is understood to mean that perfect happiness will not exist except under Christ, which is reserved for the last time. Moreover, those who interpret this more truly and rightly refer it to the coming of the Savior, of whom it is said: He has sent me to announce good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for prisoners. They understand it as an exhortation for those who proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Savior himself, so that we may come out of Babylon, that is, the confusion of this world, and flee from the Chaldeans, of whom it is often said: For the Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob with his precious blood and led him through the desert of the world and split the rock to give water. The Apostle speaks excellently: But the rock was Christ (I Cor. X, 4). However, the divine word is divided and divided into many parts, so that we may receive it in parts, since we cannot receive it all at once. And so that it may not be thought that this preaching is directed to all the descendants of Jacob and not only to those who will believe through the Apostles, it is added and connected: There is no peace for the wicked, says the Lord, namely those who have remained in their original error; those who do not deserve to drink from the rock. Whose side pierced with a spear, flowed with water and blood (John 19), giving us baptism and martyrdom.
Commentary on Isaiah893. Third, where it says, come forth, he foretells their liberation. And concerning this, he does three things.
First, he proclaims to them their going forth from captivity, so certain of their liberation as if it were present: come forth: go out from her (Rev 18:4); and he enjoins that they should declare the benefit of God: declare: the voice of them that flee, and of them that have escaped out of the land of Babylon: to declare in Zion the revenge of the Lord our God (Jer 50:28).
Commentary on IsaiahAnd if they shall thirst, he shall lead them through the desert; he shall bring forth water to them out of the rock: the rock shall be cloven, and the water shall flow forth, and my people shall drink.
καὶ ἐὰν διψήσωσι, δι᾿ ἐρήμου ἄξει αὐτούς, ὕδωρ ἐκ πέτρας ἐξάξει αὐτοῖς· σχισθήσεται πέτρα, καὶ ρυήσεται ὕδωρ, καὶ πίεται ὁ λαός μου.
И҆ а҆́ще вжа́ждꙋтъ, пꙋсты́нею проведе́тъ и҆̀хъ и҆ во́дꙋ и҆з̾ ка́мене и҆зведе́тъ и҆̀мъ: разсѧ́детсѧ ка́мень, и҆ потече́тъ вода̀, и҆ и҆спїю́тъ лю́дїе моѝ.
The three interpreters treat this as if it were something that had already occurred: "You made water flow for them from a rock; the waters broke the hard rock and flowed out." According to the Septuagint, the text alludes to the prophetic grace the Jews enjoyed drinking in divine draughts even while in Babylon from the prophets Daniel and Ezekiel. Because they found themselves in a desert of sorts as a result of the impiety of the Babylonians, they possessed a kind of rock in the prophecy that poured for them the drink of salvation. Further, even after the return from exile, it was Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi who presented to them these divine waters, while the admirable Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua, the son of Jozadek, wore their piety like a necklace. They offered divine teaching to them like water to the thirsty.
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 15:48.20-21Second, he designates to the liberated the past benefit of consolation: they thirsted not, that is, the Lord will so provide for them in all things, as when they came forth from Egypt: he struck the rock, and the waters gushed out (Ps 78:20), Numbers 21:16.
Commentary on IsaiahThere is no joy, saith the Lord, to the ungodly.
οὐκ ἐστι χαίρειν, λέγει Κύριος, τοῖς ἀσεβέσιν.
Нѣ́сть ра́доватисѧ нечести̑вымъ, гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь.
No one found that this happened when they came out of Babylon and went into Judah. For this is said with reference to the economy of salvation so as to show that God, who was formerly able and is still now able, being of undiminished power, to perform similar miracles with great strength, now, as if calling out, proclaims a universal law, that "there is no peace for the wicked."
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 4:3.48:20-22Some say that so we might know that this prophecy is not about Christ but about Cyrus, the phrase is added, "there is no peace for the ungodly, says the Lord." This would mean that there will be no perfect happiness except under Christ, which is reserved for the last times. Yet those who more truly and rightly apply these words to the advent of the Savior, about whom it is said, "He has sent me to announce to the poor, to preach liberty to the captives," understand it to be an encouragement of those who preach the gospel or of the Lord and Savior, that we leave Babylon, that is, the confusion of this world, and flee the Babylonians.… For the Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob with his most precious blood and led him through the desert and made a way for water to come out of a rock, about which the apostle said, "The Rock was Christ." … And lest it be thought that the prophecy is said about all the seed of Jacob, and not those only who would believe through the apostles, mention is also made concerning this: "there is no peace for the ungodly."
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 13:18Third, he removes the comfort of peace from the wicked: there is no peace, below (Isa 57:21); what have you to do with peace? (2 Kgs 9:18).
