In the book of Job, it is stated regarding the adversary: ‘This is the beginning of the Lord's creation: he was created to be scolded by his angels’ (Job 40:14). Similarly, the Psalms reflect this notion, as it is written: ‘This serpent, which thou hast created to be scolded by angels’ (Psalms 103:26). It should not be interpreted to mean that he was originally designed to be ridiculed by the heavenly hosts. Rather, he came to deserve this fate after falling into sin. Thus, from the very start, he holds the status of a creature of the Lord; for in all creation, even among the smallest and most base creatures, there is nothing that has not been made by Him. From Him flows the essence, variety, and order that allow for anything to be defined or conceived, especially the angelic being, which, in its inherent dignity, transcends all other creations of God.
In a similar manner, what is found in the book of Job regarding the adversary states: ‘This is the beginning of the Lord's creation: he was created to be chastised by his angels’ (Job 40:14). This aligns with the Psalm that mentions: ‘This serpent, which thou hast created to be scolded by angels’ (Psalms 103:26). Such expressions should not lead us to believe that he was designed from the outset to be derided by heavenly beings; rather, it is that he incurred this punishment as a consequence of sin. Thus, from the beginning, he is a creation of the Lord; indeed, there is no aspect of nature, even among the least and most humble creatures, that is not crafted by Him.
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From the Lord comes every measure, every form, and every order—elements essential for anything to be identified or conceived of, particularly angelic beings, which, by virtue of their nature, excel all other creations of God.
We err when we interpret ‘This is the beginning of the Lord's creation’ (Job 40:14) as pertaining solely to the devil’s malice rather than to his nature; undoubtedly, the flaw of wickedness arose after a pure nature was established. Wickedness is so fundamentally opposed to nature that it does not taint it. To turn away from God would not be a fault if the nature itself were no longer aligned with being in communion with Him. This illustrates how even the presence of an evil will underscores the goodness of created nature. God stands as the supreme Creator of good nature and the fairest orchestrator of the evil will, especially when that will misuses the goodness within creation. Consequently, the Lord arranged that the devil—who was made good by Him but turned evil through his own choice—endures humiliation and is held in contempt by His angels. His temptations, however, serve the righteous purpose of benefiting the saints whom he seeks to harm. Moreover, since God, in His infinite wisdom, foresaw the future malevolence of the devil at the time of his creation, and understood the resultant advantages of the wicked acts that would follow, the Psalm asserts: ‘This serpent, which thou hast created, thou hast created him to curse him.’ This emphasizes that the Lord, in His goodness, fashioned him as good while simultaneously preparing for the optimal use of him and the wicked from the very moment of their creation.
Bless the Lord, my soul. Let us all, united in Christ, voice this affirmation. O Lord my God, You are immensely exalted! Where do You manifest Your greatness? In Your confession and splendor, You have clothed Yourself. Acknowledge Him that you may be adorned, so that He may cover you. You are clothed in light as if it were a garment. Clothed in His Church, transformed from its prior darkness to light in Him, as the Apostle states: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. You spread the heavens as if they were a fabric, and indeed, the authority of Holy Scripture is universally spread, akin to a skin that signifies mortality. This authority has been entrusted to us through mortal men, whose glory persists even beyond their death.
He envelops the heights with water. What are those heights? Heaven itself. What symbolizes Heaven? In a figurative sense, we refer to the Divine Scriptures. And what do the upper realms of the Scriptures encompass? The commandment of love, which stands above all. For love is compared to water because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, which has been granted to us. From where does this Spirit come - as water? Jesus declared: ‘Whoever believes in Me, out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ And the Evangelist clarifies: ‘But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him would receive.’ And He ascends above the wings of the winds; this indicates His supremacy over the virtues of the soul. What is the virtue of the soul? It is the love of self. But how will He conquer it? Because God's love toward us surpasses our love for Him.
He transforms spirits into His angels, and a consuming fire into His ministers. That is, those who are spiritual in nature, not carnal, He commissions as angels, sending them to proclaim His Gospel. The fire serves Him, for if the preacher does not burn with passion, he will not ignite those to whom he speaks.
He has established the earth upon its solidity. He set the Church upon the firmness of faith. What provides stability to the Church, but the solid foundation of Christ? The Apostle has asserted: No one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus. Therefore, upon such a foundation, what does it deserve to hear? It shall not be moved forever. He has established the earth on its steadfastness, meaning He founded the Church on Christ. The Church can be shaken only if its foundation is unsettled; yet, when will Christ, through whom everything was created, and without whom nothing was made, be shaken? Because Christ is steadfast, the Church will endure eternally.
