THEOSISAmbrose of Milan
When God brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as promised to your ancestors, He will bestow it upon you. You are to present to the Lord every male that opens the womb, dedicating to Him all firstborn males from your livestock and flocks. In the case of a donkey's firstborn, it must be redeemed with a sheep; if you do not choose to redeem it, you must pay a ransom (Exodus 13:11-13). The depths of these words reveal an astounding mystery and wisdom, bestowing abundant spiritual grace. The Canaanites are restless in their behavior, and upon entering their territory, you will observe that their recklessness and rebellious spirit have cost them their land, while you remain steadfast. Do not let trivial calculations or idle talk distract you—such as hananei represents, which is fickle conversation and tumultuous debate—but maintain a tranquil heart and a clear mind, as a safe harbor providing shelter to ships amidst a raging sea. The Lord has assured you of this stability, confirmed by a solemn oath to fortify your fidelity.
God does not take an oath because He requires belief or lacks witnesses, as humans do. While we rely on a promise and affirm our truthfulness, God's words themselves serve as the guarantee; He is truthful not because of an oath, but through His nature. Moses states that God swears not to invoke our belief but to acknowledge our human condition, for we often hide within the confines of societal views. We commonly presume that what is assured by an oath holds greater truth to allay our doubts. Although it states, “The Lord swears,” it is rather about judging those who do swear and punishing those who fail to uphold their promises. Therefore, it is written, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: You are a priest forever” (Psalm 109:4). God maintains His promise—He has granted us a High Priest forever—so you must also honor your covenant and recognize that you swear by the One who is incapable of deceit; untruth will bring about His retribution.
By dismissing your tumultuous and wavering thoughts, God will grant you a liberated heart and mind, allowing you to cultivate your inner peace, reaping its rewards while ensuring that the Canaanites—symbolizing your disorderly senses—do not inhabit your heart. You are called to root out all hindrances born from pagan vices, clearing away the groves that conceal the truth and obstruct the light of divine wisdom through contentious disputes. Such endeavors can only be accomplished through divine grace. Thus, it is said, “God will give you” (Exodus 13:11), meaning He will bestow upon you pure thoughts, sound judgments, and serene ideas. When He grants these gifts, you shall offer to the Lord all firstborn males that open the womb. Not everything will be taken from you by God, who is the source of all, for much is generously bestowed to nourish human life. Physical necessities—food, drink, sleep, and other bodily requirements—are gifts freely given; they are not what you present to God. Instead, your thoughts about holy matters are divine gifts, inspirations from God, manifestations of grace.
Conversely, it is not the natural aspects of existence that defile a person but rather the words that stem from theft, false witness, and blasphemy that truly corrupt (Matthew 15:11, 19-20). Let us purify our being that our offerings may be pleasing. We must seek out the righteous and reasonable acts that we ought to present as sacrifices to the Lord. Our sanctification does not arise solely from physical union, conception, or birth—all of which open a woman’s womb—since a virgin’s womb may also be opened absent the sanctity of marriage. Grace is not confined to masculinity; both genders participate in the miracle of life, with each having their unique responsibilities. It is women who bear children and sustain humanity, which is beyond a man's capacity.
When considering the soul, we find it transcends gender. A soul, being formless, embodies the responsibilities of both sexes, marrying, conceiving, and birthing. Just as nature grants women a womb for nurturing every living being, the soul, too, cultivates thoughts, birthing the essence of cognition. Isaiah affirmed this when he said, “In the womb we have perceived and begotten the spirit of salvation” (Isaiah 26:18), pointing to the womb of the soul. Among the vices found within this womb are deceit, immorality, extravagance, reckless behavior, and shameful tendencies, leading to the diminishment of our spiritual strength. In contrast, virtues such as purity, patience, wisdom, temperance, bravery, and justice fortify both the mind and body in the relentless pursuit of virtue, birthed from the prophetic depths.
Therefore, the prophet articulates, “In the womb we have perceived and begotten the spirit of salvation.” The one who imparts that spirit endures labor to bring forth righteousness. Let our soul generate such fruits—not merely to conceive, but to give birth at the destined times, so that the Day of Judgment does not find our offspring still unformed. Jesus warned of this burden: “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those nursing infants in those days” (Luke 21:23). We must address this burden in due time, ensuring our thoughts manifest as good deeds, so that our end may find all in order, that none of our efforts remain unfinished.
