Беседа 17

Acts 7:35. This Moses, whom they rejected, saying: Who made you a ruler and a judge? This God, through the Angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush, sent him as a leader and deliverer. 1. This relates very closely to the subject proposed by (Stephen). “This Moses,” he says. What “this”? The one who was in danger of perishing, whom (the Jews) despised, whom they rejected, saying: “Who made you a leader and a judge over us?” , just as they said about Christ: “We have no king except Caesar” (John 19:15). “God has sent him as a ruler and a deliverer through an angel,” who said to him: “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham” (Ex. 3:6). By this he shows that the miracles that happened (under Moses) were performed by Christ. “This”, i.e. Moses (look at how Stephen portrays his glory) “brought them out, doing signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. This is the Moses who said to the children of Israel: The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers; Listen to him” (Acts 7:36–37), i.e., whom they will also despise and persecute. After all, Herod wanted to kill Him (Christ), but He was saved in Egypt, just as he was persecuted as a child. “This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, and who received living words to pass on to us” (Acts 7:38). Again (this happened when) there was no church or sacrifice yet. “With an Angel,” he says, “he received living words to convey to us.” By this he shows that (Moses) not only performed signs, but also gave the law, like Christ. And just as he first performs signs, then gives the law, so is Christ. But (the Jews), accustomed to never submitting, did not listen to him even after the signs and wonders that happened for forty years. And not only did they not listen, but did the opposite, to which Stephen pointed out and added: “to whom our fathers did not want to be obedient, but rejected him and turned their hearts to Egypt, saying to Aaron: make us gods who will precede us; for we do not know what happened to Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt. And in those days they made a calf, and sacrificed to the idol, and rejoiced before the work of their hands. God turned away and left them to serve the army of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: the house of Israel! Did you bring slaughter and sacrifices to Me for forty years in the wilderness? You have taken the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your god Remphan, the images which you made to worship them: and I will remove you beyond Babylon” (Acts 7:39–43). “He turned away and left” here means: he allowed it. “Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, as he who spoke to Moses commanded that it should be made according to the pattern which he had seen” (Acts 7:44). Although there was a tabernacle, there were no sacrifices yet. And that they were not, the prophet clearly speaks about this: “Did you bring Me sacrifices and gifts of grain?” (Am.5:25) There was a tabernacle of “testimony,” but it did not bring them any benefit, and they perished. Also, the signs neither before nor after did not bring them any benefit. “Our fathers... took it and brought it into their possession” (Acts 7:45). Do you see that the place is holy, where God is present? That’s why he said: “in the wilderness,” in order to compare one place with another. Then (followed) a good deed. “Our fathers and Jesus took it into the possessions of the nations driven out by God from the presence of our fathers. So it was until the days of David that he found grace before God and prayed to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob” (Acts 7:45-46). David, the great and wonderful, did not receive what he asked; His house is. But the Most High does not live in churches made with hands” (Acts 7:47–48). This has already been proven by the previous words; but it is also confirmed by a prophetic voice; and how, listen further: “As the prophet says: Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what place for My rest? Was it not My hand that created all this?” (Acts 7:49–50). Do not be surprised, he says that Christ does good to those who reject His kingdom: the same thing happened under Moses. He not only drove out (the Jews), but after they had been in the desert. Do you see that those signs were for them? Whoever talked with God, was miraculously saved, did so much and had such power, his prophecy, as (Stephen) proves, must certainly be fulfilled, and he cannot contradict himself. However, let's turn to the above. “This is the one,” he says, “Moses, who said: The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me.” It seems to me that Christ also pointed to this saying when he said: “for salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22), meaning Himself. “This is the one who was in the meeting in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him.” So again he indicates that (Christ) gave the law, since He was with him (Moses) in the assembly - in the wilderness. It also reminds us of the great miracle that happened on Mount (Sinai). "And who received living words". Moses was wonderful in everything, but especially when it was necessary to give the law. What does “living words” mean? He understands those whose fulfillment was revealed in his words, or prophecies. Then follows the accusation of the forefathers, who, after signs and wonders, and upon receiving the words of the living, “did not want,” he says, “to be obedient.” He said well: “living words,” showing that there are also words that are not living, which Ezekiel also