Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?
Read Chapter 30
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
“Surely,” you say, “you will be kind enough to tell me whether Solomon truly said, ‘God has no son.’ ” This is quickly answered: not only did he not say, “God has no son,” but he did say that God has a Son. Wisdom speaking through him says, “Before all the hills, he begot me,” and what is Christ but the wisdom of God? Again, in a certain passage in Proverbs, he says, “God has taught me wisdom, and I have known the science of the saints. Who has ascended up into heaven and descends? Who has held the wind in his bosom? Who has changed the water as a garment? Who has held all the borders of the earth? What is his name? and what is the name of his son?” Letter
Raise your eyes to heaven, therefore, like him who said, “To you who lives in heaven, I lift my eyes.” Look upon the sun of righteousness and, as you are directed by the commandments of the Lord, which resemble the most radiant of stars, have vigilant eyes. Do not allow the eyes [of the soul] to slumber or the eyelids to rest, that the commandments might lead you perpetually. “For, your law is a lamp to my feet,” he says, “and a light to my path.” Indeed, if you never fall asleep at the helm while steering through life, given the obviously unstable state of worldly affairs, you will obtain the cooperation of the Spirit, who will lead you beyond and transport you with gentle breezes and in peaceful security until you arrive unharmed at that tranquil and serene gate by the will of God, to whom be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
Indeed, that Will for whom everything is easy constrains these abundant fountains of paradise, confining them with land, like water channels; he summoned them to issue forth in our direction, just as he bound up the waters in the bosom of his clouds, ready to be sent forth into the atmosphere at the bidding of his Will.
Descended. How then could I acquire such a sublime science? (Deuteronomy xxx. 11.) (Calmet)
Christ alone could impart it, (John iii. 13.; Haydock) who is the perfect wisdom. (Worthington)
Hands. Septuagint, "breast. "(Haydock)
It is no less difficult to fathom the designs of Providence. Some understand the "spirit "of prophecy to be here meant.
Son. Septuagint, "children. "But many Greek copies, and all the interpreters, have Son, which the Fathers explain of the second person of the blessed Trinity, specified chap. viii. 22. (Calmet)
It is not mere human wisdom that is claimed for himself by Solomon, who says, “God has taught me wisdom,” and who, where he says, “all my words are spoken from God,” refers to God all that is spoken by himself.
Do you believe that God provides for His creatures, and is able to do all things? Let suitable labor, therefore, follow on your faith, and then He will hear you. Think not to grasp the winds in your fist, that is, faith without works.
