THEOSISAmbrose of Milan
When God leads you into the land of the Canaanites, as promised to your ancestors, He will grant it to you. You are to present to the Lord every male that first opens the womb. You must dedicate every male offspring of your livestock and sheep to the Lord. For all that first opens the womb of a donkey, you shall redeem with a lamb; if you do not redeem it, you must break its neck (Exodus 13:11-13). There is profound mystery and wisdom in these straightforward words that provide spiritual bounty. The Canaanites are restless and unreliable, and as you enter their land, you will see how their reckless and rebellious nature has led to their downfall. In contrast, you must remain steadfast. Do not allow trivial thoughts or frivolous discussions, which signify unstable feelings and disputes, to disturb your peace; instead, maintain tranquility and clarity of mind, providing refuge within your thoughts like a haven for ships amidst stormy seas. Such a state has been promised to you by the Lord, affirmed through His sacred oath to fortify your steadfastness. God does not swear for the sake of needing our belief, nor does He require witnesses like mortals do. We depend on promises and take oaths to affirm our words, but God's truth is His promise; His very words embody the promise. When Moses states that God swears, it is for our understanding, as we are confined to earthly life and often rely on societal norms, reminiscent of those who retreat into the safety of a shell. We assume that what is confirmed by an oath carries more weight for the sake of our faith. The Bible states, “The Lord swears” — yet He does not require such measures for Himself; rather, He judges those who take oaths and will enact retribution on those who violate them. Thus, it is said, “The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest forever” (Psalm 109:4). God has remained true to His promise; He has appointed you a High Priest eternally, reminding you to honor your own commitments, recognizing that you swear by the One who cannot deceive, and should you deceive, remember, He will seek justice. With your unsettled and capricious thoughts put aside, the Lord will provide you a heart and mind free to cultivate in peace, harvesting its rewards without allowing the Canaanites — representing your troubled senses — to take residence within. You must eliminate the barriers of ungodly vices, uproot the groves that obscure truth, and eliminate harmful disputes that obscure divine insights. Only through divine grace can you accomplish this. Therefore, it is stated, “God will give you” (Exodus 13:11), meaning He will provide you with the most excellent thoughts, sound judgments, and peaceful conceptions. When He grants these to you, it will be your duty to present all male firstborns to the Lord, dedicating them to Him. God, who gives abundantly to support life, will not take away what is natural. Your bodily needs — food, drink, rest, and other essentials — are gifts from Him and are not your offerings to God. However, your spiritual reflections are His gifts, inspirations, and grace. Conversely, it is what originates from sinful speech, false truths, and blasphemy that pollutes a person (Matthew 15:11, 19-20). Thus, let us purify our inner selves to ensure our offerings are pleasing to God. We must identify all that is righteous and just to present as sacrifices to the Lord.
Righteousness is not found only in physical procreation, which brings forth children, often at the expense of purity. Despite marriage sanctifying both partners, the womb of a virgin can also open without matrimonial holiness. Holiness is not exclusive to males, as women participate in sanctification too, revealing the intertwined nature of both genders, each with defined responsibilities: women bear children to sustain humanity, an act impossible for men. This concept extends to the duties of the soul, which transcends defined gender. The soul, which is neither male nor female, embodies the responsibilities of both — it marries, conceives, and bears. Just as women are naturally endowed with a womb to nurture life monthly, the soul possesses a similar capacity to nurture our thoughts, cultivating vibrant ideas.
Isaiah expressed this notion by saying, “In the womb we have perceived and begotten the spirit of salvation” (Isaiah 26:18), demonstrating the soul's womb metaphorically. Among these thoughts, some are corrupting, like deceit, selfishness, indulgence, and a lack of restraint, that can weaken our spiritual resolve. In contrast, virtues such as purity, patience, wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice strengthen both our minds and bodies, preparing us for virtuous living. These qualities emerge from the spiritual nurturing of the soul, akin to what the prophet indicates when stating, “In the womb we have perceived and begotten the spirit of salvation.” Thus, he who spreads the spirit of salvation bears the burden of labor, bringing forth the virtuous.
Let your soul cultivate such offspring, ensuring they are nurtured and born at the appointed time, so as not to risk being unprepared for the Day of Judgment. The Lord Jesus spoke of the weight of such responsibilities: “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse babies in those days” (Luke 21:23). Therefore, let us resolve within the proper timeframe, filling our intentions with good actions, so that when our earthly life concludes, we shall leave nothing undone and carry no unfinished work. Thus, hasten, O soul, to foster your spiritual offspring and resolve to nurture them earnestly!