Commentary on IsaiahChapter 49
Hearken to me, ye islands; and attend, ye Gentiles; after a long time it shall come to pass, saith the Lord: from my mother’s womb he has called my name:
ΑΚΟΥΣΑΤΕ μου, νῆσοι, καὶ προσέχετε, ἔθνη· διὰ χρόνου πολλοῦ στήσεται, λέγει Κύριος. ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομά μου
Послꙋ́шайте менѐ, ѻ҆́строви, и҆ внемли́те, ꙗ҆зы́цы. Вре́менемъ мно́гимъ стоѧ́ти бꙋ́детъ, гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь: ѿ чре́ва ма́тере моеѧ̀ наречѐ и҆́мѧ моѐ,
He calls to "the islands," which we take to be the churches of Christ, just as they are lying in the sea or the waves of this present existence and surrounded by the insulting attacks of "the waves," or the persecutions and afflictions that the enemies of the truth inflict on the churches as they war against the divine call. Concerning these islands the divinely inspired Scripture often speaks. There the blessed David sang a psalm and said, "The Lord reigns, and let the earth be glad and many islands rejoice." So when Christ taking all things in his hands reigned over it from heaven and ejected the demons' tyranny, then did they rejoice, that is, the churches over all the earth were filled with happiness.… [Isaiah] promised that our Savior Jesus Christ would be revealed to everyone and that God as the Word would come on the earth among them in a form "after our likeness." … That this is so, the person of the Savior himself attests, "Out of my mother's womb he called my name." Mixed into these words is a deep and great mystery that requires mystical understanding from above.… For he was and is God the Word, equal and sharing the throne with God the Father, coexisting and coeternal.
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 4:4.49:1-3Consider how he who was not yet born could have a people, unless he were in being before he was born. The prophet says this in his person, "From my mother's womb he gave me my name"; because the angel foretold that he would be called Jesus. Again, concerning the plots of Herod, he says, "He … concealed me in the shadow of his arm."
Catechetical Lecture 10:12(Chapter 49—Verse 1 onwards) Listen, O islands, and pay attention, O peoples from afar: The Lord called me from the womb; from the body of my mother he remembered my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword; in the shadow of his hand he protected me. He made me like a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me: You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified. And I said: I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my reward is with my God. LXX: Hear me, O islands, and pay attention, O nations. After a long time, I will stand, says the Lord. From the womb, He called me, and from my mother's womb, He pronounced my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, and He hid me in the shadow of His hand. He made me like a chosen arrow and concealed me in His quiver. And He said to me: You are my servant, Israel, and in you I will be glorified. And I said, I have labored in vain and have spent my strength for nothing. Therefore, my judgment is before the Lord, and my work is before my God. I know that both these things and the things beneath, which we are about to discuss, pertain to the knowledge or understanding of one chapter, and all should be understood from the person of Christ. But I did not want to burden the reader's mind by presenting everything at once, nor did I want to confuse the magnitude of what can be said in parts. Therefore, I have provided both editions: so that what seems obscure in one may be revealed by the reading of the other. Therefore, after calling the remnant of Israel and rejecting the unbelieving people, of whom it was said: 'There is no peace for the wicked,' says the Lord (Isaiah 48:22), he turns to the Churches gathered from the nations and speaks to them under the name of islands. These, being exposed to the attacks of the persecutors, are like the waves of the sea, and are battered on all sides by a raging storm, rather than being moved. And lest anyone think that our interpretation is forced and does not apply to the Gentiles, but to the synagogues of the Jewish people, it follows: 'And listen, O peoples from far away, that is, from the ends of the earth.' Just as the Seventy translated, it will stand for a long time, that is, not in this time in which they are being said; but after many times have passed. The Lord, He says, called me from the womb, and He remembered my name from my mother's womb. Which now, in the meantime, seems obscure to those who hear it, but afterwards it will become known to all nations, when Gabriel said to Joseph about the birth from the Virgin: 'And you shall call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people' (Matt. 1:21). He has also made His mouth like a sharp sword, in order to kill the wicked with the breath of His mouth. Regarding this sword, he himself speaks in the Gospel: I have not come to bring peace upon the earth, but a sword, separating the wicked from the good: For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law (Matthew 10:34-35). And in shadow, he says, his hand protected me, so that the lowliness of flesh would be covered by