mentions when he says: “and he allowed them to do evil” (Ezekiel 20:25). In contrast to such words, he added: “alive.” “But they rejected him and turned their hearts to Egypt,” where they groaned, where they cried out, from where they called on God. “Saying to Aaron, Make us gods who will go before us.” 2. Oh, madness! “Do,” they say, “that would precede us.” Where? To Egypt. Do you see how reluctantly they parted with Egyptian customs? What are you saying? You don’t want to wait for the one who brought you out, but you refuse the good deed and run away from the benefactor? And watch how they insult him. "Moses, who brought us up from the land of Egypt." Nowhere is the name of God mentioned, but everything is attributed to Moses. When they should have been grateful, then they blame Moses; and when it was necessary to fulfill the law, then they no longer remembered Moses. He told them that he was going up (to the mountain) to receive the law: but they did not wait even forty days. "Make us gods". They did not say: “God”, but “gods”; They were so furious that they themselves didn’t know what they were saying. “And in those days they made a calf, and sacrificed to the idol.” Have you seen extreme madness? Where God appeared to Moses, they make a calf and sacrifice to him. “And they rejoiced,” he says, “before the work of their hands.” What they had to be ashamed of, they rejoiced at. And what is surprising if you do not recognize Christ, when (you did not recognize) either Moses or God, who was revealed in so many signs? But they not only did not recognize them, but also insulted them in another way by making idols. “God turned away and left them to serve the heavenly army.” This is where these customs originated; hence these victims. They first made sacrifices to idols, pointing to which David says: “and they made a calf at Horeb, and worshiped the image” (Ps. 106:19). Since before this there was no mention of sacrifices anywhere, but there were living commandments and “living words,” then there were no (sacrificial) rituals anywhere, but only miracles and the appearance of signs. "As it is written in the book of the prophets". Here (Stephen) gave evidence not without a purpose, but in order to show that there is no need for sacrifices. And look what he says: “House of Israel! Did you bring slaughter and sacrifices to Me for forty years in the wilderness? You accepted the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your god Remphan, the images that you made to worship them." He said in the form of reproof; and his words mean the following: you cannot say that you began to offer sacrifices to idols, just as you offered them to Me; and it was in the wilderness when God especially led them. "You accepted the tabernacle of Moloch." From her they (received) the beginning of the sacrifice. “And I will remove you further than Babylon.” So captivity is a punishment for wickedness. But why, they will say, is the tabernacle called “tabernacle of testimony” (μαρτυρίου)? Because she was so that they would have God as a witness (μάρτυρα). That's all she existed for. “According to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain” (Ex. 25:40). Consequently, its example was shown on the mountain, and it was carried in the desert, and did not stand still. It is called the Tabernacle of Testimony for no other reason than miracles and commandments. However, neither she nor they had a church. And the very example of it was shown, therefore, by the angel himself. “So it was until the days of David,” he says. Consequently, until that time there was no temple, although the (pagan) peoples were expelled, of which he says: “those driven out by God from the presence of our fathers.” He said this again in order to prove that there was no church then. But what am I saying: there were so many miracles and there was no church yet? Here was the first tabernacle, but there was no church yet. David prayed to find grace before God - he prayed and did not create (the church). Consequently, the church was not something important, although some considered Solomon great for building the church, and even for this they put him above his father. But that he was not better than his father and not even equal to him, but only seemed so in the opinion of the crowd, he explained this by adding: “but the Most High does not live in churches made with hands, as the prophet says: Heaven is my throne, and earth is the footstool of my feet.” Yes, and these (heaven and earth) are unworthy (to be the dwelling place) of God, as creations, as the works of His hands. See how he convinces them little by little. From the prophet he proves that even these (creations) cannot be called worthy (to be the dwelling place) of God. Why, they will say, does he then speak so accusatoryly? He had great boldness, like (a man) ready to die; I think he knew this by revelation. “Fierce-necked! people with uncircumcised hearts and ears!” ; and this is also from the prophet, and not his own words; “You always resist the Holy Spirit, as your fathers do, so do you” (Acts 7:51). When God did not want there to be sacrifices, you made sacrifices; but when he desires, you do not bring them; when He did not want to give you commandments, you demanded them; and when they received them, they neglected them. And again, when the church existed, you served idols; and when He wants you to serve Him without a church, you do the opposite. Look, he did not say: “Resist God,” but: “Resist the Spirit”; so he does not posit any difference (between Them). And he says even more: “as your fathers, so are you.” So Christ also rebuked them, because they always boasted too much to their fathers. “Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One." He says: “Righteous” in order to admonish them with this. “Whom you have now become traitors and murderers” (Acts 7:52). He accuses them of two things: that they did not recognize (the prophets) and that they killed them. “You who received the law while angels ministered and did not keep it” (Acts 7:53). 