THEOSISGregory the Great
He gathers the waters within His dense clouds so that they do not escape from beneath them. In this context, what is referred to as ‘waters’ is likely a symbol for knowledge, while ‘clouds’ represent the preachers. The use of ‘waters’ in Scriptures indicates knowledge, as shown by Solomon, who remarked that the words from a man's mouth are deep waters, and wisdom flows like a stream. The notion that water signifies knowledge is also echoed by David, who speaks of dark waters in the clouds of heaven, signifying the hidden wisdom of the prophets, who, prior to the Lord's revelation, held within them profound mysteries that were concealed from the eyes of onlookers.
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The ‘clouds’ here refer to the holy preachers, the apostles, who were sent throughout the world, bringing life-giving messages and showcasing miracles in the flesh. This concept is prefigured by the prophet Isaiah, who questioned, “Who are these that fly like clouds?” Thus, this prophetic voice indicates that, by God's grace, the holy Church will flourish, and it informs us of her growth from the preaching of the apostles, who diligently conveyed truths that were simple and accessible, rather than lofty and complex. Holy knowledge is metaphorically called ‘waters’ because it is shared with the hearts of the listeners as if poured from their mouths. Yet, this immense wisdom does not overwhelm; instead, it nourishes the hearers with refreshing words. The apostle spoke of this nourishment, saying, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I nourished you with milk, not with solid food.” Who could achieve this except for one exalted to the Third Heaven, who experienced Paradise and heard unspeakable truths beyond human expression? The question arises: what stamina would his audience need when even the mere act of conveying all the knowledge he possessed could be overwhelming? To ensure that even inexperienced listeners find solace in gentle teachings rather than being drowned by a torrent of knowledge, God confines the waters within clouds, preventing them from spilling over. Through the ministry of teachers, He gradually strengthens the listeners, allowing their frailty, fed by the dewdrops of the spoken words, to transform into fortitude. This gradual revelation is aptly illustrated in the Gospel, where it is recounted that Jesus entered Peter's boat, asking him to venture slightly from the shore and then teaching the people. Peter's boat symbolizes the Church, and the Lord's directive to sail away from the shore implies that His messengers should not delve too deeply into esoteric heavenly matters nor remain solely in earthly concerns when addressing the unlearned. Therefore, the waters will not break forth from beneath the clouds, meaning that the preacher’s knowledge, tailored for the understanding of the weak, is limited so as not to overwhelm those less prepared. Often, if the hearts of the hearers are overwhelmed by lofty speech, the speaker's words may risk becoming inappropriate. This concept is illustrated in Scripture: “And if a man opens a pit or digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit shall pay.” Opening a pit can be understood as using deep insight to penetrate the mysteries of Scripture, while the ‘ox’ and ‘ass,’ representing clean and unclean animals, correspond to believers and unbelievers. Therefore, one who has already ‘dug a pit’ must keep it covered, guarding their elevated understanding from those who have not yet reached such heights. This is to prevent causing stumbling blocks for the unregenerated souls and to avoid harming the budding believer or the unreached skeptic. The impact of harming an animal is lasting, as one remains accountable for what they have done until they make amends through repentance. The pit must be concealed before the fragile minds of listeners so that profound truths are shielded from them; otherwise, the strong revelations grasped by the teacher could cause the weaker hearers to falter. Therefore, it is justly stated that He encompasses the waters in thick clouds so that they do not burst forth. They would do so if, in the presence of weaker audiences, profound knowledge was unleashed unrestrictedly, overwhelming them. It is vital for preachers to gauge the capacity of their hearers, presenting truths in alignment with their spiritual growth. Each preacher, following the example set from above, should refrain from divulging all their knowledge to the weak, for they too remain limited by their earthly existence and cannot fully behold the majesty of heavenly realities. As the apostle Paul, having been initiated into heavenly mysteries, stated, “Now we see through a dim glass; but afterward face to face.”