Law altar without gold = no Spirit of sonship yet; Korah preview

Cyril: …is the altar. For it needed, it needed measures for it, and very most ungrudging. For upon it they were also about to split and bring up portions of oxen, and whole-burnt-offerings, and bringings-up of sheep and goats consecrated to God. For this reason also a bronze grate and fire-pan for it, flesh-hooks and bowls, and all its vessels, so that they might be able, bringing in the need from themselves for the sacrifices according to law, not to be destroyed by the assaults of the all-eating fire. And a crown and the horns upon the corners we will add to the beauty of the shape. For nothing is graceless with the all-wise God. Yet, let us say that again already, fixing the exact mind upon the things oracled upon each. He has commanded an altar like and fitting for the sacrifices according to law, but nothing gold in it, just as indeed one would look down upon the ark, and again a lampstand and table, and the things around it.

Palladius: What then somehow is this also?

Cyril: For were we not saying, O Palladius, that the gold very well makes clear—as in understanding I mean—the superiority over all of the divine and unmixed nature, and the incomparable brightness?

Palladius: Thus it holds.

Cyril: Look then already: the altar of the worship according to law is altogether without gold, God somehow setting the matter as a riddle for us, and very clearly, that the law is least a provider of holy Spirit, and the power of the worship in type has not been honored with such a grace. For a spirit of slavery was upon Israel; and to us the gift has been distributed through Christ after the living-again from dead ones. For he breathed in, saying, ‘Receive holy Spirit.’ (John 20:22) Therefore also Paul was addressing those who have believed, ‘For you did not receive a spirit of slavery again unto fear, but you received a spirit of sonship, in which we cry, Abba the Father.’ (Exodus 27:1–8) And that the power of the worship according to law was not enriched with the share of the holy Spirit, and they have rather been given to those justified in faith, the wise John will confirm saying: ‘For holy Spirit was not yet, because Jesus was not yet glorified.’ (Romans 8:15) For Christ had not yet lived again; for then all but was human nature gilded with the Spirit, and with communion toward him. So then without gold, for this reason, he commanded the altar to become, as I at least think; and to run past the word upon the bronze, from which it had also been made, is not without loss, as it seems, for those loving to learn. For the testing would cut out something of the necessary things, just as what has been said wisely by someone, In every one who cares there is something superfluous.

Palladius: What then would you have to say also upon this again?

Cyril: Hear already; for by a vote from above the holy Writing says that the divine Aaron has been elected unto priest and leader. And Korah indeed and Dathan, and those around them—the wild multitude most readily running down upon the vote from above, and (John 7:39)