Bibliotheca Arnamagnæana - 01.06.1961, Side 108

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the Holy Ghost, and to lead Man to the 8 beatitudes, so that once
more we arrive at the number 15 (7 + 8).
The elaborate expounding of the theme in this chapter is on the
whole founded on the traditional concept of the significance of
numbers. By way of introduction, the author points to the relation -
ship between the first 5 steps and the first 5 ages of the World, in
which men of the Old Testament served God in different ways
according to the qualities of the steps.
Enoch forsook the World, left his wife and children, and was
therefore taken to Paradise (Ist step). Noah, standing on a step
of hope, was saved from the Flood by God’s protection (2nd step).
Abraham was on the step which signifies joy, when he received
God’s promises, and we find Moses on the same step (3rd step),
receiving the ten commandments, which lead the faithful to
heavenly joy. On the 4th step (of divine confidence) we meet David
fighting Goliath, and Manasseh. The 5th step (of gratitude) reminds
us of Joshua, when he praised God after the Babylonian Captivity.
The 6th step stands for the 6th age of the World, when God
taught the people of Israel six works of mercy (i.e. six of the usual
seven corporal works of mercy: to harbour the harbourless, to feed
the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe the naked, to
visit the sick, and to visit the imprisoned). God demands that
both friends and enemies get their share, and this is why the 6th
step is said to indicate moderation.
The 7th step (consolation) corresponds to the 7th age of the
World. The Jews thanked God for consolation after their exile,
and God’s friends will thank Him, when they are called home from
the earthly exile in the 7th age.
The 8th step represents the 8th age of the World and eternal
bliss. On this step the Jews thanked God for the restoration of
Jerusalem, and likewise (in the 8th age, after the Judgement)
saints and the celestial hosts will thank God that the divine order
has been restored, and the gap in the 9 choirs of angels filled.
A prayer was said on the 9th step that God will send fear to the
faithful, for no one shall be accepted among the angels or escape
the tortures of the damned who has no fear of God.
The lOth step (patience) signifies the 10 commandments whereby
God taught patience.