On Creation II

On the Beginning and on the Existence of God Homily Thirty-Four On the Beginning and on the Existence of God The Beginning I heard that Moses wrote before everything, and I desired to journey on the path of his words toward the origin. Five letters I saw that he inscribed at the head of the volume, and my thoughts were perplexed to discourse on the novelty of his book. Like stones he carved the letters with the chisel of the Spirit, and he built upon them a great house of height and depth. Like a painter he refined the sign with the words of his mouth, and he formed creatures who do not see him, as they are hidden. In the likeness of an image he mounted the world that came to be in the Beginning, and he placed it before the beholders who are perplexed by it. A great order he made, a likeness for his people, that he might form creatures and imprint the name of the Creator. The order of a king shows the presence before the servants of the king, and it raises the threshold of the gate of the palace. Like a foundation he placed that word of the Beginning, and above it God built as a builder. "In the Beginning," it said, "God created the heavens and the earth"— to here is the creation, and beyond it is the Lord of creation. "Creation" it said before "Creator," and the Creator is hidden, not that he is prior, but that he might make known the time when it came to be. It makes known by means of that which is written in the Beginning the presence, and concerning the Creator it reveals that he exists without beginning.

Without beginning is the Being who brought creation into existence, and without end He abides in the order of His stability. That He is and that He is, the mind is able to say alone, and as He is, it holds the door before His knowledge. There is no nature that can see Him, the eye that made His hands, nor His works that are investigated in Him according to their desire. He is without composition and without limit and without visibility, and He does not change from that which He is, the sign without opposite. His nature is high above changes and above seers, and there is no means in deeds that can suffice to say how He is. The nature that holds everything abides in height and depth, and within it is contained everything that becomes from it. From it the creation is filled, which made something from nothing, and this wonder, when there is nothing, created everything. At His command the great world stands upon nothing, and behold, the likeness of everything is placed upon nothing. By the power of life He makes natures, rational and mute, speak, and behold, the demonstration of the greatness of His power in the creatures. Natures cry out concerning His greatness, which is incomprehensible, and through actions they show the power of His making. His essence is incomprehensible to those who seek, how much they seek unto the limit placed in His sign. There is no limit to Him and no end to His seeking of words, and weariness does not cease for whoever seeks in the sign that is above him.

Remain in seeking, do not be perplexed by the hidden inquiry. Know your own nature and give greatness to your investigation. Seek, if you will, in the inquiry that is fitting for the One without limit, how He is by nature, the three equal hypostases. Seek how He is in the nature of the beginning: fatherhood, sonship, and procession. Nor is this by way of inquiry into the how, but by love that marvels at the knowledge that learns. By love it is fitting to seek in the inquiry concerning Being, and without disturbance, the beautiful reflection upon the hiddenness. Not every one who wishes to learn is able to do so beautifully, but only the one who composes words with a chosen mind. I entered the house of the laws that govern kings, and I saw the order of the royal house that I had not seen. Not that I entered the hidden place where I entered, but that I heard a new discourse concerning the hiddenness. A new discourse a man wrote with the reed of the spirit, and I wished to learn the power of the meaning that he concealed in his words. In the beginning a herald translated among the pagans, and I wished to know what the cause of his proclamation was. At the beginning of his words I saw, as he ran, the name "In the beginning," and from it the name of the Creator who created the world in the beginning. I heard the name of God who created creation in the beginning, and my thoughts were stirred to seek with love in the inquiry concerning His name.

His name is gathered in the inquiry of the name, that he may know his name. And behold, it is fitting that he be called by the name that is too wonderful for his name. God and Creator, call him Son of the Living One. And behold, it is fitting that I call him also Son, just as I have called him. For God is wholly perfect, I say, for the Son of the Hebrews, and the Creator, I praise, I say, for the work of his hands. That he is a being without beginning, truly, for me, and that there is no end to his divinity, I do not lie. That his being is not circumscribed by thought, I accept, and that it does not fall beneath the senses, I believe in him. That he does not change from what he is, my mind testifies, and that he is not subject to passions, my tongue proclaims. That with his being stands the knowledge of these things that are, and as in letters it is written in my mind and is not erased. That he knows all how it will be until the end of time, for the sake of the earthly and heavenly ones, I proclaim it. That in his being there are equal foundations that are equal with him, heaven and earth stand with the mouth of how it is. That he is Father and Son and Spirit, one being, the eloquent and the silent join hand in the measure of words. That the Father is, and the Son is born, and the Spirit is being, in the path of my confession, man and spiritual ones follow.

