THEOSISMaximus the Confessor
What do the words in the same book mean: And Hezekiah saw Sennacherib come, and his face to fight against Jerusalem. He consulted with his elders and valiant men about stopping the waters of the springs outside the city, and they gave their approval. He gathered many people, contained the waters of the springs, and the stream flowing through the city (2 Chronicles 32:2-4)? What message does Scripture convey through these phrases, from a spiritual perspective?
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Hezekiah represents a mind engaged in diligent worldly affairs supported by wisdom and safeguarded by divine discernment, mirroring the meaning of his name, which signifies ‘divine power.’ Thus, he governs Jerusalem, symbolizing the soul, and the ‘vision of the world,’ or the speculative contemplation that is divorced from earthly desires. When he perceived an opposing force advancing against him, he prudently consulted with elders and warriors to contain the waters of the external springs. The ‘rulers’ of such a mind are faith, hope, and love—principles that preside over all divine thoughts within the soul and offer wise counsel; they also assist in the battle against hostile powers, revealing ways to overcome them. Without faith, hope, and love, evil cannot be entirely vanquished, nor can good actions ever take place. Faith leads the mind striving in the spiritual conflict to look to God for assistance, providing solace and sturdy assurance in the protective power granted for the battle. Hope takes firm root in the mind from divine certainty and aid that assures the conquest of opposing forces. Love grounds the mind in divine affection, holding steadfast amidst the tribulations of spiritual warfare and anchoring itself firmly to the sacred being. The names of the rulers correlate with these principles and are aptly interpreted.
At that time, the rulers of Hezekiah were Eliakim, son of Helkiah the builder, Somnas the scribe, and Isak the son of Asaph the seer (4 Kings 18:18). 'Eliakim' translates to “the resurrection of God,” while his father Helkiah means “the portion of God.” Hence, the first and only offspring of ‘God's portion,’ or true knowledge, is the doctrine of our Divine Resurrection, paralleling faith, which skillfully dispels the forces of rebellious inclinations. The name ‘Somnas the scribe’ signifies ‘conversion,’ indicating the abundant word of divine hope, which is pivotal in turning to God, as hope instructs and magnifies the future as though it were present, encouraging those battling suppressive forces not to stray from God’s shelter. ‘Isakh, son of Asaph, the seer’ translates as “the brotherhood of God,” reflecting the assembly’s unity. Therefore, the assembly around divine matters and the harmony of will, intellect, and passion birthed love.
Consequently, divine maturity’s beauty is inscribed in the memory of those graced with equality with God—brotherhood embodies this divine harmony, which drives an unending inspiration for the pure beauty of divine love within the soul. Thus, the truth of these rulers elucidates the power endowed upon every mind girded with God’s strength, akin to Hezekiah, fostering a rational capability, akin to wise elders, which nurtures a knowing faith; this, in turn, allows the mind immeasurable understanding of the eternally present God, engaging with the future as if it were a current reality through hope. The mind also cultivates a passion that gives rise to divine love—through this love, willingly bound to the pure Godhead, it possesses an unbreakable pull toward the Beloved. Lastly, the mind develops a fierce strength to cling to the Divine realm, bolstering the desire for Divine love.
Each mind houses these capabilities, essential for eradicating vice while fostering and preserving virtue; they serve as elders because they form the foundational essence of the soul and resemble rulers as they govern the internal movements prompted by them, wielding influence over actions manifested by these forces. They advise the mind to curb its natural affections and focus solely on prayer and self-discipline, symbolized by the king's ascension within God’s temple. The wisdom of Hezekiah advises against allowing the enemy, analogous to the Assyrian king Sennacherib, to discover abundant spiritual resources, thus tarnishing this sacred temple, represented by the soul, and diverting it to Babylon, referring to the blend of passions.
He, who in times of intense temptation prudently shuts his senses—dismisses indulgent thoughts and curbs fleshly desires—acts like Hezekiah. By doing this, he confines the waters from external sources, restricts the flow of sensory knowledge within the soul, and draws support from his numerous allies—faithful thoughts derived from his spiritual understanding. Thus, having gained victory by God’s right hand, he shames the adversarial forces opposing him and, by divine command, defeats the destructive mindset personified as one hundred eighty-five thousand (4 Sam. 19:35).
This represents an inherent skill capable of leading to corruption, intertwined with the soul’s trifecta of faculties, alongside its sensory actions. Amid the overwhelming influx of malevolent forces, the mind is rightfully compelled to forsake physical contemplation, preserving its focus on fervent prayer, diligently striving to quell intrusive thoughts, and safeguarding the virtues that bolster the soul, to achieve spiritual perseverance. If this vigilance is maintained, the adversary, represented by Sennacherib’s emissary, Rapsak—the one who brings turmoil—will weakly attempt to bind the soul with deceptive allurements. Rapsak’s name suggests he who frequently flits between many temptations, attempting to seduce the mind into accepting his illusory offers.
Moreover, Sennacherib signifies temptation towards aridity, or heightened adversarial questioning; he embodies the devil, harnessing corrupt thoughts that diminish the divine knowledge’s stream within us and represents the adversity that strips away spiritual vitality from those caught in his snare. For he truly embodies ‘temptation of dryness,’ as he strips those entrapped in his schemes of every spiritual nourishment.
Hezekiah’s actions to contain external waters reflect righteous prudence before Sennacherib’s encroachment—these external springs symbolize the sensory distractions that infiltrate the soul, while the simultaneous stream signifies the knowledge absorbed from these thoughts. The former perpetuates a doctrine from sensual experiences as they course through the soul. Thus, Hezekiah’s wisdom lies in guarding against the invasion of sensual distractions, thereby protecting the sanctity of spiritual knowledge during tumultuous times, leading to triumph over temptation and the usurping forces that threaten to diminish spiritual integrity.
In conclusion, through prayer and spiritual discipline, one can vanquish the forces of corruption, and achieve a deep communion with divine truth, forming a shield against malignant influences. This approach reflects the ultimate strength that not only preserves one’s virtue but also restores a firm foundation in divine engagement, illustrating the profound spiritual journey aligning with sacred scripture.