Толкование на группу стихов: Иез: 34: 17-17
THE JOY OF BEING GOD’S FLOCK. AUGUSTINE: If you really think, brothers, what a very great blessing it is to be God’s flock, you must be filled even in the midst of these tears and troubles of ours with very great joy. SERMON 47.3.
GOD’S PATIENCE WITH THE FLOCK. AUGUSTINE: What are he-goats doing here in God’s flock? In the same pastures, at the same springs, he-goats, though destined for the left hand, are mixing with those of the right hand, and those who are going to be separated are first tolerated. And this is to exercise the sheep in a patience after the likeness of God’s own patience. SERMON 47.6.
THE GOOD REASSURED, THE BAD MADE AFRAID. AUGUSTINE: I am judging. What a relief, what reassurance! The Lord is judging; the good can be reassured. No opponent can corrupt their judge, no counselor twist him round their little finger or witness play fast and loose with him. But just as the good can be reassured, so to the same extent the bad should be afraid. He is not the sort of judge things can be kept hidden from. Do you imagine, after all, that God as judge is going to examine witnesses, to learn from them who you may be? How can he possibly be mistaken about who you may be, seeing that he knew what you were going to be? SERMON 47.7.