約伯倫理 第 120 章

Verse 17. — But while he too was yet speaking, another came, and said: The Chaldeans made three bands, and rushed upon the camels, and took them, and moreover struck the servants with the sword, and I alone escaped to bring you word. 52. The Chaldeans making three bands are the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees. The camels are the Samaritans, or the Jews cleaving to the bare letter of the law. — Since we know that the Chaldeans are interpreted 'the fierce,' who else are designated by the name of the Chaldeans, if not the authors of persecution, breaking forth even to open cries of malice, when they say: Crucify, crucify (Luke 23:21; Mark 15:13)?

Who make of themselves three bands, when the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees divided themselves to put questions to the Lord. Who indeed were vanquished by the mouth of Wisdom: but because it is to be believed that they drew after themselves certain foolish ones, having made bands they took the camels. For each order of them corrupted the hearts of the foolish in the perverse things which it savored; and while by persuading it dragged them to destruction, it as it were led the twisted minds of the weak into captivity. For while the Lord was preaching in Samaria, many of the Samaritans were taken into the possession of this our Redeemer. But surely those who, concerning the seven husbands of one woman who had died, tempt the Lord out of despair of the resurrection (Matt.

22:25), did they not by no means attempt to lead back from the faith the believing Samaritans, whom it is agreed to be ignorant of the hope of the resurrection? Who, while they receive some things from the law, and despise other things, as it were after the manner of camels, ruminate like a clean animal, but by no means, like an unclean one, part the hoof. Although those also indicate the camels chewing the cud, but nevertheless not parting the hoof, who in Judea heard the history according to the letter, but knew not how to discern its virtue spiritually. Whom the Chaldeans seize in three bands; while the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees pervert them from all rectitude of understanding by iniquitous persuasion.

And at the same time they strike the servants with the sword, because although those in the people who could now use reason, they themselves opposed not by the power of reason, but by the authority of power; and while they wish to be imitated by their subjects as though they were prelates, even if the followers can understand something, yet by the authority of the government they have received, they drag them to ruin. From whom the servant who brings word rightly flees alone: because, while the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees perpetrate iniquities, the prophetic word, forsaking them namely, grows strong, which says: And those holding the law knew me not (Jer. 2:8). There follows: