The authority of one's words diminishes when those words are not backed by actions, as articulated by the psalmist: But to the wicked God says, What have you done to declare my statutes, and to take my precepts into your mouth, when you have despised my statutes and cast my words away (Psalm 49:16-17). A preacher who disregards God's words while preaching them vocally demonstrates a disconnect in their faithfulness. How can others heed his teachings when he himself neglects to live out what he proclaims, suggesting that he is not truly listening to his own message? Regarding this principle of preaching, it is stated that anyone who breaks even the least of these commandments and teaches others will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, whereas anyone who practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19). Here, 'the kingdom of heaven' refers to the present Church, as indicated where it is noted that all the offenders will be gathered out of His kingdom (Matthew 13:41). To be removed from the kingdom, offenses must cease. Therefore, one who commits offenses in practice while teaching in words will be deemed small in this kingdom of heaven, and even lesser in the eternal realm.
He establishes the pathway for thunderstorms when He opens the hearts of men to the fear of forthcoming judgment. Initially, a decree is given so that the way may be made clear, for this voice reaches the heart of the hearer when it is backed by actions congruent with the spoken word. When He decreed the rain and provided a path for the storm, God then 'saw, declared, prepared, and found' this Wisdom. In the language of Scripture, the phrase 'God sees' implies that He makes us see, as exemplified when the Lord says, Now I see that you fear God (Genesis 22:12). Additionally, the Israelites are cautioned: The Lord your God is testing you to know if you love the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 13:3), meaning ‘He is doing this so that you may know.’ Following the decree for rain, He instructed to heed preachers, who embody Wisdom incarnate; He made Wisdom 'visible and declared' so that preachers might 'prepare and seek' listeners. When one lives rightly, they 'prepare' themselves to receive Wisdom's favor for the Day of Judgment. Notably, four elements describe Her: 'He saw,' indicative of She being the Likeness; 'He declared,' signifying She being the Word; 'prepared,' denoting She being our healing; and 'found,' referring to She being concealed. However, what is the Eternal Wisdom of God in the 'Likeness' and 'Word' of the Father when human understanding seeks to grasp Her? For who can comprehend the Word outside of time, or the Likeness without constraints? Hence, it becomes necessary to express something more that humanity can comprehend concerning Her essence; thus, one rightly partakes.
THEOSIS