THE WISDOM; WHO CAN APPREHEND IT? ‘Job’ starts this final talk by proclaiming that God is the Creator, who alone has the wisdom; that His creation reveals His exalted wisdom; and that the role of man, as far as the wisdom is concerned, is to fear the Lord, and to keep away from evil. The tune of this chapter differs completely from that of the other chapters, in that in it we can see a prominent amount of natural and literal philosophy. This chapter is considered the oldest document of natural history in the world. In which we see him demonstrate: 1- How man seeks and labors to search the worldly wealth. He searches for the treasures hidden underground in mines; for what the birds and beasts would not reach. 2- As far the wisdom is concerned, he says that generally, it is of great price, of an immeasurable value, and its place is securely hidden. There is wisdom of God, whose place is known by no one but him; and there is a wisdom proclaimed to men. We should not seek the former, and strive to acquire the later; Wisdom is a very precious gift. Whoever acquires the wisdom would be richer and happier than him who acquires gold and precious stones. Through the obedience to God, and the enjoyment of the fear of the Lord, man can acquire the wisdom, necessary to discern between good and evil, to recognize what is true and sound, to worship God and to lean upon Him. “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding” (Job 28: 28). That is the wisdom that God made as the portion of man. 1- The divine wisdom surpasses the human thought 1 – 6 2- The exalted secret of Christ 7 – 11 3- Where to find wisdom! 12 – 14 4- How great is wisdom! 15 – 19 5- The hidden wisdom of God 20 – 26 1- THE DIVINE WISDOM SURPASSES THE HUMAN THOUGHT: “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold to be refined” (Job 28: 1) Men strive to know the secrets of nature; and manage to discover the precious minerals, as gold and silver. For the sake of riches, man labors hard; But foolishly, he does not care enough to recognize the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. For the sake of temporal riches, and of curiosity and knowledge, he searches for what is buried underground, But he does not search for the salvation of his own soul, and his eternal glory. “There is a place for silver to be taken, and a place for gold to be refined; Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from ore” (1-2 LXX). By this he means that, besides setting a special system for the general issues, God also set a system for the human ones, which He Himself foresees and for which He cares. Nothing happens haphazardly. He also means that, although establishing the natural facts is obviously seen, Yet God’s plan is unseen. The places of silver and cupper may be well known, But that of the wisdom is unknown to anyone, except to God who says to man: “Piety is wisdom; and doing good is understanding”. St. John Chrysostom 2 As Silver is mostly refined, So is the righteous, to become a coin for the Lord, with the royal image. Solomon proclaims: “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, refined by fire” (Proverbs 10: 20); Meaning that the teaching which is tested, and whose wisdom is well established, is commended and well received; is refined on the ground, when the soul of the Gnostic (the spiritual man with knowledge) is sanctified by several means; Whereas the body in which this soul dwells, would be purified and has the purity befitting for a holy temple. St. Clement of Alexandria Pope Gregory the Great presents to us a symbolic interpretation for this phrase, that if man searches for silver and gold among the rocks, It would be fitting for preachers to labor incessantly to acquire the spiritual silver, namely, “the pure word of God, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psalm 12: 6); and the gold, that refers to the heavenly, wise, and splendid way of life. The Pope discerns between the true preaching that offers the pure silver and gold of the holy books, interpreted according to the thoughts of the fathers, as lived by the early church, and that of the heretics, who offer neither silver nor gold refined by fire, but their own teachings, intended for the sake of their own human honor and glory. “Silver is found in the veins (of rocks), and for gold there is a place to be refined1” (1). Silver refers to the power of words, and gold to the splendor of life, or the splendor of wisdom As though he obviously says: Who prepares himself for words of true preaching, is committed to extract the sources of his material from the holy books, setting everything he says upon a divine foundation, for the benefit of his listeners. The heretics, on the other hand, mostly seek to support what they present of wrong issues of their own, upon unauthentic sources they claim to take from the holy books. That is why the great preacher Paul advises his disciple Timothy, saying: “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and vain babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge” (1 Timothy 6: 20). Longing to be glorified as clever and wise thinkers, the heretics present new issues that did not come from the old books of the fathers; casting the seeds of ignorance to their miserable listeners. It is as though he clearly says: [The true wisdom for the believers, has its place in the catholic church, who, although suffering from troubles coming from you, and from your persecution against her, Yet she is purified from the impurities of all the sins by the fire of your persecution; according to what is written: “Gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation” (Sirach 2: 5)]. The apostle Paul teaches us, saying: “Though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Timothy 13: 3). Some may have wrong thoughts about God; And others, although they may have true thoughts about the Creator, Yet they do not keep the unity with their brethren. The former would be cut off the church, because of their wrong faith; and the later would be cut off because of their dissension. That is why the foremost part of the ten commandments came against the sin of both parties, uttered by the divine voice, saying: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your 1التزمت بالنصوص الواردة في كتابات البابا غریغوریوس كما هي. 3 heart, with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6: 5; Mark 12: 30-31)) ,and then directly added: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. He who wrongly believes concerning God, surely do not love God; And he who, although having true concepts concerning God, Yet he splits open the unity of the holy church, obviously do not love his neighbor. Pope Gregory the Great “The words of the Lord are pure words” (Psalm 12: 6) “pure” of the impurities of fake appearance; As there are many who preach the truth, yet unpurified, for the sake of getting temporal benefit1. St. Augustine (Dissension) is a weapon of Satan, by which he turns everything upside down. As long as the body is intact without dissension, Satan would have no gap through which he can enter. Dissension comes from those thoughts not conforming to the teachings of the apostles, that come in turn from the servitude of some to their belly and other lusts About whom Paul wrote to the Philippians, saying: ”Whose god is their belly” (Philippians 3: 19) 2. St. John Chrysostom It is befitting for every preacher, and for every believer, to present gold and silver from God; namely, His exalted heavenly peace; not the peace of the mortal world; to present God the Savior, the true Peace. Peace would be your gold, your silver, your earth, and your life; Your God is Peace. Peace would be yours in everything you may desire3. St. Augustine Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore” (Job 28: 2) Although greater labor is needed for the extraction of silver and gold, than for the extraction of iron and copper, Yet the later two are of more benefit to man; And because of their more abundance, they are much cheaper than silver and gold. Man can live without silver and gold, but it would be very difficult for him, especially nowadays, to live without iron and copper. It is the great wisdom of God that makes what is essential for the life of man, more abundant, and easier to extract, than what is for his luxury and mere pleasure. Pope Gregory the Great believes that the extraction of all these minerals: silver, gold, iron, and copper, from earth and stones, is a reference to the role of the saintly men of God – different in their spiritual level, their role in the preaching work, and their testimony to God; to extract things of value from earth and stones. We have been all, earth and stones, preoccupied with temporal things, then, the grace of God set out of us witnesses to God, who enjoy fellowship in the divine nature, of love, compassion, meekness, humility, purity, holiness, etc. These are all not from us, but are gifts of God, freely given to the believers, who are serious in seeking the salvation of their souls and of the souls of their brethren in humanity. 