3. What does this mean? Some claim that he said the law was made by angels; but this is unfair, because when did angels constitute the law? But he says “they accepted the law through the ministry of angels,” i.e. handed to Moses by an angel who appeared to him in a bush, since it was not a man. So, there is nothing surprising, he says, if you did this when you did that; if you put to death those who proclaimed (about Christ), then how much more (could you put to death) Him. Here he presents them as disobedient to God, and the angels, and the prophets, and the Spirit, and everyone, as elsewhere Scripture says: “You have destroyed Your altars and killed Your prophets” (1 Kings 19:10). They, pretending to defend the law, said: “he spoke blasphemous words against Moses” (Acts 6:11); and he shows that they themselves even more blaspheme not only against Moses, but also against God, and that they have been doing this since ancient times; that they themselves violated customs that were no longer needed; that by accusing and calling him opposed to Moses, they themselves resisted the Spirit, and not simply, but even by committing murder, and that from ancient times they were at enmity (against God). Do you see how he proves that they resisted Moses and everyone and did not keep the law? Moses said: “The Lord... will raise up for you a prophet” (Deut. 18:15), and others predicted His coming; also the prophet says: “Where will you build a house for Me” (Is. 66:1)? And again: “Did you bring sacrifices and grain gifts to Me in the wilderness for forty years?” ( Amos 5:25 ) Such is the boldness of a man who bears the cross (of Christ)! Let us also imitate him; although now there is no war, there is always time for boldness. “And he spoke,” says (David), “of Your testimonies before kings, and was not ashamed” (Ps. 119:46) 21. Therefore, if we meet the Hellenes, we will stop their mouths in this way, but without anger, without bitterness. If we begin to do this with anger, then it seems that it will no longer be boldness, but passion; if it is meek, then this is true boldness, because both virtue and vice cannot be together at the same time. Boldness is a virtue, and anger is a vice. So, if we want to have boldness, we must be pure from anger, so that someone does not attribute (our) words to him. If you speak the truth, but with anger, then you have ruined everything, whether you reprove, or admonish, or do something else. Look at this husband (Stephen), how he talks without anger; after all, he did not insult them, but only reminded them of the prophetic word. And that he was not angry, he himself showed this when they tortured him, and he prayed for them and said: “Lord! Do not count this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). So he said this, not being angry with them, but regretting and grieving for them. And this is why the writer said about his face: “they saw his face like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15), so that it too could attract them. Let us be pure from anger. The Holy Spirit does not dwell where there is anger. The angry one is subject to damnation. And it is impossible for anything to be healthy where anger comes from. Just as during a storm at sea there is great confusion and loud shouting, and then no one has time to reason, so it is in anger. If the soul wants to say or learn something wise, then first it must be in a (quiet) haven. Don’t you notice how, when we want to talk about something necessary, we choose places far from noise, where there is peace and quiet, so that we don’t have to be entertained? If external noise entertains us, then even more so does internal turmoil. And if anyone begins to pray, he prays in vain if he does it in anger and irritation; if he speaks, he will be funny; will he become silent again; if he eats, he will harm himself; whether he drinks or not, whether he sits or stands, walks or sleeps, the same thing appears to him in his dreams. And what about such (people) is not disorderly? The eyes are disgusting; mouth – curved; body members are tense and shaking; the tongue is not bridled and does not spare anyone; the mind is crazy; indecent clothing; (in everything) a great disgrace! Look at the eyes of those who are raging, drunk and frantic (with anger): how do they differ from each other? Isn't there madness everywhere? But this always happens only for a while? It is true that a man who is furious is possessed (by anger) for a time. But what could be worse than this? And they are not ashamed to justify themselves: I didn’t realize it, they say that I said it. Why didn’t you, a rational being with reason, realize this? Why do you act like foolish animals, like a wild horse carried away by anger and rage? This is an excuse worthy of condemnation. It is advisable that you know what you said. These are words of anger, you say, not mine. What - anger? Anger has no power unless it receives it from you. It is as if someone said: these are the wounds of (my) hand, and not mine. Where does anger seem to be needed most, if not in war and during battle? But even there, if anything is done with anger, then everything will be spoiled and destroyed. Those who fight especially should not be angry; Attackers in particular don't need to get annoyed. But, you say, how else can you fight? Reasonable, calm. Combat is one side standing against the other. Don't you see that wars themselves are subject to law, order and time? And anger is nothing more than insane irritation; a madman cannot do anything reasonable. 