And it is not matter of surprise that in certain generations there have
existed prophets who, in the reception of divine influence,[500]
surpassed, by means of their stronger and more powerful [religious]
life, other prophets who were their contemporaries, and others also who
lived before and after them. And so it is not at all wonderful that
there should also have been a time when something of surpassing
excellence[501] took up its abode among the human race, and which was
distinguished above all that preceded or even that followed it. But
there is an element of profound mystery in the account of these things,
and one which is incapable of being received by the popular
understanding. And in order that these difficulties should be made to
disappear, and that the objections raised against the advent of Christ
should be answered—viz. that, “after so long a period of time, then, did
God now bethink himself of making men live righteous lives, but neglect
to do so before?”—it is necessary to touch upon the narrative of the
divisions [of the nations], and to make it evident why it was, that
“when the Most High divided the nations, when He separated the sons of
Adam, He set the bounds of the nations according to the number of the
angels of God, and the portion of the Lord was His people Jacob, Israel
the cord of His inheritance;”[502] and it will be necessary to state the
reason why the birth of each man took place within each particular
boundary, under him who obtained the boundary by lot, and how it rightly
happened that “the portion of the Lord was His people Jacob, and Israel
the cord of His inheritance,” and why formerly the portion of the Lord
was His people Jacob, and Israel the cord of His inheritance. But with
respect to those who come after, it is said to the Saviour by the
Father, “Ask of me, and I will give Thee the heathen for Thine
inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy
possession.”[503] For there are certain connected and related reasons,
bearing upon the different treatment of human souls, which are difficult
to state and to investigate.[504]
Footnote 500:
ἐν τῇ παραδοχῇ τῆς θειότητος.
Footnote 501:
ἐξαίρετον τί χρῆμα.
Footnote 502:
Deut. xxxii. 8, 9 (according to the LXX.).
Footnote 503:
Cf. Ps. ii. 8.
Footnote 504:
Εἰσὶ γάρ τινες εἱρμοὶ καὶ ἀκολουθίαι ἄφατοι καὶ ἀνεκδιήγητοι περὶ τῆς
κατὰ τὰς ἀνθρωπίνας ψυχὰς διαφόρου οἰκονομίας.