THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
The power of divine Scripture is immense, and it holds a treasure trove of profound thoughts within its verses. Consequently, we ought to approach it with diligence to fully reap its benefits. This aligns with Christ's command to ‘Search the Scriptures’ (John 5:39), urging us not merely to read but to delve into the depths of their meanings. Scripture is characterized by its capacity to convey a wealth of ideas through concise expressions. As it is a divine revelation rather than a human construct, it stands in stark contrast to human wisdom. I will clarify this point. In human wisdom, the focus is often on the articulation of words.
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In contrast, sacred Scripture does not emphasize the elegance or particular arrangement of language; rather, it possesses a divine grace that bestows beauty and brilliance to its words. Furthermore, while the writings of men can be filled with lengthy and uninspired discourse, Holy Scripture is rich with profound teachings that can often be captured in a single, succinct statement. Our previous discussion only skimmed the surface, revealing a vast array of thoughts that we could not explore further, lest the abundance overwhelm your memory and cause what was shared to fade away. Hence, I aim to continue our discourse today, aligning it with our previous conversation, and conclude the explanation of the entire reading before you depart. I kindly ask you to listen attentively to what is conveyed, for although it may seem like our effort, the true benefit lies with you—or better yet, is shared between us. Yet, it is not merely our labor; it is a gift of divine grace. Now, returning to our previous discussion, let us sequentially address what remains to be explored. Yesterday, we discussed God's promise to Abraham, when He instructed him to gaze at the heavens and count the stars, saying, ‘Count the stars, if thou canst count them. So many shall be thy offspring.’ The sacred text reveals God's love for the forefather, illustrating how, by focusing on the Promiser’s might, Abraham placed his faith in what was declared, as it is written, ‘Abraham believed the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.' We have reached this point in our discussion, and now we must explore what follows in Scripture. It states, ‘And the Lord said’ to Abraham, ‘I am the Lord, who brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land for a possession.’ Observe the lord’s condescension, as He seeks to fortify Abraham’s faith and assure him of the promise received, almost saying, ‘Remember that I called you from your home.’ The words of the Lord to the forefather resonate with the testimony of the blessed Stephen, affirming that Abraham was indeed called from his dwelling and from Chaldea itself by God’s command. Following Abraham’s resolution, his father, though lacking in faith, was moved by love and accompanied him, departing from his home. In this moment, the Lord reminds Abraham of His unwavering care from the very beginning, indicating that He commanded the journey because He intended to fulfill and actualize all the promises made to him. ‘I am the Lord, who brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land for a possession.’ Was my call to you from Chaldea purposeless? Did I lead you out in vain? I charged you to go to the land of Palestine, to leave your father’s home, and to come to this land so you could inherit it. Consider the care you have received from Me since you departed Chaldea, and how, through My guidance, you have been glorified, growing in glory day by day. Reflect on this and firmly trust in My words. Do you recognize a special kind of humanity? Do you witness the depth of divine condescension? God desires to uplift Abraham’s spirit, solidifying his faith so that, disregarding human frailty, he may boldly focus on the power of the One who makes him promises, as if these assurances were already realized in actuality.