that there is no between Father and Son and Spirit, a sign and a gesture. If there were another creation, a small one, to confess, and it is not justified by a distinction of one from its companion. There is no among creatures to say how much that equality is. For when three exist, they exist, and in one they exist. There is no tongue that can praise that being. It is not that existences were said in that of the three, but three hypostases that are equal in that being. One being was said that it is, and again it says Father, and in that being three hypostases that are not justified. To examine the hypostases one after another from the common nature, so that each may know the true order of their hypostases. The manifest truth proclaims the order of their names, that all that exists for the Father also exists for the Son and the Holy Spirit. One nature, authority, and one will, and there is no distinction of greater or lesser between one and the other. There is nothing in the being that is less than the being, for all that is being, there is no degree of greater or lesser. The fatherhood of the Father does not precede his begetting, nor again is the creation of the Son less than his begetter. The Spirit is not inferior either to the Father or to the begetter, neither in being nor in authority over all creation.

one they are, as if they were placed one after another. Three they are, as if the one nature is in them. Three they are because of the order of their names, and again one they are in that the nature is equal in its existence. Not by division and separation is one distinguished from another, but by measure and number without confusion. And behold, the demonstration of this which I have spoken in their persons: that there is something which, when it is one, there is in it something. Look at the sphere of the sun, the great one that shines upon all: when it is one, there is in it light and heat. One is the nature of the sphere of the sun and of the rays, and neither precedes the other, nor is one the property of the other. In it are bound light and heat, and they are after them, and when they are one, they are three in their subsistence. The sphere of the sun and light and heat: three they are, and the three are again known in one without separation. Never has the sphere been seen without rays, nor has heat been shown from its orb without light. That is as it is in the order of its spherical form and the powers that are with it in the firmness that does not waver. In the manner of a parent, a shoot goes forth from within its orb, and when it goes forth well, it does not go forth from it by division. In the order of a subtle spirit, the power of heat dwells within it and goes forth from it without change.

To you praise in height and depth, hidden essence, that by a sign of your power creates worlds above and below. Behold, by deeds you show the power of your divinity, that binds and looses without ceasing from place to place. Two powers bind in the sphere while not binding, and they loose toward everything while not moving from their place. The power of their activity passes over all and in all, and its swiftness is not hindered in the expanse that is over all. And if the works of the sun are a wondrous work, its course is not more wondrous than the power of the worker who is without limit. His limit is not limited by the limit of limited things, and he is not apprehended by the investigation of those who seek above him. And if there is one who seeks to search out the words of changes, he searches a little and shows us these that are ours. Show how the soul begins within the members, and is hidden from all, yet reveals the power of its activity. As it is fixed, so also are the two powers in its nature, and they exist in it and outside of it without division. As the power of its life runs through all the senses, and its swiftness is not hindered in dense bodies. As the word from it goes out from the body, and is not distanced from its side nor from the side of all. As it is in it and outside of it in all its investigation, and however much one seeks, it is not apprehended by the gaze upon it.

From nothing he established everything, and from nothing he brought forth the world. He is the one who is before all, and beyond all, and when it pleased him, something great came from nothing. With his essence, these things came to be, not in a hidden way, but in love they were inscribed in him. In him the worlds were formed that were to come after time, and they revealed to him how and where and when they would be.

Not in a new way did he become, that he might create after time, nor was he in time, that he might be circumscribed by time, and then make his work. He made the order for the work of his hands, when it was, from his side, made and complete, without time. From a beginning without beginning, it was set for him that the power of his making might be revealed in the work of his hands. Wisely he made all that he made, the wise all, and no man knows how to be amazed at the power of his wisdoms. Lovingly he shows his love, the love of love, and there is none among the creatures that can repay the debt of his love. Artistically he established the world, full of knowledge, and there is no tongue that can suffice to tell of his artistry. A great wonder is the beginning of his making, and the world is small, that looks fair and is established in it. And if there were worlds piled up, a thousand thousands, they would be too small to see creation when it is being established. If the mountains of height had been created before its establishment, they would have been confounded when it was established from nothing. But it is fitting that as everything was possible for him, he manifested the power that is in him for wonder. How great, then, is that command which commanded and they came to be, and its swiftness was not hindered by the great extent.

How did heaven and earth stand from nothing? And how was that nothing able to make something? Not from nothing did he make the weight of that which was, but by a sign of that command which commanded and it was. He commanded from silence a hidden sign that rules over all, and everything stood upon nothing when there was nothing. He stretched out heaven like a garment above all, and he spread out earth like a carpet beneath all. He made firm spirits, strong powers that are not measured, and he set a limit for them when it was difficult to set a limit for them. He signed and the air was established, a light breeze, and it flew from his silence and took hold of moisture in four directions. He watered the waters, gathered the fire, spread out the darkness, and covered his work with the hours of night as with a garment. With the garment of darkness he covered the earth at the beginning of creation, like a painter who paints an image and then reveals it. At the time of evening the lord of the world formed the world, at the time of morning he revealed the hidden thing above it. In the likeness of an image he composed and made heaven and earth, and called the perfect ones to come and see the beauty of his splendor. All night he concealed the beauty of his craftsmanship, and did not wish that it be revealed how he spoke and everything stood. A great silence was cast over all when all was established, and both speaking natures and silent ones were hastening.