1On Ps 12. 2 In Rom. hom 32. 3On Ps 37. 4 “Iron is taken from the earth” (2). Those powerful men who, by their tongues sharper than swords, have become like iron in this fierce battle for the defense of faith; have been before “earth”, concerning lowly works! When man errs, It is said to him: “You are dust, and to dust you will return”. But “Iron is taken from the earth” when the firm church warrior separates himself from the earthly behavior. ‘Matthew’ has been before a tax-collector, preoccupied with earthly things; Yet, taken out of the earth, he was given the strength of iron, and was committed by God to preaching the gospel, to tear apart the non-believers by a tongue as sharp as an iron sword. He, who was before, weak and preoccupied with earthly works, became strong by the heavenly preaching. “And stone is smelted by fire to become copper1”. The hard and cold hearts are smelted by fire, when they get in contact with the fire of the divine love that pours into that of the flaring spirit; then it would have the life flared hot in work. As much as he was before hard in his love for the world, he would become strong in his love for God. Pope Gregory the Great St. Gregory the Nezenzian believes that the thought of the pious believer is like iron extracted from rocks and stones. They are like the iron extracted from flint fire radiates from gold rich finalist to light, the small spark that can form inside the flame of the right quickly2. St. Gregory the Nezenzian Speaking about the resurrection of the body, St. Cyril of Jerusalem says that it becomes like iron heated by fire; although it is the same body we have in this life, Yet, it will acquire a fiery nature fit for eternity. Concerning that, Paul openly says: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15: 53). Therefore this same body will be resurrected, will put on incorruption, and will become newly conformed. And as iron by mixing with fire becomes fire; according to the Lord who resurrects us: This body will be resurrected, but will not stay the same as it is now. It will be become an eternal body that needs no nutrition to sustain it as it is now, nor stairs to ascend, as it will be spiritual. It is actually an amazing subject we are unworthy to discuss; and about which it is written in the gospel of Matthew the Evangelist: “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13: 43); and, “like the brightness of the firmament” (Daniel 12: 3) 3. St. Cyril of Jerusalem “Man put an end to darkness, and searches every recess for ore in the darkness and the shadow of death” (Job 28: 3) ‘Job’ says that man, in order to search for minerals in the dark mines underground, uses torches to scatter the darkness; and risks his life to reach his goal. 1التزمت بالنصوص الواردة في كتابات البابا غریغوریوس كما هي. 2Oration 2. In Defense of His Flight to Pontus, 40. 3 Catech. Lectures 18:18. 5 Those who have no experience in the profession of mining, may not appreciate the hard labor and risk of death that the miners face, and may even consider them unwarranted. It is the same when some see God extract, from our earth and stones, minerals that are precious in His sight; Unaware of God’s plan, they may consider Him as entering into the darkness, and searching for things of little value! In other words, It is befitting for us to trust in God’s plan, care, and work for our sake; That, because of His prior knowledge of the glories we shall enjoy, He presents to us salvation, whatever the cost may be; He sees gold, silver, iron, and copper, in our earth and stones; and according to the apostle: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5: 8). “He puts the darkness in its place” (3). As though he also says: “He puts the human mind in its place”. As darkness knows when to retract its paces and quenches itself (before sun rise) He admonishes us not to bring God into account, saying: ‘Why should there be darkness?’ Don’t you know that He is the Almighty, who does everything with wisdom? St. John Chrysostom “He put certain limitation for darkness; And He Himself searches everything and everyone1” (3). He put limitation to darkness; namely to the wicked, to stop being wicked; to whom the apostle says: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5: 8). And to other disciples the great apostle says: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the day” (Romans 13: 12, 13).. In the Book of the Song of Songs, it came about the coming of the church: “Who is this that looks forth like the morning?” (Songs 6: 10). The church here is likened to the morning; namely, by the knowledge of faith, she transforms from the darkness of sins to the splendor of the light of righteousness. By doing and ordaining what is good, and not what is evil, God restrains the wicked, to keep things from turning to the worse; by searching the end of everything and everyone, by enduring everything with longsuffering, and by foreseeing, how evil, as far as the elect are concerned, turns into good. Foreseeing how far Saul would go in his persecution of the church, God let him fall to the ground, and say: “Lord, What do You want me to do? (Acts 9: 6). And foreseeing how far the people of Nineveh would go in their rebellion, God let them practice repentance. And foreseeing how far the people of Sodom and Gomorrah would go in their wickedness, He ordained for their lust to burn by fire and brimstone. And foreseeing the darkness of evil with which the Gentiles were preoccupied, He ordained for them a day to enjoy the splendor of the light of faith. Pope Gregory the Great God, the amazing Creator, created the earth, and on it the reptiles and beasts. He created man from its dust; and he still is a new nature worthy of the eternal life. 1التزمت بالنصوص الواردة في كتابات البابا غریغوریوس كما هي. 6 From one and the same earth, the reptiles, the fierce beasts, and the mild flocks come; the trees grow, and gold, silver, iron, copper, and stones are found1! St. Cyril of Jerusalem “He breaks open a shaft away from people; In places forgotten by feet, they hang far away from men; They swing to and fro” (Job 28: 4) In the writings of Pope Gregory the Great, it came as: “The rocks of the darkness and the shadow of the valley of the (sweeping flood), they break away from the people”.Seen by some, digging in rocky uninhabited terrain, they are ridiculed as fools searching for underground water in vain. The same way, the Jews ridiculed God’s work for salvation; and the apostles’ preaching among the heathen nations; likening them to those who dig mines in rocky terrain, where there is no water, nor goal or hope. How were the Jewish people, cruelly, and violently refusing faith, long proclaimed for them by the prophecies, but “rocks of darkness”?! And by the valley of the “sweeping flood”, he probably refers to the fulfillment through the holy preaching, as expressed by Solomon: “The eye that mocks his father, and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of the valley (of the sweeping flood) will pick