the power of divinity, as the Angel announced to the Virgin: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (Luke 1:35). He has set me like an arrow chosen, in his quiver he has hidden me. When he says 'an arrow chosen', he shows that God has many arrows, but not chosen ones: which arrows are the Prophets and Apostles, who run throughout the whole world. Of whom it is also sung in another place: Your arrows are sharp, O mighty one; the peoples fall beneath you (Psalm 45:6); and again: Your arrows are sharp, with coals of desolation (Psalm 119:41). But Christ, out of many arrows and many sons, is the chosen arrow, and He is the Only Begotten Son: whom He has hidden in His quiver, that is, in a human body, so that the fullness of divinity might dwell bodily in Him. And rare indeed is the faith of believers, to whom it is also said above (Chap. XLV, 15): You are a hidden God, and we did not know. With this arrow, and as a wounded bride, the Song of Songs speaks and says: I am wounded with love. And he said to me: You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified (Cant. IV, 9). A servant, because although he was in the form of God, he chose to take on the form of a servant (Philippians II), and Israel, because he was born from the seed of the Jews. And what can be understood about no other servant is joined together: In you I will be glorified (or I will be glorified). For he himself says in the Gospel, Father, glorify your name (John XII, 28). He who speaks in the psalm to the Son: Arise, my glory, and arise, psaltery and harp (Ps. LVI, 9), that is, the chorus of all virtues. But when I said these things to my Father, I responded to him: How have you been glorified in me, Father, because I have labored in vain, and I have not been able to bring back a great part of the Jewish people to you? But all these things are said in order to show the free will of man. For it is God's job to call and our job to believe; and if we do not believe immediately, it does not mean that God is impossible; but he leaves his power to our free will so that the righteous will receive the reward of their will. Because, therefore, they did not want to believe in you through me, my judgment is before you, that I have done all that I should have done for them, saying in the Gospel: I have glorified you on earth, having completed the work which you gave me to do (John 17:4); and again: I have made your name known to men. And my work or labor and my suffering (for this is what πόνος signifies) are before your eyes. For he wept over Jerusalem in the Gospel (Luke 19), and in a certain manner, in Psalm, he says that he suffered in vain on account of the multitude of unbelievers: What profit is there in my blood, when I descend into corruption? (Psalm 29:10). And hanging on the cross, he speaks according to the Hebrew: Far from my salvation are the words of my lamentations (Ps. 21:1).
Commentary on IsaiahInstead of "after a long time," Symmachus has said, "Lend your ear, O Gentiles, [who come] from afar." The text therefore calls [those of] the islands, the continents and even those who inhabit the extremities [of the earth] to listen to the prophecy. But the expression of the Septuagint, "after a long time," should be understood as follows: the Lord of the universe promised to Abraham to bless all nations in his posterity. This promise he also made to Isaac and to Jacob. Jacob, in his turn, gave it to Judah as a blessing: "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, or a lawgiver from between his feet, until he comes for whom it is reserved, he who is also the expectation of nations." Now, a very great number of years had passed from the promise made to Abraham until the call of the Gentiles. This is why the prophetic text says, "Listen, you Gentiles, after a long time." Then he adds, "It shall stand, says the Lord," that is, to say the word of the promise, for the promise of God is trustworthy.
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 15:49.1896. Give ear, you islands. In this part, he describes more particularly the order of liberation. And concerning this, he does two things:
first, the people confess the benefits they received;
second, they receive the promise of future benefits, where it says, and I said: I have labored in vain (Isa 49:4).
Concerning the first, they confess four benefits.
First, the privilege of divine election; and this continues why the prophet had enjoined above upon the people that they should declare (Isa 48:20); thus, immediately the voice of the people is added, declaring and saying: give ear; the Lord has called me from the womb, choosing me in my fathers: from my mother's womb you are my God (Ps 21:11–12[22:10–11]).
897. According to others, this is the voice of Cyrus, whose name was foretold by Isaiah before he was born, above (Isa 45:1). It is otherwise explained of Christ, whose name was foretold by the angel.
Commentary on Isaiahand he has made my mouth as a sharp sword, and he has hid me under the shadow of his hand; he has made me as a choice shaft, and he has hid me in his quiver;
καὶ ἔθηκε τὸ στόμα μου ὡσεὶ μάχαιραν ὀξεῖαν καὶ ὑπὸ τὴν σκέπην τῆς χειρὸς αὐτοῦ ἔκρυψέ με, ἔθηκέ με ὡς βέλος ἐκλεκτὸν καὶ ἐν τῇ φαρέτρᾳ αὐτοῦ ἔκρυψέ με.