Twelve hours the silence rested over all. And when the silence was completed, the sound of "Let there be" proclaimed the light. A new voice cried out in creation, the Lord of creation, and the orders of the heavens trembled at the greatness of his voice. Like a trumpet he sent forth his voice into the midst of the dwelling-place, and the spiritual ones were stirred and came at the sound of his command. For their sakes the voice sounded, a voice not harsh, to teach them that the sign of his command would establish them and all things. By means of the voice he made them wise to the limits of the word, that they might know that he establishes everything from nothing. A voice resembling a motion in them he sounded, and he roused them to be confirmed in the power of the light. As if in a sixth day they were immersed in the whole night, and they came forth from silence by means of the daughter of the voice that cried out in the earth. Great wonder fell upon them before this voice, and they were amazed how they stood thus when they had no existence. By the motions in them they were stirred concerning themselves and concerning all, that thus they might grasp the nature of their own being and of everything. Great was the voice of the Creator for them, which he sent forth in the earth, and he taught them a new book that they had not known. As to children he wrote with the daughter of the voice instead of letters, and he recited to them the writings that became light. In the likeness of a seal he formed the voice before their eyes, and they began to cry out, "Blessed is the Creator who made the light.

Let there be light" cried that voice, a voice not silent. And the Word went forth to the work without cessation. Light shone forth from silence, a beautiful thing from nothing. And it pursued darkness like a warrior pursuing a foe. Darkness fled and hid in the corners of the ends of the earth. And the watchers marveled at the great power that gave power in it. They marveled not at it, but at the power of its light, how it stripped darkness and drove it out easily. Easily darkness fled from the inhabited world, and easily light arose and reigned over the earth. Like a garment it spread in the midst of height and depth, and illuminated the world with the beautiful radiance of its brightness. The ranks, the ranks of the spirits stood up to behold its beauty, and they were not sated with praising and glorifying it. Mighty was the vision of its light to their minds, and better than its light was the sign of its maker to them. They were amazed without satiety at the beauty of its splendor, for he also with them was praising them to the work of his hands. Its creation like its making from nothing, as it pleased him. And it was made and praised, not that it praised, but that it taught. For the teaching of the ranks of the heavens, he praised the light, that he who praised might be as it were fitting for them to praise. They praised and marveled and glorified and blessed its order, and confessed and worshipped and believed and affirmed the power of the essence.

The powers of the natures learned through the luminous ones, and they delivered the whole of the species to a single power that was everything. The authority of the light extended twelve hours, and it drove away the darkness that had come to enter the place of its being. The natures marveled at evening as at morning, because light is arranged in the same order as darkness is arranged. The spectators of the marvel saw that the marvel was the firmament, the silent natures that guard the order like speakers. In darkness and light they were being distinguished by the power of the Creator, who wisely prepared to arrange them by the work of his hands. A great order also stood there through the silent ones, and they bent their necks to receive the arrow of the name of the Creator. One day passed into the depth of night in darkness and light, and a voice similar to the first one cried out from the silence. Like a messenger, a command went forth from the hidden side, that the firmament be the heaven similar to the first one. It came into being by the work, and the firmament was from the midst of the waters, and it stood in the middle like a vault above the earth. From the element of water its foundation and its hard structure were made, so that it might be sufficient to receive the waters above its midst. [Lacuna] And it remained upon the earth, a portion equal to that above. The spiritual natures also saw a great marvel here: the depth of the waters, which the waters traversed and boldly ascended.

They marvelled and were amazed at the thickness of the expanse of his firmament, how its extension over the waters was so swift. For the abyss was equal and wisely ordered, and they were astounded, as though it were difficult for the flowing waters, and they submerged the waters. Beneath, however, its extension over the face of the earth, and it raised up with it a measure; with it ascended the angels, and the light, and the air. And from its extremities it was as it was, nothing remained that was not within it, enclosed in its height. But as it was raised up, a hard substance, and thick natures passed through it and were not hindered. It is very difficult in the inquiry of how it was and was raised up, but the command that was spoken and it came to be does not know it. My thoughts are worn out, seeking how, and they did not suffice to attain; and again I am worn out, that perhaps I may be able to attain something. According to my reflections, I saw as one who is able to do, to see, perhaps, in the place above its extension, this substance. And perhaps the whole region of water took a command, and when it raised it up, its command was difficult and it submerged it. When its extension ascended from the abyss upwards from all, and everything remained below on the earth as it was. Without delay its station was swift, and a mouth cannot say how swift it was. Very swift was the command of its extension in the height, and if there is anything very swift, it is more swift than it.

