The Icon of the Divine Heart of God the Father – 25

The Icon of the Divine Heart of God the Father: Part 5 – Brief Overview of the Theology of the Icon of the Divine Heart

It is beyond the scope of this work to enter fully into the theology of the ecumenical icon of the Divine Heart of God the Father Encompassing All Hearts, given its multiple levels of meaning and implications, especially in relation to the Divine Mercy (Kowalska, 2003), the theology of the heart (Sophroni, 1997b; Symeon the New Theologian, 2011; Zacharias, 2008); the conscious acquisition of the Holy Spirit (e.g., Kontzevich, 1989; Seraphim of Sarov, 2001; Sophroni, 1997a, b, 2006; Symeon the New Theologian, 2011), the Divine Will (Piccarreta, 1899-1938/2010), and the era of the eighth day. Not to mention the implicit, but vital, ever-present meaning of consecration to the Father, especially in relation to the Great Chastisement, atonement and entering into the era of peace (Apostolate of the Divine Heart, 2011; Bartolo-Abela, 2011e; St Andrews Productions, 2009). All of which would be singular volumes of works in their own right. However, some basic points are made forthwith.

Primarily, the icon of the Divine Heart of God the Father symbolically represents both (1) the infinite love that the Almighty Father has, in His Heart, for the hearts of all mankind (Apostolate of the Divine Heart, 2011), both individually and collectively. As well as (2) God the Father as the Life, Light and Love of the whole world. Secondarily, the icon of the Divine Heart symbolically represents both (3) the communion of Persons of the Holy Trinity, as They both emanate forth from, and are contained within, the Core of the Father’s Divine Heart (Bartolo-Abela, 2011b), in terms of Their energeia and hypostases. As well as (4) the Trinity’s relationship with the hearts of all mankind, once again both individually and collectively.

Tertiarily, at the intersection of iconology and Christianity, the icon of the Divine Heart of God the Father symbolically represents, both within itself as an icon and its components, (5) the immutable reality of the intrinsic nature of the human heart, the soul and the heart of the soul of the individual person, in relation to both the Almighty Father, in His own right, and the Holy Trinity. Hence, similarly, also the collective hearts, souls and the heart of souls of all mankind. The icon also represents within itself and its components (6) many core elements of Scripture, Tradition and eschatology; together with (7) the combined spiritualities and aims of the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.

Specifically, the icon of the Divine Heart of God the Father Encompassing All Hearts principally concretizes, in a visually tangible way, both the eternal ‘presence’ of the Heart of the Father and the infinite love that He holds within it for all mankind. As previously discussed in (1) the section on the meaning of the icon components, (2) divine revelation as manifested throughout Sacred Scripture (Bovenmars, 1991), and (3) the Father’s revelations about His Divine Heart in the 20th-21st century (Ravasio, 1932/1994; St Andrews Productions, 2009; Apostolate of the Divine Heart, 2011).

The processes of both the interpenetration of love and union with God the Father – from the Core of the Father’s Divine Heart, to the heart of the soul of the individual person – have also been previously discussed, albeit elsewhere (Bartolo-Abela, 2011f, g; St Andrews Productions, 2009). In fact, the said processes are described in these works from within the context of both the Holy Trinity and the Divine Family as a whole, in relation to the individual person and all mankind; with the main focus of discussion being both our present times and the eschatological future. Meanwhile, the spiritualities and aims of the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church have also been previously discussed, albeit once again briefly.

In Sacred Scripture there exist a total of 28 references – either direct or indirect – to the Heart of God the Father, with 27 references being in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament (Bovenmars, 1991). Many of the said references are, in fact, present in all three major sources of Scripture, as shall be shown: namely (1) the Septuagint, (2) the Masoretic text (The Tanakh), and (3) the Latin Vulgate. Although a few of these references could be considered doubtful. It should be noted that the 28 biblical references to the Father’s Heart do not all simultaneously refer explicitly to the Father’s love for mankind. In fact many of them, at first glance, appear to be otherwise. However, it should similarly be noted that the underlying Scriptural context for the said references is always the Father’s infinite love for His human creatures and His relationship with them; with particular regard to His thinking and remembering, planning and willing, sorrow, grief and anger; His presence and the transcendence of His Heart.

