Apocalypse Explained#1186
1186. "And no craftsman of whatsoever craft shall be found in thee any more."- That this signifies no longer any wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge (scientia), is evident from the signification of craftsman of whatsoever craft, as denoting all that pertains to the understanding, consequently wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge (scientia); for these belong to the understanding, wisdom being the inmost, intelligence the middle, and knowledge (scientia) the ultimate thereof. The reason why these things are signified by the craftsmen of whatsoever craft is, that they are endowments of the understanding, and such endowments are signified by crafts. Since these are signified by crafts, therefore in those parts of the Word where the construction of the tabernacle is described and also the garments of Aaron which were of gold, purple, crimson (purpura), scarlet double-dyed, and fine twined linen, it is said that they were to be the work of the craftsman, and elsewhere the work of the designer (Exodus 26:1, 31; 28:6; 39:8; and other passages). By those things, now mentioned, of which they are made, are signified such things as pertain to wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge (scientia); it is therefore said of Bezeleel and Oholiab, the craftsmen who made them, that "they were filled with wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge (scientia)" (Exodus 31:3, and following verses; 36:1, 2, and following verses).
[2] That a craftsman signifies intelligence from man's proprium is plain in Hosea:
"They make to themselves a molten image of their silver, and idols in their intelligence, all of it the work of the craftsmen" (13:2).
A molten image and an idol signify worship according to doctrine which is from [man's] own intelligence; silver signifies falsity from which such doctrine is formed, it is therefore said, that in their intelligence they make themselves an idol, all of it the work of the craftsmen.
Similarly in Isaiah:
"The workman casteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and forgeth silver chains, he seeketh a wise craftsman" (40:19, 20);
and in Jeremiah:
"Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the craftsman, and of the hands of the founder, purple (hyacinthinum) and clothing, all the whole work of wise men" (10:3, 9).
Here and in several other passages the nature of man's own intelligence is described by idols, sculptured things and molten images, as may be seen above (n. 587, 827).
[3] Continuation.- The end, middle causes, and effects are called also the principal end, the intermediate ends, and the ultimate end. These latter are called ends, because the principal end, which is everything in them - both their esse and soul - produces them. The principal end is the love of man's will, the intermediate ends are subordinate loves, and the ultimate end is the love of the will, existing, as it were, in its effigy. Since the principal end is the love of the will, it follows that the intermediate ends, because they are subordinate loves, are foreseen, provided, and produced through the understanding, and that the ultimate end is the use foreseen, provided, and produced by the love of the will through the understanding, for everything that love produces is use. It is necessary for this to be stated in order that the assertion just made may be understood, namely, that eminence and opulence may be blessings, and also that they may also be curses.
Jeremiah第10章
1
Hear the word which Yahweh speaks to you, house of Israel!
2
Thus says Yahweh, "Don't learn the way of the nations, and don't be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them.
3
For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
4
They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it not move.
5
They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don't speak: they must be carried, because they can't go. Don't be afraid of them; for they can't do evil, neither is it in them to do good."
6
There is none like you, Yahweh; you are great, and your name is great in might.
7
Who should not fear you, King of the nations? For it appertains to you; because among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like you.
8
But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols! it is but a stock.
9
There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of skillful men.
10
But Yahweh is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembles, and the nations are not able to withstand his indignation.
11
You shall say this to them: The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.
12
He has made the earth by his power, he has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens:
13
when he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain, and brings forth the wind out of his treasuries.
14
Every man is become brutish [and is] without knowledge; every goldsmith is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
15
They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
16
The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: Yahweh of Armies is his name.
17
Gather up your wares out of the land, you who live under siege.
18
For thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and will distress them, that they may feel [it].
19
Woe is me because of my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is [my] grief, and I must bear it.
20
My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth from me, and they are no more: there is none to spread my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
21
For the shepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of Yahweh: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered.
22
The voice of news, behold, it comes, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a dwelling place of jackals.
23
Yahweh, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
24
Yahweh, correct me, but in measure: not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.
25
Pour out your wrath on the nations that don't know you, and on the families that don't call on your name: for they have devoured Jacob, yes, they have devoured him and consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation.
