Exegesis on the Soul 4

1Because that marriage is unlike carnal marriage, those who will have sex with each other will be content with that kind of sex. And, as though it were a weight, they leave behind them the bother of bodily lust, [turning away their faces] from each other. This marriage, however, [is different]. When, however, they have joined [with one another], they become one life.

2[] Because of this the prophet said about the first man and the first woman, “They will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

3For they were at first joined to each other when they dwelt with the Father before the woman led astray the man who is her brother. This marriage has joined them together again, and the soul has been united with her true love, her original master; as it is written, “For the woman’s master is her husband.” (Genesis 3:16; Ephesians 5:23)

4One step at a time she then recognized him, and she rejoiced again, weeping in his presence, recalling her earlier shame as a widow. And she beautified herself even more so that he would be delighted to abide with her.

5And the prophet said in the Psalms:

6Hear, my daughter, and look, and incline your ear,

7and forget your people and your father’s house,

8and the king will desire your beauty,

9for he is your lord.” (Psalm 45:10-11)

10For he commands her to turn her gaze away from her people and from the crowd of her adulterers, among whom she once dwelt, to dedicate herself to her king alone, her true Lord, and to forget her earthly father’s house, where the situation was appalling for her, and instead to remember her Father who is in heaven.

11Accordingly, it was also said to Abraham: “Go from your country and your kindred and from your father`s house.” (Genesis 12:1)

12In this way, after the soul [had beautified] herself once more in her splendor, [she desired] to adore her beloved, and [he, too], loved her. And when she united with him, she obtained [] from him the seed of the life-giving spirit. By it she bears upright children and raises them, because this is the great, perfect miracle of birth. And so this marriage is completed by the will of the Father.

13It is appropriate that the soul regenerates herself and again becomes what she earlier was. The soul then moves by her own will, and from the Father she obtains the divine nature for her renewal, to restore her to the place where she was at first:

14This is the resurrection from the dead.

15This is redemption from slavery.

16This is the rising journey of ascent to heaven.

17This is the path of ascent to the father.

18The prophet, therefore, said:

19Praise the Lord, O my soul,

20and all that is within me, praise his holy name.

21My soul, praise God,

22who forgives all your iniquity,

23who heals all your diseases,

24who ransoms your life from death,

25who crowns you with mercy,

26who satisfies your longing with good things.

27Your youth will be renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5)

28After she is young again, she will ascend, praising the Father and her brother who saved her. In this way, by being born again, the soul is saved. And this is not by repeating formulas or by educated expertise or by learning from books. It is instead by the grace of the [Spirit]; it is the gift of the compassionate [God]. This is the way of this heavenly reality.

29The Savior therefore calls out: [] “No one can come to me unless my Father draws him and brings him to me; and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44)