That which is called "the heavens above" was made by his command, in that form, from nothing. From nothing the first became at a small sign, and behold, from something in that likeness quickly. He made the order of his creation fittingly, with wonder and wisdom, creating from something and from nothing. To show the work of his hands in the order of his working, and to teach his creatures, he extended his labor over six days. He could have created the whole of creation in one hour, but his works would not have learned the power of his greatness. To increase the wonder of that which was given to create creation, that he might complete his own in the perfection of his divinity. At the beginning of the day he made the heavens and the angels, and the earth and the waters, and the darkness and the fire and the air. At dawn he established light from nothing, and the watchers learned that from nothing they also were. On the second day he made the firmament from the waters, and wisely it was that from something it was easy for him to create. On the third he gathered the waters into the bosom of the seas, and showed that his command is powerful over his elements. On the fourth he made the luminaries, the sun and the moon, and showed that he could maintain the order of his working. On the fifth he paired the waters and they produced reptiles, and showed that even the silent ones fulfill his word.

In the beginning he created from the earth the silent species, and he set them to be preserved in their changes. As with a finger he showed them the power of his essence, that the watchers of the power might see that he can do everything. As with a reed he wrote for them a book in the air, and he read to them the letters of the ordinance of all. In the likeness of a sign his command stood at the head of their orders, and he taught them the power of the knowledge of his mysteries. As to an image he formed the world before their eyes, and he established them to be preserved in it firmly. As a palace of the king of kings he adorned creation with it, and he brought them in to see the beauty of the house of his kingdom. Through revelations he taught them the power of his essence, that they might not be troubled to seek the garment that covers his hiddenness. He concealed from them and they did not know the greatness of his power, and he revealed to them through his ordinances one after another. As a guide his command ran before their thoughts, and he led them to the teaching of the hiddenness of his love. His love revealed to them how much he loves the work of his hands, and he rejoiced greatly to preserve his labor from weariness. With love he created everything hidden and revealed, and without toil he completed his will and showed his love. He placed his power in the powers of the heights that were from him, and he empowered them to preserve the order of his work.

Like rulers he set them over every creature, that they might know how to govern heaven and earth. With great love they also submitted to his will, and readily bent their forms under his command. He commanded like a king and arranged the ranks of their authority, and each of them stood in the task that was shown to him. One he commanded to move the air like a general, and to make the waters flow upward from the region of the wind that is loosed. One he appointed to flash lightning swiftly, and to make the sounds of thunder resound harshly and violently. One he entrusted to hold the course of the sun in the hand of its motions, and to guide its running by night and by day without disturbance. One he entrusted to the small moon to undergo changes, and behold, he arranges it for the dwelling of time without alteration. One he commands to move the silent stars in order, and by their courses he makes wise the wise men of the word. As they were commanded to govern the authority of the peoples, and always to renew their authority. Some stir up wars on earth against the guilty, and some settle harsh quarrels from the victors. Some subdue rebellious peoples by means of their companions, and some cause the strength of the wicked to cease before the meek. One drives with thunder and lightning powerfully, and one brings down rain and dew gently.

There is one that humbles by means of the changes of summer and winter, and there is one that preserves the bodily [natures] from afflictions. There is one that guides each one of them to a single human being, and warns him that evil demons should not seize him. To the hidden will all of them minister with diligence, and according to his will they proceed on the path of their actions. For the sake of the love of him they live every moment in likeness, and they do not cease from the purpose of the recompense of reward. Like athletes they contend in the arena, behold, from the beginning, and for the victory at the end they strive with all. Wondrous is the arena that is set up in them without pains, and the greatness of his labor is ineffable in the tongue of flesh. How great then is the power that is in them to hold all, for behold, six thousand [years] are small and do not cease. How then do they work on the faces of height, night and day, and do not weary and become amazed at the discipline that is with the vigilant? How then does the burden that is in them err, the weight of the sacrifice, and weariness is not born in their minds? How then do they boil with the love of affection towards the Creator, and do not grow cold and turn away from the answer that is according to his will? By the power of his will he prepared a greater good than that which is in them, so that he might empower the work of his hands to preserve the order. To his power praises the power of the economy that is in the members of his house, and to his help magnifies every moment the crown of thanksgiving.