Thoughts On the Works of Philo?
Mans’ creation in the form of God is a bottomless pit of philosophy, being we understand man is in the image of God. From what Moses said of the words of God Let us create man in our image.
Let us look at the meaning of our image as Philo mentioned, surely, we can’t believe or imagine! God is in the physical form or likeness of man? Understanding the image of man and Gods’ similarity has to be spiritual imagery. Let us think of what this truly means.
First of all, as Philo has pointed out Moses said Let us create man in our image, leads us to ponder exactly what does this mean when we dissect this sentence, the term let us leads us to open the discussion of point pertaining to how many us refers to of Gods, if not one? Or does it elude to the fractional body of God and or God being a multiplicity of a being. (The Father Son and Holy Ghost)
Many would be led as believed by the Catholic Church this would imply the question of Jesus being with God from the beginning of creation. Also, the well know and excepted Spiritual essence of the Holy Ghost, and it actually being an individual functioning portion of Gods’ divine self.
By others it eludes to the belief that there truly is more than one omnificent being or God. Of which I will discuss in more detail later on in this theory. If you read the Bible we will find there is two distinct points of mans’ creation mentioned. Was man created twice one a failure or first prototype? The first creation mentioned of man can be found in “Genesis 1:26, 27.”
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Then we can look to the Septuagint we find in Genesis I. 26 the creation of man written in the manner of.
LXX Gen. I. 26 And God said, Let us make man according to our image and likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the flying creatures of heaven, and over the cattle and all the earth, and over all the reptiles that creep on the earth. 27. And God made man, according to the image of God θ he made him, male and female he made them. θ Matt. 19. 4.
It is here we find the mention of the duality or multiplicity of God, questioned by many since Philo and before. Is this point leading us to believe there is more than one God, or is God a multiplicity in one noncorporeal or many making one?
In a manner we can see how man is also a multiplicity of being in one physical form. How, let us examine man in our physical form we are one. However, in this corporeal form, there is a multiplicity of noncorporeal entities in the emotional fragmented mind we live. Also, our mind is bombarded with out side sensual input from our five senses.
Philo expressed the opinion of pleasure being the enemy of our soul, vice being the driving force behind it. Is not this what Jesus was eluding to when he warned us not to be putting up treasures in the world. In the manner of pleasure, we grasp to life and fear the unknown future of our next venture on the path to our eternity. Clinging to the desires of our world know through the senses of our physical experience.
Our emotions, many and varied as they are can to be understood to be independent of each other, as individuals expressing their wants and needs, in our thoughts we become a different individual pulled by the outer stimulations, with each change in our emotions. Anger, confusion, curiosity, love, fear, empathy, desire and the list of our thoughts opinions and emotions can be overwhelming.
We are seen as one corporeal being physically, but with the variety of feelings and emotional changes, we become expressively different. In opinion and action, with our soul being fed, or fed upon depending, on what we are doing with the pleasure being applied, in some instances as a vice.
Is this the point Moses was trying to make when he said “Let us make man in our image?” Was God expressing his ego in an individual but multiplicity of Being. If we examine ourselves and our interactions with other. We even at times speak of others as they didn’t seem the same, a completely changed person.
The second mention of the creation of man is in “Genesis 2:7.”
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
This mention was after God had finished the creation of all things coming as a conclusion of God works before the Garden of Eden. So, with the creation of man being spoken of twice is this twice man was created. Also, with God saying let us create man in our own image twice does God elude to being more than one entity, or what is understood as a split personality in corporeal forms like man.
Looking into the Book of Jasher we find the same wording on the creation of man as well in the Septuagint II. 7.
Book of Jasher
Septuagint
LXX Genesis II. 7 And God formed the man of the of the earth, and breathed upon his face the breath of life, β and the man became a living soul. β 1 Cor. 15. 45.
In all these we find the use of the definition as defined “let us make” a duplicity of persons or individuals of forms or God? Let us further examine these verses more deeply.
With man being such a complex individual mentally, and seeing how we are created in Gods image. Are we to believe that God is as emotional in complexity as man is. That would explain a lot about how man has faced the wrath of God over time. As if God had a short temper, as found in man’s emotions. Can we let the phrase “let us” bring us to the understanding our creator is not one but a counsel or multiplicity of more than one noncorporeal creative entity?
Then after destroying the world, great regret fell over God, then concludes he would never do this again. Showing mercy and forgiveness toward his creation. In doing so, did God have others assisting him in the creation of man? Then in Corinthians God mentions the creation of two Adams.
1 Cor. 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1 Cor. 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1 Cor. 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1 Cor. 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1 Cor. 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1 Cor. 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1 Cor. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1 Cor. 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Cor. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Cor. 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1 Cor. 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1 Cor. 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1 Cor. 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Clearly man is much more than a corporeal being, existing only on a physical plain. What will be our final form? The conclusion of our existence! Life everlasting is a point of Non-Corporeal existence, will we return and be as God ourselves? In these passages clearly, the people where at a loss of understanding. What was their body to be in the everlasting life?
