comforted, because they are not.’481 Therefore, on account of the voice which would be
heard from Ramah, i.e., from Arabia (for there is in Arabia at this very time a place called
Rama), wailing would come on the place where Rachel the wife of Jacob called Israel, the
holy patriarch, has been buried, i.e., on Bethlehem; while the women weep for their own
slaughtered children, and have no consolation by reason of what has happened to them.
For that expression of Isaiah, ‘He shall take the power of Damascus and spoils of Samaria,’
foretold that the power of the evil demon that dwelt in Damascus should be overcome by
Christ as soon as He was born; and this is proved to have happened. For the Magi, who were
held in bondage482 for the commission of all evil deeds through the power of that demon,
by coming to worship Christ, shows that they have revolted from that dominion which held
them captive; and this [dominion] the Scripture has showed us to reside in Damascus.
Moreover, that sinful and unjust power is termed well in parable, Samaria.483 And none of
you can deny that Damascus was, and is, in the region of Arabia, although now it belongs
to what is called Syrophœnicia. Hence it would be becoming for you, sirs, to learn what you
have not perceived, from those who have received grace from God, namely, from us Chris-
tians; and not to strive in every way to maintain your own doctrines, dishonouring those
of God. Therefore also this grace has been transferred to us, as Isaiah says, speaking to the
following effect: ‘This people draws near to Me, they honour Me with their lips, but their
heart is far from Me; but in vain they worship Me, teaching the commands and doctrines
of men. Therefore, behold, I will proceed484 to remove this people, and I shall remove them;
and I shall take away the wisdom of their wise men, and bring to nothing the understanding
of the prudent men.’ ”485
481 Jer. xxxi. 15.
482 Literally, “spoiled.”
483 Justin thinks the “spoils of Samaria” denote spoils of Satan; Tertull. thinks that they are spoils of Christ.
484 Literally, “add.”
485 Isa. xxix. 13, 14.
635
Chapter LXXVIII.—He proves that this prophecy harmonizes with Christ alone,…