it out” (Proverbs 30: 17). The wicked, who find wrong in God’s ordinances, are mocking their Father; and the heretics of every kind, who scorns the Preaching of the holy church, and ridicule her fruit, are scorning the sufferings of their mother. It is not strange to call the church their mother, as from her came her adversaries, as testified by St. John, saying: “They went out of us, but they were not of us; For if they had been of us, they would have continued with us” (1 John 2: 10). Yet “The ravens of the valley” will come to avenge the true preachers who defend the holy church, by the waters of the rivers of the holy books. Pope Gregory the Great “As for the earth, out of it comes bread; But underneath it is turned up as by fire” (Job 28: 5) Some believe that, through the wisdom of the Creator, the same earth that provides us with the wheat on which we feed, provides us as well with the petroleum, as a source of energy. Others believe that ‘Job’ here, refers to Sodom and Gomorrah, whose land was very fertile and productive to feed a multitude of people; before it, through the wickedness of their inhabitants, turned into a furnace of fire and brimstone. While others still believe, that he talks about man’s strife to extract minerals from underground mines; turning the earth, from producing food for multitudes, into mines, where many perish, because of the risks of working in such unpredictable and dangerous atmosphere, that sometimes turn into a furnace of underground fire. Pope Gregory the Great believes that this is a prophecy about the land of Judea that, instead of testifying to the Lord and preaching Him when He came, to present to the world the Bread of Life; On account of the envy of the Jewish leadership, it turned into a hidden fire destructive to the souls: “The earth that should produce the bread, is turned up by fire” (5). The children of perdition in Judea, who were preoccupied with giving 1 Catech. Lectures 9:10. 7 bread to the people; namely, with providing them with the words of the law; became incapable of interpreting the law; And on them the prophet Jeremiah laments, saying: “The young children ask for bread, But no one breaks it for them” (Lamentation 4: 4). “The earth, that should produce bread, is turned up by fire”, by the burning coal of envy, when they saw the signs performed by our Savior, and said: “What shall we do, for this Man works many signs” (John 11: 47) “Look, the world has gone after Him” (John 12: 19). Pope Gregory the Great “Its stones are the source of sapphires, and it contains gold dust” (Job 28: 6) It was fitting for the religious leaderships of Judea to present Christ, the Bread of Life; to become by that, living stones in the temple of the Lord, stones of blue Sapphire (which is next to diamond in value), namely, to bear the heavenly feature; and their dust to turn into gold, namely, to turn the earthly into heavenly people. Some believe that God with His exalted wisdom, intended for the precious minerals like silver, gold, and petroleum, to be concealed underground, or within the stones; so that man would not concentrate his sight on them, but tread on them with his feet; And that he would instead raise his eyes up to heaven, and attach his heart to God1. “Its stones are the source of sapphires, and it contains gold dust) (6). Stones refer to the minds of the mighty saints, as addressed by Peter, saying: “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2: 5). And as promised by the Lord to the church to come, saying through the prophet: “Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the Lord” (Isaiah 54: 11-13). He sets its stones according to a certain system; discerning the holy souls according to their worthiness…. “lays its foundations with sapphires”, bearing the color of heaven; Namely, the might of the church would be set in the souls that seek the heavenly things. And, as it would shine by faith in the splendor of the exalted life, he adds: “It contains gold dust” But, because this golden shine Got dimmed by the darkness of lack of faith, the prophet Jeremiah lamented its blackness, saying: “How the gold has become dim! How the fine gold has changed!” (Lamentations 4: 1). The old splendor of faith has become dim, and the innocence turned into a night of evil. Pope Gregory the Great 2- THE EXALTED SECRET OF CHRIST: “That path no bird knows, Nor has the falcon’s eyes seen it” (Job 28: 7) If it is within man’s ability to exploit the earth, to provide him with grains for his food, and to extract from its belly and its rocks silver, gold, precious stones, and petroleum; Yet, there is another gem, not given except to him who seeks it; namely, the possibility to recognize the divine secrets; and in particular, those of the divine incarnation, and of salvation. However man enjoys of sharp sight, like that of eagles, and other birds of prey, he would not be able to see the divine things on his own. 1 Cf. Matthew Henery Commentary. 8 He mentioned the birds of prey, on account of that they fly very high in search of food, can spot their prey, dive down to it like lightening, then fly back to their nests, without losing their way. According to an interpretation of this phrase in the Chaldean ‘Tergom’, Satan, flying like a bird of prey, could not see nor recognize the ‘tree of life’; Eve, as well, could not look at it, and the serpent could not approach it1. Some2 believe that those preoccupied with extracting the precious minerals possess eyes as sharp as those of the eagle, with which they can detect their locations, and dig after them. To acquire riches and wealth, nothing keep man from digging deep in the earth to extract precious minerals; And to acquire food, nothing keep the mighty lions from finding their ways through the forests and wilderness to hunt for preys for themselves and their young; And the high altitudes would not hinder the birds of prey from spotting their food. Yet, the secrets of the divine wisdom remain hidden from sight of man without the exalted grace of God. While the human wisdom is a natural gift given by God according to levels befitting to each man, by whom one is recognized from another; The divine wisdom, on the other hand, is a gift given to him who covets it and faithfully seeks it. The wisdom of this world differs from that of God. While God’s wisdom is true, and would never be corrupted; that of the world is foolish. Because of the simplicity of the divine wisdom, the believers who get it may be counted as foolish in the sight of the world3. The scholar Origen Paul says that the true wisdom of God teaches harmony with the Lord; and is to be granted by the Son4. St. Clement of Alexandria “The (young) wild beasts have not trodden it; The lion has not passed over it” (Job 28: 8) The young lion walks like a king, proudly among the forests and the wilderness, knows their hidden ways, and nothing can come between it and its prey. So are those who work in the mining industry, who dig paths not trodden by wild beasts, nor even by a lion. He who intends to acquire the wisdom of God “The exalted secret of Christ”, walks by the Holy Spirit, along a unique path that no one can tread on his own, Even if he is a great king of exalted authority and mighty power. Our Christ is the Way, Walking along it, we become like spiritual lions, kings, and priests for God His Father (Revelation1: 6). Paul mentions three kinds of wisdom (1 Corinthians 1: 20-25), the first one, the wisdom of God, or the wisdom of the cross, called ‘foolishness’ by the world, is greater than the other two. A second kind is the natural wisdom granted to man, by 1 Cf. Adam Clarke Commentary. 2 Barne's Notes. 3 Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1: 7: 1-7. 4 Stromata 1: 90: 1. 