For the LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob, as the excellence of Israel: for the plunderers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.
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Cyril of Alexandria
AD 444
Keep watch on the road, gird your loins, summon your strength to the utmost, because the Lord has turned aside the abuse of Jacob, like the abuse of Israel. As though speaking to people on their way to Judea and due to reach home, he necessarily states the need now to have an eye to the road and gird their loins, that is, to be equipped and ready for the hardship of traveling, to overcome all lethargy, and to prove superior to long delays by applying irrepressible enthusiasm. Having one’s loins girt and, so to speak, decent is a sign of readiness; our Lord Jesus Christ, for instance, says to the holy apostles, or rather also to all who believe in him, “Take your place with loins girt.” It is in fact the right and proper way to travel for those preaching the divine Gospel and being ready to proceed in that direction. He therefore says, gird your loins, meaning, “be ready and equipped for departure,” for the Lord has turned aside the abuse of Jacob, like the abuse of Israel. Note once ag...
Hath rendered the pride of Jacob: He hath punished Jacob for his pride; and therefore Ninive must not expect to escape. Or else, rendering the pride of Jacob means rewarding, that is, punishing Ninive for the pride they exercised against Jacob.
