9 Wherefore the Lord watched over us for evil, and the Lord hath brought it upon us: for the Lord is righteous in all his works which he hath commanded us.
He calls his punishment “the swiftness of the Lord.” The Scripture often calls his patience “sleep.” Moreover, recalling the punishment, they affirm that the Lord is just. Indeed, it was because they had transgressed and did not want to be healed that he punished them. Then they humbly beg him, remembering the ancient freedom that their fathers enjoyed, when they were freed from the bitter servitude of Egypt.
[AD 458] Theodoret of Cyrus on Baruch 2:9