What is meant by ‘recompense’ and what follows? The answer lies in the fact that after receiving numerous timely blessings from God—saving him and delivering him from various trials—Hezekiah failed to attribute all of his salvation to God as he ought to have. Instead, an impure arrogance arose within him, which compromised the significance of his granted virtues. Because of this, it is clear that Hezekiah did not reciprocate as he should have. He neglected to duly express gratitude for God's divine attributes, allowing his heart to swell with pride, and so he succumbed to the sin of arrogance, boasting in his own virtuousness and wisdom. I was angry with him, as well as with Judah and Jerusalem. Some interpret God’s wrath as a deep-seated anguish inflicted upon those who are brought up. This feeling becomes burdensome as it creates involuntary trials. In this manner, God often guides the proud mind, which boasts of its strengths, toward humility and self-realization, revealing its inherent weaknesses. Once it goes through such experiences, the mind is able to abandon the empty pride of the heart. The Scriptures declare, After God's anger brought Hezekiah down from his lofty heart, the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah. Alternatively, the Lord's wrath can also be seen as the withdrawal of divine grace, experienced by every arrogant mind that takes credit for God's blessings as if they were its own accomplishments.
It is important to consider why God's anger was not limited to Hezekiah, who was prideful, but also extended to Judah and Jerusalem. This aspect particularly stresses to those who adhere strictly to the text of Scripture that true love for God demands a deep spiritual examination of the given texts, especially if the pursuit of truth is truly valued. For if we disregard the underlying meaning and focus solely on the letter, we may unfairly judge God's judgment to be unjust, as it seems to punish the innocent alongside the sinner. The Scriptures affirm, Let not the fathers be put to death for the sons, nor the sons for the fathers: every man shall die for his own sin (Deuteronomy 24:16). Likewise, But the soul that sins, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:20). Furthermore, You will repay every person according to their deeds (Psalm 61:13), as proclaimed by David in his supplications to God. Although it is stated that Hezekiah’s heart was lifted up, it does not mention that the hearts of the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah were similarly affected. It is difficult to reconcile how the innocent suffered punishment alongside the guilty if we take these words literally. The scripture notes, ‘Hezekiah’s heart was lifted up, and therein was wrath against him, as well as against Judah and Jerusalem’—but it does not explicitly state that Judah and Jerusalem were likewise proud.
Hence, when those who prioritize the literal meaning of the Holy Scripture cannot clarify this difficult passage, we shall turn to a spiritual interpretation to uncover the truth concealed beneath the surface of the text, a truth that shines like light for those who earnestly seek it. Every wise and leading mind encompasses both Judah and Jerusalem. In our spiritual understanding, ‘Judah’ represents the image of godly obedience and the skill of repentance, which develops as the mind ascends toward virtue. ‘Jerusalem,’ in its allegorical sense, signifies the peaceful skill of self-control and the divine insights that accompany it. In essence, a discerning mind embodies both ‘Judah,’ or active wisdom, and ‘Jerusalem,’ or the contemplative mystery. When a God-loving mind utilizes its acquired virtues and wisdom to counter opposition, it is crowned with strength against deceitful spirits. However, if it fails to give due thanks to God—the source of its triumph—and instead believes itself solely responsible for its successes, it puts itself in danger. In doing so, it incurs God’s withdrawal not only upon itself but also upon the virtues represented by ‘Judah’ and ‘Jerusalem,’ leading to temptations that can tarnish its previously unblemished conscience, intertwining false thoughts with righteous contemplation and distorting the sound understanding of knowledge.
Divine law and institution genuinely exist through God’s providence in creation, crafted to guide those who, despite favorable circumstances, show ingratitude to Him, redirecting them toward a more theological perspective. Through the experience of hardship, this knowledge of God's divine power—the ultimate giver of goodness—might be cultivated within them. Otherwise, if we fall prey to conceit and assume that virtue and wisdom are inherent to our nature rather than gifts of grace, we risk a disconnection from divine provision. We would thus see virtue as a means leading to our downfall, and by using that which should strengthen our understanding of the Divine, we become embroiled in ignorance of God.