The Apostle Paul illustrated this in his words: “My children, whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). May all aspects of our inner selves unite in this image, allowing Christ to thrive in the fruitful womb of our souls. May faith be our legacy and doctrinal teachings sustain us. Let these nourish our hearts, instruct in our youth, and guide us into old age of virtuous living, for a life without fault is indeed the essence of true maturity (Proverbs 4:9). Aged wisdom that escapes the stain of disbelief is most admirable. Paul sought to protect his spiritual children from such perils, proclaiming, “I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:15), shielding their nascent faith from corrupting influences.
Paul understood that the true sacrifice acceptable to God is a spiritual one, as the Scripture asserts: “All the males that open the womb shall be dedicated to the Lord” and “All the males of your cattle and sheep that are firstborn, you shall consecrate to the Lord” (Exodus 13:12). This signifies what is perfect and reasonable, as opposed to those elements that are less aware, which resemble animals; if they are guided by a shepherd, they can learn discipline and obedience. The natural inclination for obedience to those who shepherd them can override their instinctual behaviors.
Likewise, our senses can either be obedient and aligned with our reason or they can succumb to baser instincts under the absence of guidance. The senses that submit to rational thought are robust and virtuous, while those without direction may succumb to immediate gratification, depriving the soul of its strength. Such desires lead to a struggle against the virtue within, as described by Paul, who grappled with the law of sin after acknowledging the war waged in him. He entrusted his release not to his own strength but to the grace of Christ.
The sacred senses, led by virtue, are the earliest of our perceptions, while the corrupted aspects are associated with lower impulses. Moses may have referred to these varying categories within the law, which includes offerings that reflect our efforts, much like producing the first fruits of grain. The holy movements of our senses, which reflect virtue, constitute the first fruits of our spiritual endeavors, paralleling the agricultural yield we produce through diligence.
As grain is harvested and refined, and the chaff discarded, the purest and most substantial thoughts yield nourishment for virtue. “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4). Thus, the worthless thoughts dissipate like smoke, obscuring the true vision of the mind.
“Thus the Lord declares, when you enter the land I will lead you to, and partake of its bounty, you shall present a separate gift to the Lord; from the beginnings of your dough, you shall make bread as an offering from your threshing floor” (Numbers 15:18-21). This dough represents our very selves, composed of various elements: cold mingled with heat, wet with dry. Many fleshly temptations intertwine here, yet these do not embody our true essence. Composed of spirit, soul, and body, the truest aspects of ourselves require sanctification: “But the God of peace Himself shall sanctify you wholly; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The initial fruits of our being, created from the purest feelings and intentions, are intrinsically spiritual.
However, not all sensations may claim this status; only those free from evil and deceit. Bodily desires, while necessary, are not the first offerings; true sanctification arises from love, faith, and piety. The sacrifice of Abraham's son Isaac exemplifies this, as he offered a pure gift to God, untouched by earthly passions, prioritizing divine obedience over human attachment.
Let us contemplate the significance of first fruits — whether they arise from time or holiness, realizing that true holiness defines that sacrificial worth. Per biblical law, first fruits are holy, not due solely to their timing but because they embody faith; their value lies in godliness, not mere chronology. While the harvest may rush forth, true piety often reveals itself slowly; hence, not every firstborn holds holiness, though everything holy qualifies as a firstborn. Cain, though firstborn, lacked holiness, while Israel, referred to as the firstborn, received this title as indicated by the prophets: “My firstborn is Israel” (Exodus 4:22). Though Levi is not the firstborn, as the third son of Leah, the tribe of Levites is designated as holy for their service, chosen to replace all firstborns of Israel.
The Scripture reminds us that the Levites, designated as firstborn, symbolize those freed for divine service and chosen for spiritual tasks. Their lives, characterized by holiness, distinguish them from the mundane, affirming their role within paradigms beyond worldly dominion. The essence of collective faith, where two or three gather in His name (Matthew 18:20), reveals their communion with the divine.
In pursuing faith, we strive for perfected works, as this becomes a true sacrifice. “Ensure your offerings are made holy on My feast days” (Numbers 28:2), implying that your gifts must represent true sincerity — unblemished and complete. The Lord's Day serves as an occasion to express gratitude for cultivated virtues, as genuine commitment elevates the spirit above worldly temptations and avoids distractions from zeal and virtue.
Consequently, the roads of virtue are paved with effort; “Every firstborn of a donkey shall be redeemed with a lamb” (Exodus 13:13), signifying that the unclean must be replaced with what is pure. Should the unclean be present, it must be exchanged, illustrating spiritual transformation — where our endeavors must align with holiness. If one fails to redeem thoroughly, cleansing occurs through good works, embodying the essence of faith and charity.
The redemption realized through Christ's blood encapsulates our sacrifice: “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19), affirming that salvation should not lead us astray but rather anchor us in faith.