Spiritual Vision and the Seed of Abraham

So she flees, and while fleeing, an angel finds her; for an angel does not become invisible. For this is what the addition of 'of the Lord' signifies. It has been said that the evil ones are called such, as it is said: 'An apostolate through evil angels... we shall judge angels' (Acts 13:46). The angel does not find her fleeing, but turns her back because of the greatness of virtue; for the didactic word and the lessons of the introduction turn back toward virtue.

And it is also good that, saying she was found in the desert and at the spring, she is said to be found on Your way, which is interpreted as continuity; for she did not become a fugitive outside the house, nor did she flee quickly. Just as when we began the introductions to virtue, she does not go outside the enclosure but remains in the introduction. Therefore, the didactic word also turns back, showing him the fitness of remaining by saying: 'Where do you come from and where are you going?' For the virtuous person must know both the beginnings and the goal. But he who uses the introduction, often boasting of the greatness of virtue, remains in it in a certain way, fleeing the tone of perfection; for this is shown by: 'I am fleeing from the presence of Sarah, my mistress' (Gen 16:6).

But even when the beauty of the spiritual law stands present, the shadowy things flee, those luminous sacrifices being handed over and brought in by the shadow; so also the partial is nullified when the perfect stands present. The one hearing toward the Savior fled from the presence, saying: 'You must be born again' (John 3:7), and saying: 'How can a man be born when he is old?' (John 3:4); for the divine thinks in a human way. And it is also good to be found at the spring of water; for the one being led into the pure things is found, which is what the water signifies, and into the desert of evils such a one is, having been removed from wickedness and possessing virtue.

And the angel of the Lord said to her: 'Return to your mistress and humble yourself under her hands' (Gen 20:6). The literal sense is not obscure; but it is shown from the allegory that, even if each one is led by some reasonable action, which he thought to be among those surrounding the shadow of the law, and as if he were fleeing...

The teaching word turns such a spiritual vision back toward the preceding will. For the Lord indeed placed the things in the letters of the shadow to stand away by saying: 'What multitude of your sacrifices to me?' (Psalm 50:6) and 'Shall I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay to the Most High your vows' (Psalm 51:16). Great indeed is that which, being called master under the hands of spiritual teaching, is found and humbled by it, not being humble itself but as toward a master. For that which has been glorified in this part will not be glorified because of the surpassing glory.

And the angel of the Lord said to her: 'I will multiply your seed, and it shall not be numbered from the multitude' (Genesis 16:10). He who lives according to the introduction is not undeservedly worthy of blessing; for his progress, proceeding toward the approaching goal, will reach the perfection. And observe that regarding virtue—for from it is the genuine seed of Abraham—after God had brought him out and said: 'Look now at the heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them' (Genesis 15:5), it was said: 'So shall your seed be,' but regarding this it was not said 'according to the stars shall your seed be,' but only: 'it shall not be numbered from the multitude,' so that perhaps from this difference you might be able to know that the offspring of the perfect are luminous, while those of the introduction are not such.

And the angel of the Lord said to her: 'Behold, you are in the womb and shall bear a son, and you shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has heard your affliction' (Genesis 16:11). Great indeed in that time was childbearing considered text gapped... and even perhaps of virginity and of the teaching concerning virtue prevailing among men; therefore they used to make prayers concerning this and in matters of blessing they counted such things. And these things indeed were said because of the emphasis of the spoken word; but those intended for understanding might be such things. He who is already beginning the Godly training and is in the introductory stages, just as a pregnant woman seeing toward this text gapped...