Where are those who claim that the Church has vanished from the earth when she cannot even be extinguished by worship? The abyss is as a garment for her. Whose is this abyss? Surely it is not God's, for He has been described as ‘clothed with light as a garment.’ When we hear of God clothed in light, that light can be ours if we desire it. But if we wish to grasp it, we must no longer dwell in darkness. Now, if God is clothed in light, whose garment then is the abyss? The multitude of waters symbolizes the abyss. Every water and moist nature, flowing through seas, rivers, and hidden caverns, is collectively referred to as the Abyss. Thus, we comprehend the statement: ‘He founded the earth.’ This implies: ‘The Abyss, as a garment, is its covering.’ Water encircles the earth, enveloping and covering it.
The waters will extend over the mountains; this signifies that the earth's covering, which is the abyss, has risen to such an extent that the waters stand even over the mountains. We recall this event during the time of the flood. The prophet, seeking to forecast the future and not merely recount the past, expressed this to convey that the Church must endure through floods of persecution. There came a time when the rivers of persecutors covered God's earth, overshadowing even the mighty mountains. When they dispersed, it seemed that they no longer manifested. Perhaps it is these very currents that exclaim: ‘Save me, O God, for the waters have reached even to my soul,’ particularly the tumultuous waters that render the sea unproductive. Wherever the sea inundates land, it transforms it from fertile to barren. For beneath the waters, mountains lie hidden, as even the higher peaks were submerged.
Why did the apostles flee? They fled because the currents rose above the mountains. The threat was daunting, but how long would it last? Listen to what follows. At Your rebuke they shall scatter. And indeed, brethren, by God's rebuke, the waters retreated, meaning they ceased to press upon the mountains. Now the mountains themselves, represented by Peter and Paul, have been exalted! Those once battered by persecution now stand honored like emperors. The waters fled at God's command, for, as Proverbs states: The heart of kings is in the hand of God; He directs it as He wishes. God has ordained peace for Christians, and the authority of the Apostles has burgeoned.
At the sound of Your thunder they shall be terrified. Who would not fear the voice of God declared through the apostles, His voice echoing in Scripture? The sea calmed, the waters trembled, and the mountains were revealed, while the emperor issued commands. Yet, who would have willed this if God had not spoken? Because it was God’s will, they commanded, and it was fulfilled. Hence, let no man claim anything for himself.
The mountains rise, and the valleys lower to the place You have established for them. He continues speaking of the waters. Let us not perceive mountains as mere land, nor valleys simply as earthly regions, but as waves that could be likened to mountains. The sea once surged, and its waves rose like mountains, which could have concealed the Apostolic mountains. But how long do the mountains elevate and the plains descend? They roared, and now they are pacified. When they were furious, they were mountains; now, calmed, they are plains, for He has ordained a place for them. There is, as it were, a channel, a depth where all these agitated hearts of mortals have withdrawn.
They were once mountains; now they are plains: yet even in tranquility, the sea remains present. Why are they not ferocious now? Why do they not rage? Why do they not try to overshadow our land? Why do they refrain? Listen. You have set a boundary they shall not cross, nor turn back to cover the earth. Now that the fiercest waves have been measured, we are permitted to proclaim such truths with boldness; for they have an appointed limit that they cannot transcend and will not return to overwhelm the earth; what is occurring upon the earth itself? What activity unfolds now that the sea has receded?
You send forth springs into the valleys. You dispatch springs to the low places among the lands; hills and mountains juxtapose with valleys and smaller depressions. Do not disdain the low spots; springs flow from them. You direct springs into the smaller valleys. Listen to the mountain. The Apostle stated, I labored more than all; certain greatness is evident, yet immediately, so that waters may pour forth, he made a valley for himself: But not I, but the grace of God with me.
There is no contradiction that mountains are also valleys: as they are called mountains due to their spiritual height, so valleys denote the humility of their spirit. Not I, he insists, but the grace of God with me. What does it signify when it says, ‘In the midst of the mountains shall the waters flow’? We understand who the mountains are, the great preachers of the Word, exalted angels of God, though still in mortal flesh; elevated not by their own strength but by His grace; yet, within themselves, they are valleys, humbling themselves to pour forth streams.
Amidst them, it is signified that the preaching of the Word of Truth will flow. What lies in the midst of the apostles? That which is called ‘in the midst’ is a common possession. The common possession, by which all sustain themselves equally, resides in the center; it is not mine or yours, as it is not individualized; it is the proclamation of peace. Brethren, let the messages we have shared serve this purpose regarding the springs: that they may flow from you, being valleys, and share the blessings of God generously with all. Let the waters flow in the midst; envy none, drink deeply, be filled, and overflow when you are satisfied. Let the shared waters of God be glorified everywhere, not the private murmurings of men.
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