Книга пророка Иеремии, Глава 2, стих 18. Толкования стиха

GOOD WORKS FLOW. AUGUSTINE: If we are not false servants of God, if there is in us a spark of that fire whereby “charity seeks not its own,” we certainly should make our good works appear, not only before God but even before people, for fear that, while drinking of quiet waters in our own conscience, we should be constrained by careless feet to drive the sheep of the Lord to drink the troubled waters. LETTER 125.

THE SOURCE OF LIVING WATER. ATHANASIUS: For the fool does not know that those who depart far from God shall perish. And besides, there is the restraint of the prophetic admonition that says, ‘What have you to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Gihon? And what have you to do in the way of Ashur, to drink the waters of the rivers?” FESTAL LETTERS 7.5.

DISCIPLINE IN SANCTIFICATION. ISAAC OF NINEVEH: The intellect especially strays when the eyes wander and the belly is at ease. . . . If you patiently endure in the desert, you will not be tempted, for there you will see no women, nor will you encounter anything harmful to your mode of life, nor will you hear unseemly cries. “And what hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the water of Geon?” Understand what I say. Show the enemy your patience and experience in small matters so that he does not seek great things from you. Let these small matters be a pattern for you, that through your struggles in small things you may lay a trap for him and give him no leisure to contrive great snares for you. ASCETICAL HOMILIES 40.

OUR PARENTS WILL CONDEMN US. PACHOMIUS: Truly, I fear that our parents according to the flesh will be found to condemn us and to quote the words of Scripture, “How have you become wretched, greatly put to shame? Great is your affliction; a fire is kindled on you; your branches have become useless.” For this cause they have become a prey. The lions have roared at it and have given out their voice against it. For this reason, the beloved are like the abhorred and the crown of your head is taken away. Cities that face the south, how are you shut off? There is nobody to give access to you. Let indeed the wicked be removed, that he may not see the glory of the Lord. PARALIPOMENA 19.

FLEE TO GOD. PACHOMIUS: My child, flee to God, for it is he who created you. It was for you that he underwent these sufferings. For he said, “I gave my back to the whips and my cheek to the slaps. I did not turn my face away from the shame of spittle.” O mortal, what is the good of your going to Egypt, to drink the water of the Geon that is churned up? INSTRUCTIONS 1.31.