THEOSISMaximus the Confessor
QUESTION 36. What is the significance of the bodies and blood of unclean animals that the Israelites offered to God by consuming the flesh but pouring out the blood at the base of the altar? ANSWER: The depiction of those being led to righteousness can be seen in the ancient Israelites, who worshiped God under the law as a shadow and struggled to grasp the true meaning behind the symbolic representations. The law was not meant for them alone, but it was given for us as well; through Christ, we fulfill it in a spiritual sense. Thus, let us reflect earnestly on the significance of the sacrifices offered at that time.
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Those who are initiated into a life of holiness and instructed about righteous deeds engage in a singular act of obedience and faith, consuming the revealed commandments of virtue as if they were flesh. However, the deeper understanding of these commandments, which encompasses true wisdom, is surrendered to God through faith, as it surpasses our comprehension. The altar symbolizes God, to whom we offer our spiritual sacrifices, acknowledging our limitations while seeking to understand that which is beyond our grasp for the sake of life. The very foundation of this altar is the expression of faith; it serves as the cornerstone upon which the entire structure of divine actions and contemplations is built. Anyone unable to wisely partake of the cup of divine Wisdom according to his discernment rightly offers upon this foundation interpretations that are beyond his full understanding, entrusting these meanings to faith. Therefore, the ancient people represent those entering into holiness; those who consume the flesh of sacrificial offerings and pour out blood at the altar are those whose immature understanding prevents them from grasping the profound truths of creation. However, Christ, the High Priest of the promised eternal inheritance, has come (Hebrews 9:11) and provided an ineffable sacrifice, gifting Himself along with His body and blood to those whose spiritual senses have matured, enabling them to distinguish between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). The spiritually mature, having surpassed not just those entering into holiness but also those who excel within it, are not oblivious to the divine reasons behind created beings, which are subject to them by divine order. After experiencing the truths of these reasons in the spirit and embodying the virtues through their actions, they elevate the sensory aspect of existence to the realm of understanding. Many additional insights on this matter could be presented, which are highly relevant for you, the most devout. However, due to their abundance, I shall refrain from elaborating further.