9 which we reason, work, discover, and make progress. Then there is a third kind of wisdom, by which we meditate in creation. Although the last two, may lead man to the Creator, Yet it is only the first kind of wisdom counted by the world as ‘foolishness’, which is granted to us by the Savior, that we may have salvation1. Father Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus By the teaching of the Savior, being the power and the wisdom of God, we do not need any other help2. St. Clement of Alexandria “He puts his hand on the flint; He overturns the mountains at the roots” (Job 28: 9) Talking about the exalted secret of Christ, being the Wisdom of God, ‘Job’ saw wonder; He saw the Lord Christ in His love, might, and wisdom, stretches His arms on the cross to embrace the Gentile nations, who have been like solid flint, “to set out of the rocks, children of Abraham”; namely, children of faith. Before Him no foundations of mighty mountains; namely, no men of temporal authority, could stand. By the simplicity of the cross, the Wisdom of God, counted as ‘foolishness’ by the heathen world, and as ‘offense’ by the Jews, the lord caught the philosophers and those of authority; according to the apostle Paul: “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise; And God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; And the base things of the world, and the things which are despised, God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are” (1 Corinthians 1: 27-28). The philosophers could not realize what few illiterate men did; namely, to bring the whole world back to God. By talking about things of little importance, the philosophers could only convince a minority; whereas, by talking about God, righteousness, and judgment, the apostles could convince a huge multitude3. By human standards, It would be impossible for simple fishermen to bring overcome philosophers; And yet, that is what actually happened by the grace of God4. St. John Chrysostom “He puts His hand on the flint; He overturns the mountains at the roots” (9).He puts His hand on the flint; by stretching the arm of His preaching to the hardness of the Gentiles. Prophesying that the Gentiles will get to know God, the blessed ‘Job’ says: “Oh, that my words were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever!” (Job 19: 24). How could the mountains here mean, other than those with authority in this world, who are puffed up because of their vain earthly being? About whom the Psalmist say: “O Lord, touch the mountains, and they shall smoke” (Psalm 144: 5). 1 Theodoret of Cyrus: Commentary on, Corinthians, 171. 2 Stromata 1: 100: 1. 3Homilies on Corinthians, homily 4: 6. 4 Ibid, 5: 5. 10 The “roots” of the mountains are their deep haughty thoughts; The Mountains will be overturned at the roots, as the worship of God would bring down to earth the rulers of the world, and destroy their lowly thoughts. Pope Gregory the Great The Book of the Song of songs lifts the bride up to the highest summit of glory, by giving her the name “The fountain of living waters” flowing from Lebanon. The Holy Book, to teach us about the life-giving nature of God, as a prophecy, says: “They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters” (Jeremiah 2: 13); And the Lord Christ says to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink’, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” (John 4:10); Then He adds: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’. This He spoke concerning the Spirit whom those believing in Him would receive” (John 7; 37-39). As all these quotations indicate that the living water is the holy Nature, it is truly fitting for the Song to call the bride “A fountain of living water flowing from Lebanon”. Although this contradicts with the well known fact that the waters of wells (or the fountains) are a deep well, that continually flow! Who is able and is worthy to understand the wonders granted to the bride – the human soul, or the church of Christ -- will know that she has reached the climax of her hopes: Her beauty is compared to the eternal beauty from which every beauty has evolved; her fountain to that of her Groom; Her life to His; And that by her water, His living word, every soul that receives Him will live. These waters flow from the Lord – the Fountain of the living water, “For I proceeded forth, and came from God” (John 8: 42). By possessing that fountain, we came to be in a fellowship with God, to realize the commandment of the Wisdom (Proverbs 5: 17, 18), to drink water from our own fountain, and not from any other, to enjoy that in Christ, our Lord, to whom is the glory and might, forever, Amen1. St. Gregory of Nyssa “He cuts out channels in the rocks; And His eye sees every precious thing” (Job 28: 10) ‘Job’ stands in awe before the might and love of the Savior, who grants man, who became as hard as rock, to have inside him fountains of living water; And at the same time, He does not despise, nor condemn him for having such a rocky heart, but looks at him as a living icon of Himself, very precious in His eyes; He takes away from man the hardness of his rocky heart, and replaces it by one full of love. Some take into consideration those miners, in order to expose the (veins) of minerals they intend to extract. They usually cut out channels of water in the rocks “He cuts out channels of water in the rocks”. He cuts out channels of preaching in the hard hearts of the Gentile. In the same way, the prophet prophesying about the fulfillment of the wilderness of the Gentiles, says: “He turns a wilderness into Pools of water, And dry land into water . 1 نشید الأناشید للقدیس غریغوریوس أسقف نیصص، تعریب الدكتور جورج نوّار، عظة 9 11 springs” (Psalm 107: 35); And the Lord promises in the Gospel: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7: 38); A promise that is already realized. Don’t you see how the saintly preachers have flowed like a fountain from Judea through the catholic church dispersed all over the world, as channels for the heavenly commandments, that abundantly flow from the mouths of the Gentiles? That is realized because He has cut out channels of water in the rocks, and let a river of holy preaching flow from the hard hearts. “And His eye sees every precious thing” (10). It should be taken into consideration, that every individual soul, as much as she despises herself for the sake of her love for the Truth, is counted precious in the sight of God: “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel?” (1 Samuel 15; 17); on the contrary, He who counts himself as very precious, is belittled in the sight of God: “who regards the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar” (Psalm 138: 6). In the Holy Book, the expression “God sees” is sometimes used instead of “God chooses”. “Because it chooses the humble". “God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong" (1 Cor 27:1). “He sees every precious thing”, when He visited the human soul despising herself, and enjoying the enlightenment of His grace; About this soul, it is said by the prophet: “If you take out the precious from the vile, you shall be as My mouth” (Jeremiah 15: 19). For to God, the present world is vile, whereas to Him the human soul is very precious. Whoever separates the precious from the vile is called “as God’s mouth”; As to such a man, God gives His words. Pope Gregory the Great The Holy Spirit is the River that flows – according to the Epistle to the Hebrews – from Christ to the lands; which we accepted, as prophesied by the mouth of Isaiah (66; 12). This great River that perpetually and incessantly flows, is not a single one, but one of many streams, about which David says: “A river whose streams shall make glad the city of God” (Psalm 46: 4). The heavenly Jerusalem is not watered by an earthly river, but by the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Source of life; The stream that comes from Him who fulfills us, seems to flow abundantly among the heavenly thrones, the principalities, the hosts, the angels, and the archangels, bringing over the greatest portion of the seven virtues of the Spirit1. St. Ambrose What does the Lord Christ mean by the “heart” in His saying: “He who believes in Me,(as the Scripture said), Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7: 38)? Where in the Holy Scripture, this is said of someone else? “He who believes in me, as the Scripture said…” is a confirmation that it is said about Christ. Many have said: “This is Christ”, and others said: “When Christ comes, will he do more wonders?” This demonstrates the need for the right knowledge, and for the conviction, not through the wonders, but from the Scripture itself. He already said: “Search the Scripture” (John 5: 39); “It is written in the prophets”; “They shall be all taught by God” (John 6: 45); and “Moses will accuse you” 1Of the Holy Spirit 1:16:177-178. 