4. So he (Stephen) said this, and was not angry. And Elijah said: “How long will you limp on both knees?” (1 Kings 18:21), but was not angry. And Phinehas committed murder, but was not angry. Anger does not allow you to see, but as if during a night battle, closing everything, both eyes and ears, it leads you where it wants. Let us rid ourselves of this demon, let us crush him when he attacks us, let us put a sign (of the cross) on his face, as if some kind of bridle on him. Anger is a shameless dog; but let him learn to obey the law. If the dog of the herd is so fierce that it will not obey the orders of the shepherd and recognize his voice, then all is lost and ruined. He grazes with the sheep; but when he begins to bite sheep, he becomes harmful and is killed. If the dog learns to obey you, then feed him: his barking is useful against wolves, robbers and thieves, and not against sheep and not against domestic ones. If he does not obey, then he harms everything, and if he does not pay attention to orders, then he ruins everything. So, let not your meekness be exhausted, but let anger itself preserve and nourish it; and he will preserve and shepherd it in complete safety when he destroys unclean and vicious thoughts, when he drives away the devil from everywhere. Thus, meekness is observed when we do not think anything bad against our neighbor; This is how we become worthy of respect when we do not learn to act shamelessly. Nothing makes one more shameless than a vicious conscience. Why are harlots shameless? Why are virgins shy? The first ones are not from sin? But aren’t the latter out of chastity? Nothing makes you feel more shameless than sin. On the contrary, they will say, does it produce shame? The truth is in the one who is aware of himself; and he makes the shameless even more impudent; He who is not self-aware becomes impudent. “With the coming,” says (the Wise), “the wicked comes contempt” (Prov. 18:3). The shameless is daring, and the daring is desperate. Do you want to know when meekness is exhausted? When her vicious thoughts are crushed. But, if it happens that this dog does not stand and bark loudly, then even then one should not despair. We have a sling and a stone, you know what I’m saying, we have a spear, a fence, and a gate where we can keep our thoughts pure. If a dog is affectionate towards sheep, but barks at strangers and is not sleepy, then these are good qualities of the dog. When he is hungry, even then he does not bite sheep, and when he is full, he does not spare wolves. So is anger. When he is irritated, he should not retreat from meekness; and when he is not irritated, he (must) rebel against his vicious thoughts, even if they beat him, not abandon him, but recognize him, and give no mercy to strangers, even if they caress him. The devil often caresses like a dog; but let everyone know that he is a stranger (to us). So we too will love virtue, even if it causes us sorrow; and let us turn away from vice, even if it gives us pleasure. Let us not be worse than dogs who do not run away (from their yard), even if they are beaten and tormented; but a stranger, even if he feeds them, is more likely to be harmed. Likewise, anger is useful when it rebels against strangers. What does the saying mean: “he who is angry with his brother without cause” (Matthew 5:22)? The same as: do not avenge yourself and do not repay with evil. If you see another dying, give him a helping hand; anger will no longer exist when you are free from attachment to yourself. David caught Saul, but did not become angry and did not thrust a spear, having the enemy in his hands (1 Samuel 26:7); but took revenge on the devil (with his meekness). Moses, seeing that a stranger was offending (a Jew), killed him; but when he offended his own, he did not do it; but he wanted to reconcile the brothers, but he divided them (Ex. 2:12). Although Scripture calls him the meekest man (Num. 12:3), however, anger was sometimes aroused in him. But we are not like that; when we need to show meekness, we are more ferocious than all animals; and when (we need) to be angry, then (we are) lazier and more careless than anyone else. Thus, by using our strength for things other than what we should, we waste our lives in vain, just as projectiles, when they are used one instead of another, all deteriorate. So, for example, if someone, having a sword, does not use it when it is necessary to use it, but acts with his hand, he will not achieve success; and on the contrary, if he uses a sword where he needs to act with his hand, he will ruin everything. Likewise, a doctor, if he does not cut where he should, but cuts where it is not necessary, then he spoils everything. Therefore, I beg you, let us use this weapon (anger) in due time. Anger is not a time when we need to help ourselves; and if you need to correct others, then you should especially use it to save others. Thus, by keeping ourselves from wrath everywhere, we will become like God and will be worthy of future blessings through the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, be glory, power, honor, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. These conversations were delivered by the saint in Constantinople in 400 or 401. 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