Commentary on Jeremiah

Basil of Caesarea (330–379)

This alone among all evils is without comparison. This is a new act of shamelessness in life. "Go over to the islands of Kittim and see," the Lord says. "Send to Kedar and consider carefully whether anything like this has ever been done—if a nation has changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.)." But the virgin "has changed her glory," and her glory is in her shame.

Not only Paul, but generally all those to whom is committed any ministry of the word, never cease from testifying but call heaven and earth to witness on the ground that now every deed that is done is done within them, and that in the examination of all the actions of life they will be present with the judged. So it is said, "He shall call to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people." And so Moses when about to deliver his oracles to the people says, "I call heaven and earth to witness this day," and again in his song he says, "Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak. Hear, O earth, the words of my mouth." Isaiah invokes: "Hear, O heavens. Listen, O earth." Jeremiah describes astonishment in heaven at the tidings of the unholy deeds of the people: "The heaven was astonished at this and was…

See also

• More works by Basil of Caesarea

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