Could it be “Let us make man in our image” may be God speaking to himself? As we all tend to do at one time or another. To this we will only understand when our time comes, then we make the transition across to being the Non-Corporeal beings we hope to be.
Let us all pray, these concept of our existence or not just our ego, incapable excepting our fragile existence in this world. Man lives on several levels since creation, the soul is the pure linked straight from God, the mind the middle ground of mans’ conscience, with the mind being linked to the world by the senses and the flesh, making the mind able to experience pleasure, sensory stimulation from the flesh brings troubles to our mental or intellectual existence. Purity of our soul is chipped away at by vice and corruption of pleasures.
We are burdened in this world, God has placed us here forging us as a fine metal. Temperance is our saving value to control and overcome these burdens, we are confronted daily our intelligence is the battle ground between the us and our salvation. We need to focus on wisdom and understanding of the words of God, these are the things that will guide us and protect the purity of our soul.
These are the things of the world, we are warned of being corruptible to the soul. And our non-corporeal future existence. Ideally, we would focus on our betterment and glorify God, in hopes of being seen in his grace, pleasing to God. However, we are distracted by the pleasures of flesh in the stimulations from sight of touch and the pheromones we produce to encourage us and attract us to mates.
As all who have lost control over their physical behavior linked with emotional triggers the feeling of pain in their heart is disillusioned and misdirected. They actual have anger and pain from their failure of self-control lacking in the ability to except their failure in doing so, they direct their anger out ward to those who disagree with them or appear to be the result of these heart felt pains.
The apostles knew of the struggle between the soul, mind and the flesh through pleasures of the world. We were warned of these things by them and can see the failings of men through history. No matter it being desire of flesh, money, or power, or strong drink, we were warned not to put up our riches on earth where rot, rust mold and moths could destroy them. Knowing it would be harder for a rich man to enter into heaven than a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.
I believe God created us this way knowing the struggle would only make us stronger, purer form or element as is done in smelting of precious metals. God knows what achievements we are capable of, as we watch our own children grow, seeing them confront the difficulties in their lives. We always let them know we are there for them to talk to and guide them. But ultimately, we know the final choice is theirs to make. With great anticipation we watch and pray they will make the good choices with their life and develop into the perfect adults we see in them, making us proud to say these are my children of which I am proud.
Know that we are looked upon by God in the same manner, his desires and expectations of us are similar to those of us looking down on our own children as they grow.
Our flesh comes in contact with pleasure, stimulated by our visual input. We develop mental images of our desires and become even more enticed by the pheromones we produce. Pleasure as Philo says is an enemy of our soul, why because our mind is stimulated by pleasure through our physical senses.
Our eyes see beauty in God’s natural creations flowers, birds, scenic views of our earth. Then we find we are stimulated by visions of God’s creations opposite in sexual form of our selves. The sweet smell of a natural female body, well-groomed and always with the sweet scent of perfume of her pheromones along is enough not counting the perfumes created to stimulate mans’ sense of smell. And raising his hormonal levels, which try even the purest of men.
In using intellect to weigh our choices against the damage they can do to ourselves and others. What goes on in the mind of a man who is married with children. Being tempted by a beautiful woman, or a vice such as gambling, drinking, or other things taking him away from his responsibilities to his children and wife.
Even in the past in the Book of Enoch there is mentioned married women using potions to prevent pregnancy so as to maintain their figures, in an attempt to prevent their husbands from going astray with other women, who haven’t had children and kept a figure more pleasing to a man.
Philo speaks of these things in great detail, and also gives Biblical reference for his views. Every day man makes decisions that will have dire consequences on him and their loved ones. A good person who is spiritually connected to God, will use their intellect to consider and weigh the outcome of each decision they will make. Those who lack this spiritual connection does not consider any thing except the pleasure they will receive from the sensory stimulation received of themselves.
Some lose control of themselves from visual stimulation, some smell, others touch as long as your mind is kept thinking of this indulgence or stimulation the more temptation builds towards the object of your desire.
Lets look into what Philo has considered on the growth and development of man.
XXXV. (103) And besides what has been already said, the growth of men from infancy to old ages, when measures by the number seven, displays in a most evident manner its perfecting power, for in the first period of seven years, the putting forth of the teeth takes place. And at the end of the second period of the same length of time, he arrives at the age of puberty: at the end of the third period, the growth of the beard takes place. The fourth period sees him arrive at the fulness of his manly strength. The fifth seven years is the season for marriage. In the sixth period he arrives at the maturity of his understanding. The seventh period is that of the most rapid improvement and growth of both his intellectual and reasoning powers. The eighth is the sum of the perfection of both. In the ninth, his passions assume a mildness and gentleness, from being to a great degree tamed. In the tenth, the desirable end of life come upon him, while his limbs and organic senses are still unimpaired: for excessive old age is apt to weaken and enfeeble them all.