12 (John 5: 45); And here He says: “As it is written in the Scripture, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”, hinting to its greatness and abundance In another location He called it “eternal life’; while here He calls it “rivers of living water”. The grace of the Spirit, entering into the mind and dwelling there, will flow more than any fountain. It will never stop, and will never fail. Giving unfailing help, and, at the same time, giving an unfailing energy, He calls it ‘a fountain’ and ‘rivers’, not a single river, but many. One can appreciate what that means, if he takes into consideration the wisdom of Steven, the eloquence of Peter, and the zeal Of Paul1. St. John Chrysostom Which, of all the living beings, was created in the image of God, but man? To which of the living beings, the authority over nature and all its creatures, was given, to become his own, but man? What a great honor to crown his forehead, and to exalt him to heaven, above the stars, and the sun, in haughtiness and dignity! Although his rank is lower than that of the angels - being bound to a material body - Yet he is granted the power to conceive and to recognize his God and Creator2. St. Basil the Great “He dams up the streams from trickling; what is hidden He brings forth to light” (Job 28: 11) A poetic expression of God’s care toward man; Beside supporting man by giving him knowledge of the minerals hidden underground; God protects his life from the dangers of this risky practice. Cutting out channels of water in the rocks, any seepage or trickling, may bring down the walls or the ceiling of the mine over his head. To protect him against this danger, God “dams up the streams from trickling (seepage)”. Pope Gregory the great presents a symbolic interpretation of these channels or streams of water; seeing in them the abundance of the teachings of the early fathers. “He searches the depths of the great flood; and what is hidden He brings forth to light3” (11). What are these so-called ‘Great flood” but the sayings of the early fathers? Who can appreciate the great abundance of teaching flowing from the chest of Moses, as he presents the law? From the chest of David? From the lips of Solomon, Or from those of all the prophets? Pope Gregory the Great 3- WHERE CAN WISDOM BE FOUND? “But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28: 12) If the treasures of minerals are hidden underground; How much more would be the wisdom of God. Who can know on his own where it can be found? And from where can he acquire the true understanding? Wisdom is the treasure hidden in the gospel, which no man can enjoy it; unless, on him, God shines with His light, to reveal to him the secret of the word. 1Hom 51. PG 59:300-301. 2Hom. In Ps 48, 8, PG 29:450 b. 3التزمت بالنصوص الواردة في كتابات البابا غریغوریوس كما هي. 13 The true wisdom is the gospel, the way to salvation through the cross of Christ1. St. John Chrysostom “Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living” (Job 28: 13) Wisdom is the second Person of Deity, “The Wisdom of God”. While we are still in the body, we cannot conceive the depth of the secret of the Wisdom, and recognize the Person of the Wisdom; As He, who is in the bosom of the God the Father, incarnated to encounter with us, and we with Him in our world. Saying: “We speak God’s wisdom in a mystery” (1 Corinthians 2: 7), Paul does not mean that he utters secret things and riddles; But that the message he preaches “was hidden before the ages”2. Father Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus Wisdom could not be found within a certain time or place; as being within a certain time means that it is created! How could it be as such, when it has been since the beginning? And how could it be within a certain place, that which was always with God? In case someone searches for the Only-begotten Son; According to the evangelic sense, He is in the bosom of God the Father. Do you think that the bosom of the Father is a place? Do you seek to know how Wisdom was born; when the prophet says: “Man does not know its value” (Job 28: 13)? Do you think its origin is in mankind; when ‘Job’ says: “It is not found in the land of the living”. Do you refer death to Wisdom; about which “The deep says ‘it is not in me’, and the sea says, ‘It is not with me” (Job28: 14) 3. St. Ambrose Paul testifies (1 Corinthians 2: 7), that he is sent to proclaim the secret of wisdom, unknown to the rulers of this world, hence called fools. God’s wisdom is hidden, because it is not words, but power, impossible to talk about in human terms, But to believe in it by the power of the Spirit4. Father Amroseaster “(Wisdom) is not found in the land of those living in pleasure5” (13). The ‘land’ here refers to the soul of man. The Psalmist says: “My soul longs for you like a thirsty land” (Psalm 143: 6). It could not be found in the land of those living in pleasure; as he who still feeds on the pleasures of this life, would be deprived of conceiving the eternal wisdom. Pope Gregory the Great “The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; And the sea says, ‘It is not with me” (Job 28: 14) It is as though, nature, with all its beauties and possibilities, is debating man and drawing his attention to the Creator as the source of the true wisdom; so as not to seek it in nature, in books, nor in events, but only from God Himself. 1Homilies on Corinthians, homily 7: 1. 2 Theodoret of Cyrus: Commentary on. Corinth., 175. 3 The Sacrament of Incarnation of our Lord, 4: 42. 4 Commentary on Paul's Epistles (1 Cor. 2: 7). 5التزمت بالنصوص الواردة في كتابات البابا غریغوریوس كما هي. 14 St. Augustine believes that God made wisdom hidden, not intending to deprive us from it, But to make us long to get it more seriously1. “The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; And the sea says, ‘It is not with me;” (14). The Holy Book often personalizes irrational things, like saying for example: The sea says “It is not with me” “The deep says It is not in me’”, “The heaven declares the glory of God” (Psalm 19: 1), “Awake, O sword …”, or when asking the mountains “why they skipped like rams” (Psalm 114: 6), etc2. Pope Gregory the Nezenzian When ‘Job’ was asked about where to find the true wisdom, and he answered: “The deep says, It is not in me’”; he does not refer to where it is found, but rather to where it is not! Again when he said that it cannot be valued by man (15), “It cannot be purchased for Gold”; he does not reveal what is its price, but rather what is not! Namely, it is obvious to everyone that wisdom is not to be found anywhere, nor to be purchased for any riches. But a holy man, full of thoughts of mystery, would set forth with us to discover other things; not to seek a created wisdom, but to seek Wisdom the Creator. As, unless we search the hidden symbolic depths in these words, all what is uttered would be of no value, if interpreted only from the historical aspect. Therefore, what is the wisdom meditated by such a saintly man, but what is expressed by the apostle Paul, saying: “Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1: 24)? On which Solomon wrote: “Wisdom has built her house” (Proverbs 9: 1); The Psalmist says, (addressing God): “In wisdom, you have made them all” (Psalm 104: 24); and ‘Job’ says: “Man does not know its value” (13); as its price is beyond everything. Now, what would we give in order to be qualified to get the wisdom, which is Christ? When “By grace we have been saved” (Ephesians 2: 8), While by justice, man only deserves one thing; namely, death? … Yet Paul says: “While we were still sinners, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5: 8, 6). While we are still found ungodly, When Wisdom came, what good have we presented to be worthy of this wisdom, which could not be valued for anything? “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2: 8-9); and then Paul says about himself: “But by the grace of God, I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15: 10). To what does the term ‘Sea’ in (14) refer, but to the worldly human minds that suffer from bitter confusion; and foolishly enter into controversies with others, and successively set forth with animosity from one person to another? Because human minds destroy one another, and chase one another like waves; worldly persons are fittingly correlated to a stormy sea in a continuous condition of disturbance; Being deprived of peace and abidance of the inner wisdom. In contradiction to this, it is well said by the Lord, through His prophet: “Upon whom shall my Spirit settle? But upon 1 St. Augustine: Sermon 51: 5. 