и҆ положѝ ᲂу҆ста̀ моѧ̑ ꙗ҆́кѡ ме́чь ѻ҆́стръ, и҆ под̾ кро́вомъ рꙋкѝ своеѧ̀ скры̀ мѧ̀: положѝ мѧ̀ ꙗ҆́кѡ стрѣлꙋ̀ и҆збра́ннꙋ, и҆ въ тꙋ́лѣ свое́мъ скры̀ мѧ̀,
Make for yourself, O man, a case; stripping off the old man with his actions, put on the new. Your case, your sheath, is Christ, who protects and hides you in the evil day. Do you want to know why the case is protection? My quiver, He says, protected him. Therefore, your case is faith: fill it with the good scents of your virtues; that is, chastity, mercy, and justice, and in it, enter completely fragrant with the sweet scent of excellent deeds of faith.
The Six Days of Creation, 5.80This arrow signifies his divinity, resting in a quiver signifying the body assumed from the Virgin, in whose cloth of flesh his divinity was clothed.
TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 2:4The name Christ is not appropriate for God the Word before the generation that, as I said, was according to the flesh. If he was then not yet anointed, how could he be called "Christ"? But when the man came forth from his mother's womb, then he received the name at the same time as the generation according to the flesh. For it says that he "set his mouth like a sharp sword" … for no one can overcome his all-powerful right hand, but the Word is kept distinct from the dimensions of the humanity. For he is the Word from the Father and himself is the Lord of hosts. When he became man, the Father did not remove the power of the mystery but confirmed him in the economy of salvation.… There have been several arrows of God hidden in his quiver, in his foreknowledge, and brought out at the time prepared for each, but the chosen arrow above all others is the Christ hidden in the quiver or foreknowledge of God. For he was known before the creation of the world and brought forth in the middle of time when it was necessary that the earth be visited as it was falling into destruction.… This chosen arrow, as I said, got rid of Satan and the evil powers with him … yet he wounds in another way, for benefit and salvation. Thus it says in the Song of Songs, "I am wounded with love."
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 4:4.49:1-3When it says "chosen arrow," it implies that God has many arrows but not choice ones—these arrows are the prophets and apostles, who go shooting off around the world.… But Christ is the one arrow chosen from many arrows and one son from many sons, which he hid in his quiver, that is, in his human body, so that the fullness of divinity could dwell in him bodily and that the faith of believers be distributed.
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 13:19If anyone has been able to hold in the breadth of his mind and to consider the glory and splendor of all those things created in him, he will be struck by their very beauty and transfixed by the magnificence of their brilliance or, as the prophet says, "by the chosen arrow." And he will receive from him the saving wound and will burn with the blessed fire of his love.
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS, PROLOGUESuch is the word, the source of division that he presented to all people; likewise he declared, "I have not come to bring peace to the earth, but a sword." And moreover, the divine apostle says, "The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." … "He has set me like a chosen arrow and hidden me in his quiver." Similarly, Isaiah said this metaphorically; he speaks of an arrow that wounds the souls of those who love him. Each cries, "I am wounded by love." The quiver represents the mystery of the economy of the incarnation.
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 15:49.2Second, the efficacy of their prayer: and he has made my mouth, my prayer, like a sharp sword, penetrating unto the ears of God and the heart of his mercy: and the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17).
Third, the help of divine protection: in the shadow of his hand, that is, under the protection of his power; as an archer hides a chosen arrow, to preserve it: protect me under the shadow of your wings (Ps 16[17]:8); he has hidden me in his tabernacle (Ps 26[27]:5).
897. According to others, of Cyrus, whose threatening words were like a sword; and who was protected lest his grandfather kill him, and was preserved like a chosen arrow for the appointed time. Or of Christ, whose word of preaching is a sword penetrating hearts; who was protected from the weakness of the flesh by the power of his divinity; and who was chosen among all to complete the salvation of the human race.
Commentary on Isaiahand said to me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, and in thee I will be glorified.
καὶ εἶπέ μοι· δοῦλός μου εἶ σύ, ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ ἐν σοὶ δοξασθήσομαι.
и҆ речѐ мѝ: ра́бъ мо́й є҆сѝ ты̀, і҆и҃лю, и҆ въ тебѣ̀ просла́влюсѧ.
With the Father saying these things to me which I have registered, I replied to him, "How are you glorified in me, Father, since I have worked in the void and have not been able to summon back to you the great part of the Jewish people?" Now this reveals a universal principle, in that it shows the free will of the human being—it is for God to call and for us to believe. And if we do not believe immediately, God is not powerless but leaves his power for our will so that the will fittingly gains the award.
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 13:19"You are my servant Israel, and I will glorify myself in you." This is to be understood according to Christ's human nature. For according to his human nature Christ is called Israel, Jacob, the son of David, the seed of Abraham, and so on. Christ is called "servant" since the servile nature God the Word assumed was the form of a slave. For "he has given him the name above every name," that is, to be the Son. As God, Christ the master was always Son, but as man he became Son. For there is not one that is "that Son" and another that is "this Son," but the one who is God the Son also became the Son as a human being.
