Hidden Wisdom In The Bible

Continuing the series of thirteen talks by Geoffrey Hodson In presenting certain ideas concerning the interpretation of our Scriptures, I wish to make it very clear from the beginning that I have no desire to weaken the faith of any Christian in the literal reading of the Bible, with all its beauty, consolation and inspiration. On the contrary, my hope is that such faith may be strengthened by a deepening understanding of the hidden wisdom contained in the many wonderful books of our Bible.

The Scriptures have been regarded by some Biblical scholars as belonging to a special category of literature, sometimes called "the sacred language". The distinguishing characteristic of this kind of writing is that while its narratives have a definite historical basis, the language itself is largely allegorical. It is constructed of symbols and allegories containing profound spiritual truths. This language is also referred to as the Mystery Language, and said to have been invented by great seers and prophets of old. And for at least two purposes: to reveal to those who could be helped, and to conceal from those who could not, spiritual knowledge and the power which knowledge gives.

Is this secrecy really necessary today? I’m afraid it is. The necessity for this reservation becomes fairly clear when we consider the use to which modern man puts scientific discoveries. Think of atomic bombs, for example, made from the energy derived from nuclear fission and fusion. While recognizing, therefore, that their knowledge belongs to the race, the ancient seers and prophets saw that if this knowledge became regularly available great harm could be done.

Let me illustrate this idea of allegory to you. Let me take the story of the stilling of the tempest on Lake Galilee, a very good example of an inspired allegory. The ship, for example, is looked upon as a symbol of the body of man, which conveys the soul with its various attributes over the waters of life. The disciples, like all people in such stories, are personifications of human qualities and tendencies. We see the impulsiveness of Peter, the business capacity of Matthew at the receipt of customs, and the love of St. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved and who was the only disciple present both in the courtroom and at the foot of the cross.

Judas also, who betrayed his Master, can be represented in each one of us, can he not? He represents the tendency to fall below and even betray the highest qualities in us for material gain. Happily also, the divine presence exists in each one of us too, even if asleep for a time, just as when our Lord slept on the disciples' voyage.

Then, you will remember, a great storm arose and in their anxiety the disciples awoke "the sleeping passenger", their master, the Lord Christ. Then He in His majesty and might arose and stilled by a word the raging tempest, saying "Peace, be still."

Here is teaching for us today. When we human beings are threatened by emotional storms, by gusts of anger and hatred, or by the cravings of sensual desire which threaten the success and even the safety of our lives, we, too, are advised by this story to awaken the divine power sleeping within us and call upon its aid. Thus uplifted and empowered we shah find ourselves able to say to the storms within us "Peace, be still". And with certainty of obedience.

The importance of the storms of life is also indicated in this wonderful story. For had it not been for the tempest on Galilee, the Christ might not have been awakened. So, also, our struggles and the stresses in our lives - these experiences can be the means of awakening our higher, more spiritual powers.

Do you remember the story of the woman healed of hitherto incurable sickness after suffering for twelve years? This also could be symbolically interpreted. A deep conviction awoke in this woman that if she set forth in search of the Great Teacher who was in her district she would be healed. Despite her weakness, she found Him, but was unable to come near on account of the press, or throng, of people in the way. Her faith, however, was very great. She stretched forth her hand and touched, not His person exactly, but the hem of His garment. And straightway she was whole.

If this story be interpreted as an allegory applicable to us all as well as a historical fact recorded in a special manner, then we, too, are spiritually imperfect and therefore sick; and we, in our turn, if we but seek, can discover the God within us and touch the fringe of Its consciousness. Then we, too, shall be made whole.

But we have a throng in the way, don't we? These people who are in the way symbolize all the un-Christ like attributes of mankind, the impurity, the cruelty, the unkindness, the selfishness and the self indulgence which coma between us and our Christ nature. Eventually, these must go. But, in the meantime if, full of faith, we reach upwards with our aspiring thought and prayer, we also may symbolically touch the hem of Christ's garment, the Christ within us. Those who have achieved this will know that when once the consciousness of the divine self within has been experienced, floods of inspiration and healing grace descend upon body and soul. Thereafter, straightway they can become whole.

Another interesting symbol is the mountain, said to be a symbol of the uplifted state of consciousness. You will remember that many of the great events recorded in the Bible happened "upon the mount". Christ was transfigured there, and preached His greatest sermon on the mount. Elijah, too, had need of counsel of the Lord, and he was told to stand upon the mount before the Lord, meaning to exalt his consciousness. And then there came an earthquake, a rushing wind, and then a fire, symbol of the restless and disruptive activity of the mind. But the Lord was not in the earth­quake, the wind or the fire. Consciousness must be lifted above the physical, emotional and mental levels. And then, as with Elijah, in the silence which follows, the Voice of the Silence is heard.

That story of Elijah and the still, small voice is quite a manual of meditation, a description of the means whereby self illumination may be attained. You will have noticed that in these interpretations, each story is regarded as descriptive of an interior, subjective experience, as if all happened within the soul of every man. St. Paul evidently took this view. For him, the nativity of Christ was an interior experience, for he said: "I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." And the poet has said: "Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born and not within thyself, thy soul shall be forlorn. The cross on Golgotha thou lookest to in vain unless within thyself it be set up again."

Such deep realization of the divine presence and activity within each and every one of us can indeed bring down floods of spiritual and intellectual power. And, of course, such inner power could be seriously misused to the detriment both of the user and of others. And so this safeguard has been designed and used - that of the symbolical language developed to conceal from the profane and yet to reveal to the worthy that spiritual knowledge which is indeed a source of mighty power.

By some scholars, you know, the whole Bible has thus been regarded as a collection of wonderful allegories, written in the language of symbols to preserve, to conceal, and yet to reveal truths which were normally taught direct only to those who were pledged pupils of Great Teachers.

Our Lord used this method when speaking to His disciples, you may remember. For our Lord said in privacy to His disciples these words which might be descriptive of His whole method of teaching by allegory and symbol. Here are our Lord's wonderful words spoken, I repeat, in privacy to His disciples. He said: "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but to them that are without, all these things are done in parables."