2 The Fourth Theological Oration, 2. 15 him who is humble and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my words” (Isaiah 66: 2). And while being under such disturbance, God calls on us, saying: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11: 28). What would be more exhaustive for man, than to suffer from the fever of earthly lusts? And what would be more rest than when he covets nothing in this world? That is why, keeping the Sabbath was given to the Israelites as a gift the people who follow God receive the Sabbath namely, the rest of the spirit by not being disturbed by the carnal pleasures of this life. But how could most of the early fathers abide to this wisdom in their inner life, while from outside, they were preoccupied with ordaining the affairs of the world? Shall we count Joseph deprived of this wisdom, he, on whose shoulders, at the time of famine, the needs of the whole population of Egypt were laid? Was Daniel stranger to this wisdom, he who was given such huge responsibilities above all the rulers by the king of the Chaldeans? Therefore, it is obvious that even the good were also preoccupied with earthly commitments without any confusion! Those who have got peace of mind, while their hearts were filled with this true wisdom, their responsibilities and outer commitments would never enter into their inner depths, and bring them confusion. Pope Gregory the Great 4- HOW GREAT IS THE WISDOM: “It cannot be purchased for Gold, nor can silver be weighed for its price” (Job 28: 15) As the Wisdom of God is the Person of the Word, Whoever acquires it, acquires the Creator Himself, with whom no creature could be compared. To whom the pure gold refers, but the angels who are so called. They are gold, on account of, that they shine with the splendor of righteousness; And they are pure gold, as they are not blemished with any defilement of sin. Humans, on the other hand, as long as they are in the corruptible body, and are mortals, Even if they are gold, Yet they would never be pure gold, “for a perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthly tent burdens the thoughtful mind” (Wisdom of Solomon 9: 15). In this life, Even if they shine with an exalted splendor of righteousness, Yet they could never completely get rid of the impurity of sins; as testified by John, saying: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1: 8); as well as by James, saying: “For we all stumble in many things” (James 3: 2); And for which the prophet prays, saying: “Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight, no one living is righteous” (Psalm 143: 2). Wisdom proclaims itself. To save the human race from sin, not even an angel could be sent in the place of Wisdom; As a creature is to be made free, by the Creator Himself; according to the words of the Lord in the gospel: “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8: 36). But the good man ‘Job’, having been filled with the spirit of wisdom, has already seen, that in Judea, there would be those who put their hope in the man by whom the law was given, and made out of Moses the source of their salvation; When even uttering evil, 16 they said to the man whom Jesus healed: “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples” (John 9: 28). Pope Gregory the Great “It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire” (Job 28: 16) In the Septuagint version, it came as: “Not even the colors of the dyes of India could be compared with it”. Pope Gregory the Great believes that the wisdom of God could not be blemished with the adornment of eloquence; as testified by Paul, saying: “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2: 13). The apostle chose to use the wisdom in the simplicity of the pure truth alone, not blemished by the dye of words. “Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold” (Job 28: 17) Having been incarnated and became Man, neither gold nor silver with their shine and purity, nor crystal with its transparency, could equal the Word of God. John, in Revelation saw that, saying: “The construction of its walls was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass” (Revelation 21: 18); Because all saints will shine with an exalted splendor, the higher Jerusalem was described as a construction of gold Yet, as long as we are still in this life, and our hearts could not be vessels of crystal, but of ceramic, of mire; the prophet prays in fear, saying: “Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink” (Psalm 69: 14). And our bodies are called by Paul, “earthly tent”, saying: “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5; 1)…Although the saints may shine with such amazing splendor and exalted purity, to have the image of wisdom, Yet they are not equal to it. All saints are brought to the eternal joys, to become “like God”, as is written: “We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3: 2); “O Lord God of hosts, who is like you?” (Psalm 89: 8, 6); And: “Who, among the children of God, can be like Him?” How can they be like Him, and, at the same time, not like Him? But because they will be in the image of this wisdom, but not equal to it. They are like Him, on account that they are blessed; And not like Him, because, He, being the Creator, the incomprehensible; they, being comprehensible, could not be equal to Him. Whatever are the splendor and the purity of the saints, they may be wise in God; While He is the Wisdom of God; An utterly great difference. “Nor can be exchanged for (vessels) of fine gold” (17) The church would never exchange this wisdom, even for very precious and exalted golden vessels, But will hold fast to Christ the Son of God; not as one of the prophets, but as the One Lord of the prophets. Pope Gregory the Great The Son gives Himself; that, being Himself the righteousness, would take away evil from us; The Wisdom presents itself, to take the place of ignorance1. St. Jerome 1 Epistle to Galatians, 1: 1: 3. 