|
The process shown in Appendix A16, figure 2, shows the unmanifest, the divine idea, or divine image, being translated into its essential manifest. In figure 2, the unmanifest idea or divine image is defined as: generic MAN. The nature of its necessary unmanifest, by reflection, becomes manifest as Health. This presentation of the two elements (unmanifest and manifest) shows the old element, labeled Disease, as somewhere left out off it all, in left field, quite disconnected from the scene of reality. In other words, the conflict to the inherent nature of man that disease represents, has been dealt with in Christian Science. It has been dealt with, not through confrontation, but through replacing it with Health as the manifest of the divine unmanifest, MAN.
The interesting part about this structure is, that the divine unmanifest has not changed in the redemption from sickness to health. It never changes. Only mankind's point of reference has changed in the process that is identified as redemption. Note, Disease is still on the chart, but it is no longer relevant. The reflection of the unmanifest, that unfolds in manifest form the underlying divine nature, is really quite an effortless path. Most of the wonderful processes in life are effortless. No one ever said that a rose strains to unfold its wonderful blossoms. The process is effortless, because the principle for it is laid down to the minutest detail in the nature and essence of what is being manifested. The 'product' is complete, from idea to manifestation. The same must be said about man, understanding Truth, that defines the nature of man's being. If there is a struggle involved, humanly, this struggle always occurs in the confrontational environments, but never in the environment of reflection where the redemption occurs reflecting the nature of divine Truth.
This duality in process, of growing up spiritually and then achieving a victory, involves frequently a mighty struggle in the confrontational environments. This smuggle is illustrated in Jacob's life which was a struggle from the beginning, ending only in the final moments at the Peniel. Before Jacob encountered his moment of redemption at the Peniel, his life was a series of confrontations, beginning with the deceit of his father and brother, followed by a series of struggles with his host and his two wives. But mostly the struggle was focused at himself. When his struggle was finally won, and reality was understood, the Bible tells us he received the new name of ISRAEL (prince of God).
With a certain liberty taken, the word ISRAEL can be broken down into two parts, to become the phrase: IS REAL. Indeed, this is what had happened to Jacob. We are told, there wrestled a "man" with him (the dawn of a higher concept of man) and when the struggle was won, he came forth from this place with a higher concept of man firmly established. In the final phases of his victory, Jacob took on the name, Israel, "is real," or "prince with God." At this point the confrontational environments were left behind. The reflection environment was established. This process of redemption was evidently so profound and fundamental that Jacob came out of it with a new name.
Technically speaking, the term "children of Israel," defines not Jacob's sons born to Rachel and Leah, but defines all those who have chosen the domain of God, of infinite Spirit, of divine Principle, reflecting in man the divine image. The term "children of Israel" identifies all those whose point of reference has shifted to Life manifest in health, etc.. Jacob's personal children, like Dan, Reuben, Gad, Issachar, etc., are individually identified in the Glossary as "Jacob's son."
The exalting ordeal that raised the point of reference for Jacob into the domain of redemption may not have been an uncommon one. It has been said many times, that in moments of the greatest peril a person's entire life flashes by the mental eye as if it were to capture a final summation before the impending doom, as if to answer that one last question: Was the struggle worth the reward? Jacob may have asked that question. The human society as a whole should certainly ask that question today, though the danger to its existence remains largely hidden at this moment.
Next Page
|| - page index -
|| - chapter index -
|| - Exit -
||
|
