"Say: The measure of all created things hath been appointed in this concealed and manifest Temple, wherein lie enshrined the knowledge of the heavens and the earth, and of all things past and future. The finger of God's handiwork hath inscribed upon this Tablet that which the wisest and most learned of men are powerless to fathom, and hath created therein temples inscrutable to all save His own Self, could ye but apprehend this truth. Blessed be the one who readeth it, who pondereth its contents, and who is numbered with them that comprehend!"
Comments:
• Reflecting on our understanding that one of the references to “Temple” is with respect to the Manifestation of God, for example in Paragraph 1.17 where we read: “O Living Temple! Arise by the power of Thy Self in such wise that all created things will be moved to arise with Thee,” in this paragraph we become further educated by Baha’u’llah that:
o The Manifestation of God is both “concealed and manifest”;
o “The measure of all created things hath been appointed” in the Manifestation of God; and that
o In the Manifestation of God “lie enshrined the knowledge of the heavens and the earth, and of all things past and future.”
• Furthermore, we are reminded in this paragraph, once again, by our Lord that the contents of this Tablet are far far beyond our limited ability to fully understand as human beings:
“The finger of God's handiwork hath inscribed upon this Tablet that which the wisest and most learned of men are powerless to fathom, and hath created therein temples inscrutable to all save His own Self…”
We need to humbly bow down (mentally, emotionally and of course, spiritually) with respect to this realization!
• It appears that a heart-felt acknowledgement of one’s powerlessness “to fathom” the “handiwork” that the “finger of God” has “inscribed upon this Tablet”, while he/she is reading and reflecting upon its contents, will attract His blessings and grace:
“Blessed be the one who readeth it, who pondereth its contents, and who is numbered with them that comprehend!”
• How much more to be thankful for!?
May 24, 2010
May 14, 2010
Paragraph 1.42
"Beware lest ye shed the blood of anyone. Unsheathe the sword of your tongue from the scabbard of utterance, for therewith ye can conquer the citadels of men's hearts. We have abolished the law to wage holy war against each other. God's mercy, hath, verily, encompassed all created things, if ye do but understand. Aid ye your Lord, the God of Mercy, with the sword of understanding. Keener indeed is it, and more finely tempered, than the sword of utterance, were ye but to reflect upon the words of your Lord. Thus have the hosts of Divine Revelation been sent down by God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting, and thus have the armies of divine inspiration been made manifest from the Source of command, as bidden by God, the All-Glorious, the Best-Beloved."
Comments:
• As can be seen in this paragraph, Baha’u’llah abolishes the law of “holy war”. He explains in another passage that “In former religions such ordinances as holy war, destruction of books, the ban on association and companionship with other peoples or on reading certain books had been laid down and affirmed according to the exigencies of the time …” (Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 28). However, He indicates that in “this Most Great Revelation”, “this momentous Announcement”, where “God's mercy hath, verily, encompassed all created things”, and His “manifold bestowals and favours … have overshadowed all men ..” this “law of holy war hath been blotted out from the Book.” (Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 21)
• Reminding ourselves about the first line of Paragraph 1.39, namely “O Third Letter of this Temple, betokening My name, the All-Bountiful!”, we see how in the quote below God’s attribute of “bounty”, manifested through His Manifestation, appears to have been instrumental in the abolishment of this law in this Dispensation”
“O people of the earth! The first Glad-Tidings which the Mother Book hath, in this Most Great Revelation, imparted unto all the peoples of the world is that the law of holy war hath been blotted out from the Book. Glorified be the All-Merciful, the Lord of grace abounding, through Whom the door of heavenly bounty hath been flung open in the face of all that are in heaven and on earth.” (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 21)
Comments:
• As can be seen in this paragraph, Baha’u’llah abolishes the law of “holy war”. He explains in another passage that “In former religions such ordinances as holy war, destruction of books, the ban on association and companionship with other peoples or on reading certain books had been laid down and affirmed according to the exigencies of the time …” (Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 28). However, He indicates that in “this Most Great Revelation”, “this momentous Announcement”, where “God's mercy hath, verily, encompassed all created things”, and His “manifold bestowals and favours … have overshadowed all men ..” this “law of holy war hath been blotted out from the Book.” (Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 21)
• Reminding ourselves about the first line of Paragraph 1.39, namely “O Third Letter of this Temple, betokening My name, the All-Bountiful!”, we see how in the quote below God’s attribute of “bounty”, manifested through His Manifestation, appears to have been instrumental in the abolishment of this law in this Dispensation”
“O people of the earth! The first Glad-Tidings which the Mother Book hath, in this Most Great Revelation, imparted unto all the peoples of the world is that the law of holy war hath been blotted out from the Book. Glorified be the All-Merciful, the Lord of grace abounding, through Whom the door of heavenly bounty hath been flung open in the face of all that are in heaven and on earth.” (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 21)
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