(104) And Solon, the Athenian lawgiver, describes these different ages in the following elegiac verses:--
In seven years from the earliest breath,
The child puts forth his hedge of teeth;
When strengthened by a similar span,
He first displays some signs of man.
As in a third, his limbs increase,
A beard buds o’er his changing face.
When he has passed a fourth such time,
His strength and vigour’s in its prime.
When five times seven years o’er his head
Have passed, the man should think to wed;
At forty two, the wisdom’s clear
To shun vile deed of folly or fear.
While seven time seven years to sense
Add ready wit and eloquence.
And seven years further skill admit
To raise them to their perfect height.
When nine such periods have passed,
His powers, though milder grown, still last;
When God has granted ten times seven,
The aged man prepares for heaven.
XXXVI. (105) Solon therefore thus computes the life of man by the aforesaid ten periods of seven years. But Hippocrates the physician says that there are seven7 ages of man, infancy, childhood, boyhood, youth, manhood, middle age, old age; and that these too, are measured by periods of seven, though not in the same order. And he speaks thus “In the nature of man there are seven seasons, which men call ages; infancy, childhood, boyhood and the rest. He is an infant till he reaches his seventh year, the age of shedding of his teeth. He is a child till he arrives at the age of puberty, which takes place in the fourteen years. He is a boy till his beard begins to grow, and that time is the end of the third period of seven years. He is a youth until the completion of the growth of his whole body, which coincides with the fourth seven years. Then he is a man till he reaches his forty ninth year, or seven times seven periods. He is a middle-aged man till he is fifty six, or eight time seven years old; and after that he is an old man. 7It is hardly necessary to remind the reader of the description of the seven ages of man in Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act II, sc. 7.
“Note the number seven is considered in all calculations of the changing ages of man during his life.”
(106) And it is also affirmed for the particular praise of the number seven, that it has a very admirable rank in nature, because it is composed of three and four. And if any one doubles the third number after the unit, he will find a square; and if he doubles fourth number, he will find a cube. And if he doubles the seventh from both, he will both a cube and a square; therefore, the third number from the unit is a square in a double ratio. And the fourth number, eight, is a cube. And the seventh number being sixty four, is both a cube and a square at the same time; so that the seventh number is really a perfecting one, signifying both equalities,-- the plane superficies by the square, according to the connection with the number three, and the solid by the cube according to its relationship to the number four; and of the numbers three and four, are composed the number seven.
Though the book of Philo will be shown how God has created using the numbers as sighs in use of power he put in them. Liken also, how Philo speaks of the time of creation in days. Time did not exist according to Philo because time is a measurement taken from the moving of the universal properties of the planets, satellites and stars. So time had to be created during or after the heavenly bodies. In dealing with the six days of creation and seventh of rest. So many believe a day was actually one thousand years but who is to tell only speculation can be used on these figures.
As you see the Greeks were thinkers and used philosophy to examine scripture. Some may find this damaging to the understanding of the scripture, but I find it to be stimulating and deep thought applied to understanding can only make our minds stronger.
There is no doubt, but more wisdom through philosophy being applied to the words of God. Math and physics have to bring a deeper wisdom. As I have always believed science has done no wrong but in my opinion brought more proof of God and his creation of all. Down to the smallest particle of atomic matter, we have to understand that this is not by accident that all things are whole and maintain their elements. But an intelligent force has to be at work holding all elements and matter together. In perfect form and function, as we understand Jesus was able to manipulate these particles and change water into wine.
In past time and still today the belief was he did these things through the Etheric Plains. The place where no element of matter exists. We survive on air which is molecules joined together and forming oxygen becoming the air we breathe. And these are made up of even smaller particles on the atomic level protons, neutrons and electrons. Held together by chance? I think not!
Man is still looking for what science has called the God particle the portion of Matter, believed to contain the intellectual portion holding all the elements in their unique form. To this we know and owe to our creator, Never, doubt his existence. Know as hard as man looks there are things we were not supposed to know! Or have no need to know. The thought of man knowing all that God knows is a frightening thought. How much damage we do with the little knowledge we have now. Imagine what damage we could do knowing all God knows.
I would say, if you find time to do some reading of Philo Judaeus, a well know Alexandrian Jewish Theologian philosopher I’m sure you will find it most stimulating experience with great reward of understanding and looking deeper into God’s Word.
Let us work on perfecting ourselves, spiritually through faith in and knowledge of our creator and his Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Look to peace and service of others knowing the common ground we have together instead of differences, not finding disdain towards our fellow man. As Jesus said, love your enemies and those who would do you wrong. T Luke 6:26-33
Luke 6: 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 6:29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Luke 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
In Jesus Name “Amen”
Rev. Joseph Esquivel
God’s Faith in Man Church ULC. W