THEOSISGregory the Great
Then you shall experience a wealth of delights from the Most High. Those who deeply love Him find themselves enriched by the feast provided in Scripture. In His words, we discover numerous delights, and for our spiritual growth, we receive various interpretations. Thus, the plain narrative serves as sustenance for us, while the deeper moral and allegorical meanings renew our innermost being, allowing us to glimpse the light of eternity even amid the shadows of our current life. It is crucial to recognize that anyone who partakes abundantly of these delights begins to realize a sense of self-loss. Engaged in devout labor, such a soul may grow weary, for once it starts to receive these inner treasures, it resolves never to pursue earthly matters again.
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Captivated by the love of the Creator, it is drawn to Him with deep reverence and, in giving more and more of itself, finds strength. The burdens of filth now feel unbearable, leading it eagerly to the One it cherishes. This is beautifully captured in the question: Who is this coming from the wilderness, overflowing with delights? For indeed, absent the Holy Church, which is enriched by the delightful words of God, one cannot rise from the present life's wilderness to the higher realms of existence. Thus, she flourishes in these delights and ascends because, nourished by the mystical truths, she climbs higher in contemplation each day. As the Psalmist declares, Even at night, light surrounds me in my delights. Through mystical understanding, the soul is truly nourished, with the darkness of this life illuminated by the brilliance of daytime. Even within the blindness of this corrupt existence, the promise of future light enlightens her spirit, training her to learn and anticipate the satisfaction of her hunger for truth. Subsequently, it continues, and your face shall be lifted up to God. To lift our face to God signifies an elevation of our hearts to seek what lies above. Just as the countenance of our physical form allows others to recognize us, so too does our inner self get discerned by God. However, when sin causes us to fall, we may be fearful to raise our hearts toward Him; without good deeds to fuel our courage, our minds are mired in fear and hesitate to aspire to the divine, as our conscience stands in judgment against us. Yet, when we wash away our sins with tears of repentance, mourning our wrongdoings, great hope arises, and in anticipation of heavenly rewards, our hearts are lifted. Eliphaz may rightly speak these words as encouragement to the weak, but observing a just man suffering adversity, one must question the wisdom of his advice. This becomes a recitation of knowledge devoid of true understanding. The same hollow promises are echoed by all heretics, who lure the faithful by claiming to raise their hearts to God. They imply that as long as one doesn't heed their teachings, one has allowed their heart to sink into earthly distractions. While Eliphaz calls upon blessed Job to return to God—whom, as noted, Job never truly abandoned—he adds, as if making a promise: