Christian Art | George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Ungratefulnesse
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Ungratefulnesse
Lord, with what bountie and rare clemencie
Hast thou redeem’d us from the grave!
If thou hadst let us runne,
Gladly had man ador’d the sunne,
And thought his god most brave;
Where now we shall be better gods then he.
Thou hast but two rare cabinets full of treasure,
The Trinitie, and Incarnation:
Thou hast unlockt them both,
And made them jewels to betroth
The work of thy creation
Unto thy self in everlasting pleasure.
The statelier cabinet is the Trinitie,
Whose sparkling light accesse denies:
Therefore thou dost not show
This fully to us, till death blow
The dust into our eyes:
For by that powder thou wilt make us see.
But all thy sweets are packt up in the other;
Thy mercies thither flock and flow:
That as the first affrights,
This may allure us with delights;
Because this box we know;
For we have all of us just such another.
But man is close, reserv’d, and dark to thee:
When thou demandest but a heart,
He cavils instantly.
In his poore cabinet of bone
Sinnes have their box apart,
Defrauding thee, who gavest two for one.
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Ungratefulnesse
The poem explores the relationship between divine generosity and human reluctance, presenting a meditation on God’s revelation and humanity’s limited response. Herbert uses the metaphor of two ‘cabinets’ filled with treasure to describe God’s ultimate gifts to humanity: the Trinity and the Incarnation. These cabinets symbolize the profound mysteries of divine nature and Christ’s embodiment, emphasizing both spiritual wealth and revelation.
The first stanza establishes the theme of divine generosity and a human tendency toward idolatry. Herbert acknowledges that, had God not redeemed humanity, people would have worshipped lesser lights, such as the sun, mistaking its created brilliance for the divine. The phrase ‘better gods than he’ implies that, through divine revelation, human beings are offered access to a higher understanding of God, surpassing the sun’s natural beauty and power.
The image of the ‘two rare cabinets’ introduces the core metaphors of the poem. The Trinity, described as the ‘statelier cabinet’, remains largely inaccessible to human understanding. Its ‘sparkling light’ blinds human perception, reinforcing its divine mystery. The poet suggests that the Trinity will be fully revealed only at death when ‘dust’ — mortality itself — clears human vision, emphasizing the contrast between the divine’s radiant clarity and human limitation.
The second cabinet, representing the Incarnation, is described as more familiar and accessible. This ‘box’ contains divine mercy and grace, qualities that ‘flock and flow’ toward humanity, drawing humanity with its sweetness. The Incarnation, through Christ’s presence, becomes a point of divine encounter that is more approachable than the abstract mystery of the Trinity. The poet suggests that the familiarity of the Incarnation makes divine love more relatable and transformative.
However, the poem also critiques human responses to divine generosity. Despite God’s openness, ‘man is close, reserved, and dark.’ The poet contrasts the openness of God’s revelation with the inwardness of human sin. The image of the ‘cabinet of bone’ — the human heart — suggests that people guard their inner lives, withholding their full selves from God. The ‘box apart’ where sins are kept reflects a divided interior life where sin is concealed and protected, preventing full communion with God.
The closing line, ‘Defrauding thee, who gavest two for one,’ highlights the imbalance between divine generosity and human withholding. God has given the profound gifts of the Trinity and Incarnation, yet humanity offers back only a fractured heart, unwilling to reciprocate with sincerity and openness.
Through the poem, metaphors of light and treasure serve to contrast divine abundance with human limitation. The idea of the Trinity as a cabinet too dazzling to fully open reinforces a concept of divine mystery, while the Incarnation’s accessible sweetness reminds readers of the immediacy of God’s grace. The poem’s structure moves from gratitude and awe to self-reflection and critique, suggesting that while God gives freely, human beings remain hesitant, holding back their hearts.
This tension between divine openness and human reservation underpins the poem’s theological exploration. It challenges the reader to consider the disparity between God’s self-revelation and human unwillingness to embrace it, emphasizing both beauty of divine truth and the need for a wholehearted response.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In this passage, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Jesus promises rest and relief, urging us to take his yoke and learn from him. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart offers rest for our souls, emphasizing that his yoke is easy and his burden light. This passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who offers us rest and peace amid our struggles. Prayer Dear Jesus, In times of uncertainty and despair, I turn to you, the source of all hope. Fill my heart with your hope that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in your promises and to find joy and peace in your presence. May your hope renew my spirit and give me the strength to face each day with confidence and faith. Let your hope shine through me, bringing light to others who are in need. Amen. Personal Reflection What are the situations in your life that seem hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ hope into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced renewed hope through your faith in Christ. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 is a passage that speaks directly to our need for hope and rest. Jesus’ invitation to come to him is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the struggles of life. This invitation is not just a call to physical rest but a deeper spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. Jesus understands the burdens we carry and offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The imagery of a yoke suggests partnership and guidance; by taking on his yoke, we align ourselves with him, allowing him to share our burdens and guide our steps. This partnership is marked by learning from Jesus, whose gentle and humble heart sets an example for us. The promise of rest for our souls is comforting. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and stressed, Jesus assures us that he is our source of true rest and peace. His rest is not temporary or superficial but a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. This promise gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we face, we can find solace in Jesus. Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering our burdens to Jesus. It requires trust and faith to let go of our anxieties and allow him to take control. This surrender is an act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus is capable and willing to carry our burdens. As we learn to trust him more, we experience the peace and rest he promises. The hope we find in Jesus is transformative. It renews our spirits and gives us the strength to persevere. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances but on the nature of Jesus and his promises. It is a hope that empowers us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others. The hope we receive from Jesus is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be a light for others who are struggling. Through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present, we can extend Jesus’ invitation of hope and rest to those around us. By living out this hope, we reflect Christ’s love and bring his light into the world. In practical terms, fostering hope involves daily practices that keep us connected to Jesus. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and being part of a faith community help us to stay grounded in our faith and renew our hope. These practices remind us of Jesus’ promises and keep our focus on him rather than on our circumstances. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the anchor of my hope. In moments of doubt and despair, remind me of your promises. Fill my heart with your joy and peace, and let your hope overflow in my life. Help me to trust in your plans and to find strength in your presence. May your hope shine in me, guiding me through every trial and illuminating the path ahead. Use me as a beacon of your hope, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. Thank you for the gift of your eternal hope. Amen. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Blessing May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. May you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may His hope guide and sustain you in all things. Amen.
Jesus’ disciples travel a long journey as they develop and grow in faith in Jesus. Their progress is halting rather than steady. The disciples make mistakes. It will not be until the events following Jesus’ death and resurrection that the disciples will gifted, especially with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, in order to found the Church. We may find we identify with the disciples as we think of any challenges we face in our own faith [ … ]
In these Bible verses, Jesus teaches that the Pharisees have got it all wrong in relation to the Sabbath. While God gave the Sabbath to man as an opportunity to rest and to devote himself to divine worship, the Pharisees have choked the meaning of the Sabbath in a mass of legalese, turning it from being a time of joy into a time of anxiety and empty observance [ … ]