Some may believe they have attained the pinnacle of virtue and cease seeking the true Source of all goodness, thereby losing the path to God—the author of salvation. Others, conversely, remain acutely aware of their need for divine support and persistently strive for connection with Him who satisfies these needs. Consequently, righteous anger may justly descend upon the proud mind—God's abandonment or permission that leaves it vulnerable to the onslaught of temptations, as in the case of Judas during his spiritual endeavors and Jerusalem during his contemplative pursuits—encouraging its recognition of dependency on God’s power and grace, leading to a genuine humility. In this state, the mind expels the foreign arrogance; thus, another wrath of God, characterized by the loss of bestowed grace, shall not come upon him. This was true for Hezekiah, who, upon experiencing the initial wrath—God’s withdrawal—humbly acknowledged the giver of his benefits. The Scriptures affirm, And there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem: And Hezekiah humbled himself from the height of his heart, and he that dwells in Jerusalem; and the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah—meaning that a second wrath was averted—the deprivation of grace, which serves to impart discernment and wisdom to the mind following an encounter with abandonment.
Indeed, it is evident that one who fails to grasp the first form of God’s wrath—His abandonment—and neglects to humble himself will invite a second wrath, devoid of the life-giving action of divine graces, losing the protective power that had previously safeguarded him. As God declares, I will remove his protection, and it shall be plundered; I will dismantle his wall, and it shall be trampled. I will forsake my vineyard, and they shall go unpruned and untended, thorns shall overrun them as if a field; and I will command the clouds not to rain upon them (Isaiah 5:5-6). This also resonates with the fate of Saul, Israel’s first king, who, despite receiving the grace of prophecy along with his anointing, suffered due to his disobedience. When he persistently refused to recognize his failings, he ultimately faced the second wrath, losing his kingdom and ending his days in madness, devoid of divine favor. This is epitomized in Saul’s experience, as he succumbed to demonic influence and ultimately resorted to sorcery, serving the very spirits of darkness.
Thus, in our understanding, Hezekiah symbolizes an astute mind, Judah represents spiritual works, and Jerusalem denotes contemplation. When we mentally recognize that the mind experiences these states, we can also be assured that its active and contemplative faculties follow suit, for they are inseparable from the mind’s condition. The essence of this spiritual interpretation aligns with the words of Scripture, with no implication of reproach for divine justice nor any challenge to another divine command. In light of this interpretation, when Hezekiah—meaning the mind—becomes lifted by pride, boasting of accomplishments, it is unavoidable that Judah and Jerusalem—representing action and contemplation—would also be elevated in tandem, for they do not exist independently.
Thus, the wrath of God extends beyond Hezekiah alone to encompass both Judah and Jerusalem, for the defilement of the mind inevitably taints the spiritual work and contemplative practices, even when they have not directly partaken in the cause of that wrath. Therefore, we ought to adhere to understanding and not merely the literal text. What has transpired historically for our instruction (1 Cor. 10:11) spiritually corresponds to ongoing realities. When confrontations arise against us, we should strive to embody the entirety of Scripture in our consciousness, allowing our minds to be infused with divine visions, while our lives become adorned with virtues stemming from understanding the divine logos, thus transforming our lives into temples rejecting innate vices. In this manner, every God-loving and virtuous individual is equipped, like Ezekiel, with spiritual strength to combat demonic forces; when besieged by spiritual hostility, they receive angelic assistance from God through heartfelt prayer, imparting divine wisdom that dismantles every dark stronghold.
However, should one neglect to attribute God as the source of their victories, instead claiming these triumphs for themselves, that individual has indeed failed to acknowledge God as the true benefactor of salvation and grace. The fullness of gratitude cannot equal the magnitude of deliverance; thus, the disposition of the saved cannot compensate for the goodness of the Savior. ‘Recompense’ denotes how one's soul responds toward the Savior, expressed through actions befitting of gratitude. Conversely, when one’s heart is exalted, claiming ownership of received gifts, then divine wrath justly ensues, allowing darkness to intertwine and destabilize their virtues, prompting them to recognize their frailty and the divine power that liberates us from such passions. Upon repentance and humility, one can appease God and divert the wrath that falls upon the unrepentant, stripping the soul of the grace which defends it while leaving the ungrateful mind forsaken. The ‘days of King Hezekiah’ Scripture seemingly refers to the varying insights perceived by any devout and God-loving mind that engages deeply with creation to grasp the infinite Wisdom of God, reflected richly in all creation. So long as action and contemplation align harmoniously with these insights, they shall not be deprived of virtue and understanding, for the ‘Sun of Truth’ perpetually bestows these ‘days’ upon such minds through His shining light.
THEOSIS