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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Then, speaking also to their sense of shame, "Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than He?" i.e., "Are we tempting Him, whether He is able to punish us, and irritating Him by going over to the adversaries and taking our stand with His enemies?" And this he said, reminding them of an ancient history and of their fathers' transgression. Wherefore also he makes use of this expression, which Moses likewise of old used against the Jews, accusing them of idolatry in the person of God. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
He says this as a reproach to them. Are we really to test and provoke God, whether He can punish us when we go over to the side of His enemies? Then, in order to show the full absurdity of their behavior, he says: "Are we stronger than He?" – recalling thereby the very sharp saying: "They have provoked Me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have moved Me to anger with their vanities" (Deut. 32:21).
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