2 Chronicles 32:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

ANSWER: Hezekiah symbolizes a mind actively engaged in worldly matters with the aid of wisdom, fortified against external threats by the full divine discernment inherent in his name, which translates to ‘divine strength.’ Therefore, he rules over Jerusalem, representative of the soul, and presides over the ‘vision of the world,’ signifying the contemplation that is detached from worldly passions. When confronted by an opposing force, he wisely consulted his elders and strong companions to contain the external waters. The 'leaders' of his understanding are faith, hope, and love, which preeminently guide all divine thoughts in the soul and provide wise counsel. Thus, they aid in resisting the contrary power by revealing effective strategies for its destruction. Without these three virtues, no evil is utterly vanquished, nor is any good deed accomplished. Faith compels the mind engaged in spiritual warfare to seek divine assistance, serving as a source of comfort and assurance in the fortified protection beyond the physical realm. Hope finds strong affirmation in the mind through immutable divine assurance, promising the defeat of opposing forces. Love grounds the mind in divine affection, unwavering even amid spiritual trials, and fixates its ultimate aspirations on the divine.

The rulers named after Hezekiah also resonate with these insights. Eliakim, son of Helkiah, represents "the resurrection of God," while Helkiah means "the portion of God." Thus, from the portion of true knowledge emerges the doctrine of our Divine Resurrection, aligning with faith, which employs discernment to disperse rebellious temptations. Somnas the scribe signifies 'conversion,' clearly embodying the abundant word of divine hope essential for turning to God, as hope teaches and transforms the future into the present, encouraging those besieged by opposing forces to remain steadfast under God's protection. Isach, son of Asaph, represents “the brotherhood of God,” with Asaph meaning 'assembly.' Thus, through the unification of divine pursuits and the collective strength of reason, desire, and courage, love is born. This love bequeaths the beauty of divine maturity in the memories of those graced with divine equality. Thus, the word of truth can be revealed through the interpretation of names: a mind, akin to Hezekiah, if fortified by divine power, acquires rational strength like recognized elders and leaders; this results in a faith that enables the mind to gain profound understanding of the eternally present God and fosters hope that perceives the future as tangible.

The mind also develops a yearning that gives rise to divine love, bonding intricately to the pure Godhead, while acquiring fervor that sustains the focus on Divine love. Each person possesses these capacities that facilitate the dismantling of vice and the nurturing of virtue; they are akin to elders, serving as the fundamental aspects of the soul, and like rulers, they govern the soul's movements. They provide guidance to the mind, suggesting it should confine the external waters — those distractions outside the soul. What has transpired historically manifests spiritually in this context. Having cultivated these healthy virtues, the mind gathers many faithful thoughts and intentions. The waters outside the soul symbolize those thoughts that derive from natural contemplation and flow into the soul, forming a doctrine from sensory knowledge that strays from spiritual focus and invites corrupting influences.

Hezekiah’s declaration is thus significant: Let not the king of Assyria approach and find abundant waters, gaining strength (2 Chronicles 32:4). His discerning mind implores its faculties to resist natural contemplation, preferring prayer and the temperance of the body according to divine wisdom. The imagery of prayer corresponds to ascending to the temple of God, while bodily discipline reflects Hezekiah’s actions. He implores to avoid allowing the adversary, who often stealthily adds to the distractions of the senses, to draw attention to sensual images, inciting conflict within the soul. It is crucial that during spiritual turmoil, one shuts down the senses, fully abandoning any focus on worldly concerns, thus humbling the natural inclinations that attend to outward matters.

Those who persistently focus on innate good thoughts while shutting out the unwanted desires defeat the evil looming outside their inner sanctum. Such fortitude, like Hezekiah's, leads to victory by faith, enabling the faithful to overcome the malevolent forces that rally against them, thus securing overall peace through divine assistance. The most formidable challenges are met by embracing a life rooted in prayer, avoiding the distractions of sensual contemplation, which can lead to spiritual ruin.

Thus, Hezekiah’s actions are exemplified as wise and prudent, effectively securing the waters of the springs representing sensual distractions. The notion of shutting the waters signifies protecting the soul from distractions that can lead to turmoil and spiritual decline.