17 “No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies. The (yellow) topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold” (Job 28: 18, 19) Wisdom is Jesus the Lord of glory, more precious than all rubies, coral, or quartz. We often said that Christ is Wisdom, Justice, Peace, Joy, Compassion, etc. All these names of virtues, beloved even by those who do not seek them; No one can arrogantly proclaim that he does not like wisdom or justice1! St. Jerome 5- THE HIDDEN WISDOM OF GOD: “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28: 20) Men of God often cry out seeking wisdom and understanding from no One but the Heavenly God! He grants knowledge, not to be taught from a book, But by the enlightenment of the Spirit2. Father Ambroseaster Those who humbly forsake their own knowledge, are the wise of this world; who, by their own choice become like a suckling, learning the wisdom, that could not be acquired through the labor of study3. St. (Mar) Ephram, the Syrian It comes from Him, who produces it. Now its way is hidden, being born from the Unseen, the Partner in eternity with the Father; the prophet interprets the two words: “From where”, by saying: “Who can speak of His generation?” Now the place of understanding is man’s mind, made holy and filled with God’s wisdom. Pope Gregory the Great “It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air” (Job 28: 21) The desire of the heart of every believer, true Theologian, and the elect, is to be given the privilege to behold God in the eternal life; as proclaimed by the apostle John: “For we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3: 2), Although in the same epistle he says: “No one has seen God at any time” (1 John 4: 12). And the apostle Paul confirms: “dwelling in an unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6: 16). That raised many questions, among which: 1- Is this vision reserved only for the eternal life? Or can it begin here as an inner experience in the depths of the soul? 2- Can the heavenlies and the believers in heaven enjoy the vision of the divine Essence? St. John Chrysostom wrote an article with the title: ‘The Incomprehensible Nature of God4’, in which he confirms that it is impossible to see the Essence of God as 1 Epistle to the Ephesians, 3: 6: 17. 2 Com. On Paul's Epistles (1 Cor. 12: 8). 3 Ascetical Homilies, 72. . 4 ا رجع للمؤلف: القدیس یوحنا الذهبي الفم، 1981 18 He is. And the Councils of Constantinople in the fourth century (1341, 1351, 1368 AD), confirmed as well, that the Essence of God is unapproachable; It is not the object of knowledge nor of vision of the angels or the saints; But could only be seen through His un-created divine energies; About this theory, Father Gregory Palamas spoke abundantly. When we hear that the Seraphim fly around the exalted throne, covering their faces with two of their wings, and their legs with the other two, and crying out with trembling voice, We should not figure them as having feathers, legs, or wings, As they are actually unseen hosts. Even to those hosts, God is incomprehensible, and unapproachable. He condescends to appear in the way mentioned in the book of Revelation He is not limited to one place, Sitting on a throne, surrounded by heavenly hosts is out of His love for them. … Splendor of His light, they cover their faces with their wings; …And would only be allowed to sing praises, full of glory and holy trembling; amazing songs that testify to the holiness of the One who sits on the throne. He who dares to search God’s care, that the heavenly hosts cannot touch nor express, should rather hide himself beneath the hills1! St. John Chrysostom Many fathers of the church, and the scholars along the generations, were preoccupied with whether the believers would be able to see God as He is, or within certain limits2! If the Wisdom, that is God, is hidden from the eyes of the living; No one of the saints would surely be able to see it; I hear John, in accordance to this, saying: “No one has seen God at any time” (1 John 1: 18). However, according to the testimony of the Holy Book itself, several fathers of the Old Testament have seen God: Jacob saw Him, and said: “For I have seen God face to face” (Genesis 32: 30). “The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33: 11). ‘Job’ also saw God, and said: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You” (Job 42: 5). The prophet Isaiah saw God, and said: “In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6: 1). The prophet Micaiah saw the Lord, and said: “I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left” (1 Kings 22: 19). What does it mean, that several of the fathers of the Old Testament testify that they saw God, Then it is said that the Wisdom, that is God: “is hidden from the eyes of all living” (Job 28: 21); And John says: “No one has seen God at any time” (John 1: 18)? 1Divine Providence. 2 سیصدر قریبًا بمشیئة الله كتاب: ماذا یقول الآباء عن رؤیةالله؟ 19 We should understand that as long as we are living here a mortal life, we can see God only by ways of apparitions; But a vision of His true nature is not possible. Pope Gregory the Great “Destruction and death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears” (Job 28: 22) Pope Gregory the Great believes that Destruction and death refer to the evil spirits that cause perdition; “His (Satan’s) name was death” (Revelation 6: 8). These spirits cannot see the Wisdom, having, because of their pride, been driven away before Him, “They are those who rebel against the light; They do not know its ways, nor abide in its path” (See Job 24: 13). “God understands its way, And He knows its place” (Job 28: 23) No one knows the divine Wisdom; namely, the Son, except the Father; He knows the way of the Wisdom, proceeding eternally from Him; There is no separation between the Father and the Son. The Wisdom, a Partner in eternity with God, Has its way in one concept, and its place in another. The place of the Wisdom is the Father, and the place of the Father is the Wisdom; according to the testimony of the Wisdom Himself, saying: “I am in the Father, and the Father in Me” (John 14: 10). Pope Gregory the Great “For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens” (Job 28: 24) God’s vision is His renewal of the things that were lost and got corrupted; as it is written: “A king who sits on the throne of judgment, scatters all evil with His eyes” (Proverbs 20: 8). By His vision, He puts an end to the evils of our foolishness, and grants a great appreciation to maturity. Pope Gregory the Great “To establish a weight for the wind, and mete out the waters by measure” (Job 28: 25) In the Holy Book, the velocity and the light weight of the wind, generally refer to the souls; As said by the Psalmist about God, “Who walks on the wings of the wind” (Psalm 104: 3), And because He walks on the virtues of the soul, He accordingly, “establishes a weight for the wind”; Meaning, that the Wisdom from above fills the souls, makes them heavy with the weight of maturity, and not with that, about which is said: “How long, O you sons of men, (will your hearts be heavy)”? (Psalm 4: 2). Being heavy by the weight of the good counsel is one thing, and being heavy with sin is something else; Being heavy with commitment is one thing, and being heavy with disobedience is another. “And mete out the waters by measure” (25). ‘Waters’ in the Holy Book may refer to the flow of the Holy Spirit, as it came in the gospel: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living waters”, then adds, “This He spoke concerning the Spirit whom those believing in Him would receive” (John 7: 38, 39). It may refer to the holy knowledge; as it is said,”He shall give him the water of wisdom to drink” (Sirach 15: 3). Or may refer to the evil knowledge, as it is said about 20 the woman mentioned in Solomon, who bears a symbol of the heretics, and deceives by her deceitful ways: “Stolen water is sweet” (Proverbs 9: 17). Or may refer to temptations, as said by the Psalmist: “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck” (psalm 69: 1). Or may refer to people, as is said by John: “The waters are peoples” (Revelation 17: 15); Not only to those going astray, but also to the good peoples, those who follow preaching by faith, as is said by the prophet: “Blessed are you who sow beside all waters” (Isaiah 32: 20); And by the Psalmist: “The voice of the Lord is over the waters” (Psalm 29: 3). Here, to what do ‘waters’ refer but to the hearts of the elect who, by the understanding of the Wisdom, they are granted to hear the heavenly voice. Pope Gregory the Great “When He made a low for the rain, and a path for the thunderbolt” (Job 28: 26) By the ‘rain’ he refers to the words of the preachers, as said by Moses: “Let my teaching drop as the rain” (Deuteronomy 32: 2); Meaning, When his words are presented with mild convincing, they are like rain; Whereas when they include horrible things Concerning the coming judgment, they are producing voices like thunderbolts. Words lose their authority