THEOSISMaximus the Confessor
Proclamation of Christ calls for the establishment of pillars in the wilderness. The wilderness symbolizes the realm of visible things, or this world, where the Word seeks to erect strong foundations. It provides those who seek divine insights with spiritual truths and correct interpretations of doctrines related to natural contemplation. The remnants of many can be likened to the multitude of cattle associated with Bethel and the fields, as well as the workers in the vineyards found on the mountains and Carmel, symbolizing the diligent farmer. The Lord cultivates in the wilderness—meaning in the world and in human nature—by excavating the hearts of the worthy, purging them of earthly burdens and carnal thoughts.
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He prepares them to receive the heavenly rains of wisdom and knowledge, so that the flock of Christ—including those still maturing in their faith—may draw sustenance from these reservoirs.
Sephilah, representing a confined space, refers to those who, having been cleansed by trials, are nourished with the teachings of perseverance and endurance. The fruitful laborers on the plains represent those who, standing firm in righteous deeds, attain prosperity in virtuous endeavors and yield results in accordance with the law of commandments. They too require nourishment from the Word to reward their humility, compassion for the weaker, and gratitude for the blessings received.
The vinedressers in the highlands are those who labor earnestly within the heights of contemplation, extracting joy and enlightenment from the divine knowledge. Those laboring on Carmel are engaged in the doctrine of complete purification and total renunciation of worldly matters. The term "Carmel" denotes the understanding of spiritual circumcision; those working in this vineyard are tasked with cultivating the profound doctrine that detaches the mind from temporal distractions in accordance with their comprehension, eschewing false honors like those pursued by the Jews.
Scripture further teaches that these cultivators depend on the refreshing waters of God's Wisdom, which springs forth from a well hewn in the wilderness. Thus, each individual receives the requisite understanding in proportion to their faith from those who embrace the grace found in the teachings of the saving Word. In this manner, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is eternally the marvelous and wise Earthman, diligently nurtures every soul, undertaking all for our salvation.
We have, in a brief exploration, reflected on aspects that guide us toward our Lord Jesus Christ through various contemplative lenses. A different mode of contemplation reveals that these inquiries hold profound significance for those aspiring toward perfection, surrounded by the reverent fear and love of the Lord. As I approach this endeavor, I find myself facing a curious dilemma—why, in the historical accounts, does Hosea, being king of Judah, have vinedressers on Carmel, which belongs to the kingdom of Israel, knowing that the very city of Israel adjoins that mountain? It seems that Scripture, in prompting us to seek deeper truths, may have included elements that do not exist within the historical narrative.
Allegorically, to strengthen and establish pillars in the wilderness involves those who can redirect their senses from their passions and detach their souls from sensory inclinations, achieving strength to shield their minds against the devil's incursions that occur through the senses. Thus, within the wilderness—representing natural contemplation—they raise, as unyielding pillars, devout conceptions of reality. Those sheltered by such insights fear not the demons that roam this desert, misleading the mind through the senses and plunging it into the abyss of ignorance.
The fossil reference signifies those who have attained diverse skills in righteousness, capable of embracing the divine wisdom imparted through guidance. He names numerous cattle in Sephilah and on the fields, alongside those who toil in the vineyards on the mountains and Carmel, illustrating the diligent farmer. One who strives earnestly for truth counteracts adversaries, drawing upon various virtuous skills like oil from excavated cisterns, nurturing the cattle of Sephilah—indicative of mental and spiritual growth shaped through involuntary trials, all while fostering the teachings of patience.
Similarly, those who labor on the plain cultivate the soul's disposition, thriving within the field of virtues through righteous actions; they too partake of the teachings of humility and moderation to remain impervious to adversaries. Vinedressers on the mountains symbolize pure thoughts dwelling at the zenith of contemplation, aspiring towards the ineffable knowledge. Those on Carmel harvest thoughts that refine and perfect the mind, expunging all base desires—conducting a spiritual circumcision to liberate it from material entanglements, as "Carmel" signifies the truth of circumcision.
Scripture indicates that Hosea is a tiller of the ground; indeed, every mind empowered by God for contemplation becomes a true cultivator, diligently safeguarding the pure and divine seeds of goodness from the tares. Such a mind remains steadfast through a continual remembrance of God. For it is written: "And there was a crying out to the Lord in the days of Zechariah, understanding in the fear of the Lord."