Under The Olive Tree

The temptation of knowledge is, I think, what we are talking about.

There is a “gift” of knowledge - but it is more of a mystical endowment than something you earn through study - although study does play a part in it.  If you don’t know anything at all, then it is pretty hard for the spirit helpers to describe anything to you - you have no knowledge of anything to compare it with - but this doesn’t mean that the basis of the gift of knowledge is the knowledge - the gift is in being given the knowledge of pertinent things - things that are coming upon you.

What kind of temptation did Eve fall for - and for what price would she sell her intimate relationship with God - knowing that once she took the step offered her - that there was no return; only a certain fearful looking for of the judgement of the matter - because the judgement went before the sin;- the pain and shame of her infidelity in violation of her intimacy with God was certain - not for the act - but for the overwhelming love of God, meeting with her in a garden of love, face to face.

“Eve’s tempter, thus the rabbins have expressed, a cherub’s face, a reptile all the rest - beauty that shocks you, parts that none will trust - wit that can creep, and pride that licks the dust”

-Alexander Pope   1688-1744

“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” - Romans 11:29  Paul is talking about the Jews who have not followed the covenant of God - and are fallen away.  He is confident that there will be some of them that will have an awakening, and a repentance - but he leaves this warning to the believer and the believing Jew - “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:” - Romans 11:20

“Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” 1 Cor 8:1  - Paul the Murderer

Our ability to rationalize and describe the great truths of the world around us, and the spirit world with which we are connected - is pretty limited.  It is possible to take a pretty good shot at expressing some point of view - or to manage your surroundings to produce a certain kind of experience - but to examine the facets of life and learning in such a way as to convey the essence of what they are; and at the same time have your audience understand you - is, with all due respect, challenging.

The heart of the law is mercy, judgement, and faith.  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. ” Matthew 23:23

Unless we become creatures who are in communication with our Creator - and the sum of our daily affairs is governed by our commending ourselves to him in faith - then we are lacking, and cannot see afar off, “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. ” - (Peter the Fisherman)  Peter went on to say, “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. “  - 1 Pe 4:19