when they are not supported by work; as according to the Psalmist: “But to the wicked, God says, ‘What rights have you to declare my statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth, Seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you?” (Psalm 50: 16-17) And concerning the law of preaching, it is written that he who does not keep these commandments, and yet he teaches people, will be called the smallest in the kingdom of heavens; But he who works and teaches, will be called great in the kingdom of heaven; “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 13: 41)…. Now, “He made a path for the thunderbolt” (26); when He sets a connection with the hearts of men, struck by terror from the coming judgment of those preachers. Pope Gregory the Great “Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out” (Job 28: 27) Pope Gregory the Great believes that it is fitting for us to notice that he mentions four points concerning the wisdom, saying: “Then He saw, declared, prepared, and searched it out” (27). “He saw it”, being (the image); “declared it” , being (the Word); “prepared it”, being the (cure); And “searched it out”, being (hidden from sight). The eternal Wisdom of God is the “image and Word of the Father”, when penetrated by the mind of whoever intends to understand it, being the word with no time, and the image with no limit. Pope Gregory the Great It is fitting for us to let the Wisdom of God absorb our whole being, feelings, and senses. 21 If Christ is the believer’s head, “the wise man’s eyes are in his head” (Ecclesiastes 2; 14); And consequently, all our senses, mind, thoughts, words, and counsel (if we are wise) will be concentrated in Christ1 St. Jerome “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. And to depart from evil, is understanding’” (Job 28: 28) Commenting on this phrase, St. Augustine says: As the Greek word for wisdom is sometimes translated as ‘piety’, “Piety, namely, “worshipping God”, would then be wisdom. And as the main point in worship is that the soul would not deny God, the true and sound sacrifice would therefore be to offer thanksgiving to the Lord our God. Wisdom is the inner thanksgiving of the soul to God, expressed by spiritually worshipping Him2. Again he confirms that, he who refers wisdom to himself, is not wise, but foolish; Not giving thanks to God, he would subsequently bear no fear toward Him, and would not be pious3. “Behold piety is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding” (28). Concerning discernment between wisdom and understanding, we should know that wisdom concerns meditation, while understanding concerns work. Here, wisdom means worshipping God… Which is nothing but loving God, by which we long to believe in Him, and to see Him (relatively) while we are still in this world, Then (clearly) when we depart…. To depart from evil, said by ‘Job’ to be the understanding, undoubtedly concerns temporal things. As, concerning the time (in this world), we are in evil, from which we should depart, in order to reach the eternal goods4. There is another kind of wicked who, “having known God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful” (Romans 1: 21). In this, I have also fallen, but “Your right hand has held me up” (Psalm 18: 35), carried me away, and put me where I could be healed. You told man: “Behold, the fear of the Lord That is wisdom” (Job 28: 28); and “Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3: 7); as while they claim to be wise, they became unwise.(romans1: 22) But now, although I found the one pearl of great price, I hesitated to go and Sell everything else and buy it5 (Matthew 13: 46). In case knowledge is of the upright kind, It would be analogous to love; As without love, “knowledge puffs up” (1 Corinthians 8: 1); But where there is love, the heart would be full of edification, and knowledge would find no void place to puff up! Moreover, ‘Job’ demonstrates the beneficial knowledge, that he identifies by saying: “The fear of the Lord, That is wisdom, And to depart from evil, is understanding6”. “Behold, Worshipping the Lord, That is wisdom”. The mind then would be wise, not by its own light, but through the fellowship in that exalted and eternal Light, in whom he possesses in the beatitude7. 1 Epistle to the Ephesians, 3: 6: 17. 2 St. Augustine: On the Spirit and the Letter ch. 18 (11). 3 cf. Augustine: On the Spirit and the Letter, ch 19 (12). 4On the Trinity 12:14:22. 5 Confession, 8:1:2. 6 Letters, 167:11 (To Jerome on James 2:10). 7On the Trinity 14:12:15. 22 St. Augustine “Behold, Piety, is wisdom; And to depart from evil, is understanding” (28). There is nothing comparable to this practical concept; And there is nothing stronger than this wisdom; “The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1: 7), And there is good understanding for him who practices it. Honoring God is the exalted wisdom. St. John Chrysostom Man, go back to yourself! Search the secrets of your heart. If you find out that you fear the Lord, Then it would be obvious, that you are full of wisdom that the angels call “The fear of God”. You truly acquire wisdom if you fear the Lord. Pope Gregory the Great 23 AN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF ‘JOB’ 28 LET ME ACQUIRE YOU, O DIVINE WISDOM! You granted man a mind, to search and work; By his human wisdom, he can search for precious minerals. But foolishly, he does not seek the secrets of God. Grant me to discover the silver of Your pure wisdom; And to acquire the gold of the heavenly life. Man can, out of rocks, extract silver and gold; Out of me, the dust; O Lord, Extract a witness to You. To become in Your sight, more precious than any precious stone. You are capable of turning the dust into heaven; And the heart of stone, into one spacious with love. You are the maker of wonders and miracles; Out of Saul of Tarsus, You brought forth a unique apostle; Out of the wicked inhabitants in Nineveh, a repentant people; Out of the Gentiles, a holy church. Out of dust, You brought forth man; And out of the earthly sinner, You set an almost angelic being. Here I am in Your hands; Set Your kingdom in me; Let me join the ranks of Your angels; Let me get in touch with Your love; And recognize Your divine secrets; You are the Way, through which I can come into the Father’s bosom; You are my riches and pleasure. Let me acquire You, O the divine Wisdom; By You, I enter into the secrets of heaven; And enjoy the fellowship in the divine nature; By You, my eyes would open, to see what no eye has ever seen! +To acquire wealth, man learned the mining industry. Because of hunger, the lion got knowledge of the ways through the forests and wilderness. To have fulfillment, eagles could see from very high altitudes; And for the sake of Love, I acquire You, to offer me the exalted divine secrets. Your wisdom is mighty and exalted. It Brings me forth into the impossible, And reveals to me exalted wonders. It raises the humble up to heaven. It turns the stones into children for Abraham! It shakes those with authority and power! It will turn my heart of stone, into a fountain of sweet water of love. It will turn me into something very precious in Your sight, O Lover of mankind. Let me acquire You, O the amazing Wisdom of God. 24 To bear inside me, a treasure of every wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. You are my amazing treasure. No gold, silver, nor precious stones, would compare to You. Behold, the whole nature, with all its beauties, cry out to me, saying: Acquire the beauty Himself; The Creator of everything. How amazing! You are both hidden and manifest! Your secrets are hidden, even from the Cherubim. Who cover their faces, because of the greatness of Your splendor. You have for so long, hidden Yourself from me, Yet, not to deprive me of You; But to flare the longing of my heart for You. Then You incarnated and came down to me, to find You inside me. You are very near to me. My depths cry out to You. Show me Your Glory!
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