Exalted horn versus the humble economy of Christ

The enemies have already been stripped bare. Therefore, here a wall is formed by the king and the rulers and all who, in power, surround this place with fortifications—those he deems worthy to weep unceasingly in repentanceo see them, constantly present a fallen state. These things, he says, belong to them; and if he does not again signify the sorrow of the formerly guarding power, he does so hyperbolically. “In distress,” he says, “they remembered the Lord from their whole heart.” Therefore, do this, he says: weep by night and by day, and “upon your beds, lament.” Do not regard the release from these things as sobriety; for repentance is unto salvation. Sobriety, however, belongs not to good things, but to ceasing from worse things. And let your mind be continually joined to Christ, that he may guard you as the pupil of the eye and become a wall for you. The night is watchful, as the soul is gathered within it in the stillness of the senses. Then he commands to meditate upon the commandments of God and to say with David: “By night, with my heart, I meditated; and my spirit was stirred.” And since the night is divided into four watches, say with David: “My eyes anticipated the watches,” and with Habakkuk: “I will stand upon my watch, and set myself upon the tower, and will look forth to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” For then you shall say: “That he will speak peace unto his people.” Therefore, meditate in silence during the night of this present age; for you do not have “a wrestling against blood and flesh, but against the principalities, against the powers.” “For you know not when the lord of the house comes, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning.”

Do not suppose that the thief will come upon you unawares and find you sleeping; for if you knew at what hour the robber would come, you would have stayed awake and would not have allowed your house to be broken into. Moreover, lift up your hands to him through the work of good deeds. The struggle is not about trivial matters, but arises from the lack of understanding of the divine word, causing your little ones to falter and to stand at the beginning of all powers—the eleven commandments of God—being unable to advance without God’s cooperation and without the sustaining bread that strengthens the heart. When the prophet had exhorted, Jerusalem was persuaded and said to God: “Do not turn your face away from me,” “Look upon me and have mercy on me,” “Do not rebuke me in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.” The wound is greater than human nature. I know that I have transgressed the law and am subject to the ensuing penalties, among which is the statement: “You shall eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of your sons and your daughters.” I once thought these words were merely threats, but Lord, I have come to know that “your law is truth.” Yet, as a priest and prophet, I did not learn of the slaughter taking place in the midst of the sanctuary. Upon the earth lay all those who, due to age, were unable to endure the labors—a pitiable sight, as if the slaughter of youths and virgins were not enough, and even these massacres should be led forth before entering a more bitter life. The exports of the land are the necessities of life, among which they had lain down without keeping watch or praying, having shut the eyes of the soul against sin and folly. And who are these? If they are children,

It is not at all surprising that, even now, before these events, those who seemed to have advanced in virtue and whose entire soul was blameless and capable in warfare have become subject to enemies. Yet you, as a good one, put an end to such a life for them, and you cut short every one of their establishments that is based on evil.

The ones dwelling around me in Judah, he says, who had taken refuge in me, hoping for salvation from this place—none of them remains, due to the anger you have brought upon them. For the very things by which they sinned, many and powerful enemies have now arisen against them.

Terrible things have happened to the prophet even before the city was captured and while it lay in ruins. Therefore, beginning with a different elemental instruction, he hides himself, seeing poverty and desolation in the city through the Lord’s discipline. And yet he himself has not become less in lack of good things, while at the same time having come into circumstances where he examined them, so as to say: “I spent the whole day being mocked,” and at the same time sharing in their terrible misfortunes and the sorrow that arises from compassion.

He also says, according to David: “The shadow of death has fallen upon me.” For when it seems he is giving them a brief respite from their labors, he again turns back and relentlessly pursues them, inflicting continuous punishment.

The phrase “all the day” indicates each day, as David says: “All the day fighting has oppressed me.” It would also suggest that he has turned his hand against them, and that long ago he provided me with good things, but now he brings disciplines upon me, as if he had changed his hand.

The treachery that has befallen us from sin is signified.