Therefore, hasten, O soul, to create your fruits and nurture those you have brought forth! The Apostle reflects this numerous lineage: “My little children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). Let Christ take shape within the fertile womb of your soul. Let faith be your offspring; let the doctrines of truth be your sustenance! May they nurture the infancy of your heart, provide instruction in your youth, strengthen your character, and guide you into a fulfilling old age, for a blameless life is the pinnacle of age (Proverbs 4:9). A noble old age is that of the soul, untouched by the filth of disbelief. Paul, in protecting his children from such impurities, said, “I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:15), ensuring no deceitful whispers disrupt the sanctity of unregenerated faith.
The Apostle, diligent in teaching nations towards a perfect man in unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:13), cultivated maturity. He understood that such a sacrifice is pleasing to God, as stated: “All the male that opens the womb shall be dedicated to the Lord,” followed by: “Every firstborn of your cattle and sheep you shall consecrate to the Lord” (Exodus 13:12), clarifying the significance. Firstborn signifies the intelligent and perfect, while the herd represents our simpler, less rational senses, akin to animals lacking intellect, which be easily guided by a shepherd. Even those devoid of human reasoning can follow our commands, demonstrating that obedience can transcend nature.
The obedient senses within our being are ideal and complete; however, those uncontrolled succumb to base appetites, like a state absent a monarch and noble advisors, granting weakness to once-strong character. Such impulses manifest the law of the flesh, which fights against the law of the mind, binding us to sinful habits. Thus, Paul declared his reliance not on personal strength, but on the grace of Christ to escape this mortal body of death. Consequently, divine favor influences our rational faculties, while other emotions label us as subject to physical desire.
Our sacred senses are first among our faculties, with other senses resembling another herd of lesser significance. They may have been designated by various Hebrew terms; indeed, they are a secret granary of the law, of which it is articulated, “The first of your threshing floor and your winepress you shall not delay to give to Me; the firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me” (Exodus 22:29). Holy actions in alignment with virtue yield the first fruits of our spirituality—often paralleled with agriculture during harvest time. As grains are threshed, the more frequent their processing, the clearer the harvest becomes as the chaff separates. Indeed, the wholesome elements of our thoughts provide genuine nourishment for virtue, as it is said: “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Luke 4:4). Empty parts disperse like smoke, while the eye is obscured by worldliness.
Thus declares the Lord: “When you enter the land I lead you to, and partake in its bounty, you shall offer a distinct offering to the Lord; of the beginning of your dough you shall produce bread as a presentation from the threshing floor” (Numbers 15:18-21). The dough symbolizes us, a mixture of diverse elements: cold entwined with warmth, moist combined with dry. Within this dough resides numerous carnal temptations and pleasures, yet these do not represent our primary senses. Our essence encompasses soul, body, and spirit, where this mixture holds the utmost significance; the Apostle seeks our sanctification within it: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
The most vital sensations spring from the soul's force, yet not all sensations are primary—only those that remain untainted by malice, immorality, and self-deception. While bodily pleasures, such as sleep, food, and recreation are necessary, they do not yield the first fruits nor embody the sacred mystery, which is found in purity, love, faith, and godliness. One needs only recall the sacrifice by Abraham of Isaac, committed without capitulating to earthly trials, thereby offering God an immaculate gift free from fear or carnal passion, as even paternal love yielded to profound reverence.
Let us ponder the essence of firstfruits and whether they should be assessed by their temporal nature or their holiness. While the law defines firstfruits as sacred—since they embody acts of faith guiding our finest offerings—the sanctity of fruits arises from devotion and not their mere emergence. Hence, not every firstborn is holy; however, all that is holy is considered firstborn. Cain was the firstborn, yet he was devoid of holiness. Conversely, Israel is holy, albeit not the first in chronological order, nevertheless Christ acknowledges them as, “My firstborn is Israel” (Exodus 4:22). Holy Levi is not the firstborn as he is the third son of Leah, yet those derived from him, the Levites, are treated as firstborn, as stated in Numbers: “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn that opens the womb; the Levites shall be Mine, for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in Egypt, I sanctified all the firstborn of Israel” (Numbers 3:12-13). Thus, the Levites, chosen before the rest of Israel, stand out as firstborn in a holy sense.
The Apostle emphasizes this distinction: “You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, and to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven” (Hebrews 12:22-23). The Apostle enumerates four aspects: Mount Zion, Jerusalem, the triumph of angels, and the assembly of firstfruits of the church. God elected the Levites among the people of Israel to serve in divine ministry, freeing them from terrestrial concerns. They became His firstfruits to open the spiritual womb, chosen through renunciation of worldly desires and not birthed from natural vices.