Bless & Keep

Continuing the conversation about the priestly blessing found in Numbers 6—discussing the ideas of blessing and guarding in Scripture. Here is the quote from Ephrem the Syrian on the foolishness of overstretching our human images as metaphors for God. Who is so stupid and stubborn so as to suppose, even just a little, that because human beings have been called by names that belong to God, that the nature of man and of God is consequently one, or that, because the Lord has also been called by a name appropriate to His servants, that we should weigh with a single comparison both what is made and its Maker. Ephrem going further says that it is God who holds the true meaning of these words, and we, and I think this is self-evident, are the shadow. When God called us king', using the name appropriate to Himself, the true sense remains with Him, the likeness applies to us. But when again He called Himself by a name appropriate to His servants, the natural usage lies with us, but the appellation with Him. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crossingover.substack.com