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 15:49.3Fourth, the glory of divine service: and he said to me: in you will I glory, through the wonders shown in you, I will appear glorious, above: every one that calls upon my name, I have created him for my glory (Isa 43:7).
897. According to others, of Cyrus, to whom it was declared that the people of Israel was the servant of God. Or of Christ, who is called "Israel," because he was born from the people of Israel according to the flesh.
Commentary on IsaiahThen I said, I have laboured in vain, I have given my strength for vanity and for nothing: therefore is my judgment with the Lord, and my labour before my God.
καὶ ἐγὼ εἶπα· κενῶς ἐκοπίασα, εἰς μάταιον καὶ εἰς οὐδὲν ἔδωκα τὴν ἰσχύν μου· διὰ τοῦτο ἡ κρίσις μου παρὰ Κυρίῳ, καὶ ὁ πόνος μου ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ μου.
А҆́зъ же реко́хъ: вотщѐ трꙋди́хсѧ, всꙋ́е и҆ ни во что̀ да́хъ крѣ́пость мою̀: сегѡ̀ ра́ди сꙋ́дъ мо́й пред̾ гдⷭ҇емъ и҆ трꙋ́дъ мо́й пред̾ бг҃омъ мои́мъ.
For it was a labor for the Word to come among us and to surrender himself to human fragility. But "my judgment" is the punishment of the Father that I [the Savior] have turned into a feast for their salvation. For that reason the judgment was taken away from him [the servant]. Just what sort of judgment was that? [Sinners] have been cast out of his company, to be placed outside the people of God, no longer sharers in the salvation wrought by him, and they have no longer any taste of the hope of the saints, to which many of the nations have been called in their place.
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 4:4.49:4It is necessary to recognize that he says these things as a human. For in the holy Gospels Christ as a human makes a number of humble declarations. For instance, … "I do nothing from myself."
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 15:49.4898. And I said. Here the Lord promises future benefits.
And first, he promises exaltation to the prophet Isaiah;
second, he promises liberation to the people: thus says the Lord the redeemer (Isa 49:7).
Concerning the first, he does two things.
First is set out the claim of the prophet who puts forth his labor in preaching, even though, due to the fault of those who heard it, it bore no fruit, and he concludes: therefore my judgment, for myself, is with the Lord, before him, and my work with my God, as though pleasing to him: the founder has melted in vain (Jer 6:29).
Commentary on Isaiah
Now then take the weapons, both thy quiver and thy bow, and go into the plain, and get me venison,
νῦν οὖν λαβὲ τὸ σκεῦός σου, τήν τε φαρέτραν καὶ τὸ τόξον, καὶ ἔξελθε εἰς τὸ πεδίον καὶ θήρευσόν μοι θήραν
нн҃ѣ ᲂу҆̀бо возмѝ ѻ҆рꙋ́дїе твоѐ, тꙋ́лъ же и҆ лꙋ́къ, и҆ и҆зы́ди на по́ле, и҆ ᲂу҆лови́ ми ло́въ:
The fact that the prophet asks Esau for food by giving him an order signifies the call that the Word addresses to the first people when he asks them for the fruit of the works of justice, that justice which was considered to be a nourishment for the Father. In fact, the words "go out to the field, and hunt game for me" signify worldly life. On the other hand, the fact that he says, "Take your quiver and your bow" shows that the people, inflated with their personal glory, would not be justified by their faith but by being proud of their wars would ask for a tyrant as their king, just as Moses had said to them: "And the sword is your boast."
ON THE BLESSINGS OF ISAAC AND JACOB 3Notice in this, dearly beloved, God's ineffable wisdom: Whereas the father gave evidence of natural affection by giving these directions to Esau, the wise and resourceful Lord caused his own prediction to be brought to pass by means of Rebekah, thus teaching us the power of virtue and mildness of manner. I mean, one son considered himself to hold pride of place by birthright and by his father's preference for him, and yet he was suddenly found to be bereft of all this. The other son, on the contrary, being endowed with homely virtues and enjoying the help of favor from above, won his father's blessing against his will. Nothing is more powerful than the person helped by that mighty right hand.In any case, look carefully at all this so as to learn the extraordinary nature of God's designs: One man enjoyed favor from that source and was accorded great cooperation in everything so that the father's blessing was transferred to him. The other lost everything, forfeiting what was his because of the evil of his ways.
HOMILIES ON GENESIS 53.3-4