Confessions - Book Xii - Chapter Xxvi
St. Augustine reflects on the humility and divine inspiration behind Moses' writings, emphasizing the enduring authority and truth of Scripture as a foundation for faith and understanding.
In this devotional sermon, St. Augustine meditates on the humility required to receive God's grace and the divine inspiration behind Moses' writings. He highlights the enduring authority of Scripture and its ability to communicate profound truths across generations. Augustine invites believers to appreciate the harmony between divine revelation and human understanding, encouraging a deeper love for God and neighbor.
Text
36. And yet, O my God, thou exaltation of my humility and rest of my toil, who hearest my confessions and forgivest my sins, since thou commandest me to love my neighbor as myself, I cannot believe that thou gavest thy most faithful servant Moses a lesser gift than I should wish and desire for myself from thee, if I had been born in his time, and if thou hadst placed me in the position where, by the use of my heart and my tongue, those books might be produced which so long after were to profit all nations throughout the whole world--from such a great pinnacle of authority--and were to surmount the words of all false and proud teachings. If I had been Moses--and we all come from the same mass,[498] and what is man that thou art mindful of him?[499]--if I had been Moses at the time that he was, and if I had been ordered by thee to write the book of Genesis, I would surely have wished for such a power of expression and such an art of arrangement to be given me, that those who cannot as yet understand how God createth would still not reject my words as surpassing their powers of understanding. And I would have wished that those who are already able to do this would find fully contained in the laconic speech of thy servant whatever truths they had arrived at in their own thought; and if, in the light of the Truth, some other man saw some further meaning, that too would be found congruent to my words.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Humility of the Believer
- Acknowledgment of human limitations
- Recognition of God's exaltation of humility
- Confession and forgiveness as divine gifts
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II. The Authority of Moses' Writings
- Moses as a faithful servant of God
- The enduring power of the Pentateuch
- Surpassing false and proud teachings
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III. The Desire for Divine Expression
- Aspiration to communicate God's truth clearly
- Inclusivity of multiple levels of understanding
- Harmony between Scripture and human insight
Key Quotes
“O my God, thou exaltation of my humility and rest of my toil, who hearest my confessions and forgivest my sins.” — St. Augustine
“If I had been Moses at the time that he was, and if I had been ordered by thee to write the book of Genesis, I would surely have wished for such a power of expression and such an art of arrangement to be given me.” — St. Augustine
“Those who cannot as yet understand how God createth would still not reject my words as surpassing their powers of understanding.” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Approach God with humility, acknowledging your limitations and need for grace.
- Trust in the authority and enduring truth of Scripture as a guide for faith.
- Seek to love your neighbor as yourself, reflecting God's command in daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Augustine compare himself to Moses?
He uses Moses as a model of divine inspiration and authority to express his desire for clarity and power in communicating God's truth.
What is the significance of humility in this sermon?
Humility is portrayed as essential for receiving God's exaltation and forgiveness.
How does Augustine view Scripture?
As divinely inspired, authoritative, and capable of conveying multiple layers of truth.
What role does love play in the sermon?
Love of neighbor as oneself is cited as a command from God that underpins confession and faith.