Therefore, the 28 biblical references to the Heart of God the Father (Bovenmars, 1991) are presented overleaf, to facilitate perusal and understanding. The references are taken from the Douay-Rheims translation of the Latin Vulgate (The Holy Bible, 1899/2009), given that the Vulgate was derived from the Septuagint, the Tanakh, earlier Hebrew texts (including text families), secondary Aramaic sources and the old Latin texts. The Vulgate is also the official canon of Sacred Scripture in the Roman Catholic Church. Meanwhile, because descriptive language differences do exist between the Vulgate, the Septuagint and the Tanakh; and the Septuagint is considered the official canon of Scripture in the Orthodox Church, a side-by-side comparison of the 28 references to the Heart of the Father, from both the Septuagint and the Tanakh, is similarly provided when possible, to illustrate the said differences.  

Biblical References to the Heart of God the Father

Herewith are the 28 references to the Heart of God the Father, in Sacred Scripture, as found in the Douay-Rheims translation of the Latin Vulgate (The Holy Bible, 1899/2009), the Septuagint (Brenton, 2010) and the Masoretic text (Yahwist source; Tanakh, 1917/2012).

Vulgate (Douay-Rheims)

Septuagint

Tanakh

“It repented him that he had made man on the earth. And being touched inwardly with sorrow of heart, He said: ‘I will destroy man, whom I have created . . .” (Gn 6:6-7).“And the Lord smelled a sweet savour and said: ‘I will no more curse the earth for the sake of man…’” (Gn 8:21).“And I will set a morsel of bread and strengthen ye your heart, afterwards you shall pass on: for therefore are you come aside to your servant. And they said: ‘Do as thou hast spoken’ . . . And the Lord said unto Abraham: ‘Why did Sara laugh? saying, “Shall I who am an old woman bear a child indeed?” Is there anything hard to God? According to appointment I will return to thee at this same time, life accompanying, and Sara shall have a son’” (Gn 18:5, 13-14).

“And the Lord said to him: ‘I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, which thou hast made before me. I have sanctified this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there forever, and my eyes and my heart shall be there always’” (3 Kgs 9:3).“And the Lord said to Jehu: ‘Because thou hast diligently executed that which was pleasing in my eyes, and hast done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, thy children shall sit upon the throne of Israel to the fourth generation’” (4 Kgs 10:30).

“What is a man that thou shouldst magnify him? or why dost thou set thy heart upon him?” (Jb 7:17).

“He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath resisted him, and hath had peace?” (Jb 9:4).

“Thou hast quoted me with skin and flesh: thou hast put me together with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and mercy, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. Although thou conceal these things in thy heart, yet I know that thou rememberest all things” (Jb 10:11-13).

“But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Ps 32:11).

“And he chose his servant David, and took him from the flocks of sheep: he brought him from following the ewes great with young. To feed Jacob his servant, and Israel his inheritance. And he fed them in the innocence of his heart: and conducted them by the skillfulness of his hands” (Ps 77:70-72).

“For the day of vengeance is in my heart, the year of my redemption is come” (Is 63:4).

“Return, O ye revolting children, saith the Lord: for I am your husband and I will take you, one of a city and two of a kindred, and will bring you into Sion. And I will give you pastors according to my own heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine” (Jer 3:14-15).

“Because the children of Juda have done evil in my eyes, saith the Lord. They have set their abominations in the house in which my name is called upon, to pollute it. They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Ennom, to burn their sons, and their daughters in the fire, which I commanded not, nor thought on in my heart” (Jer 7:30-31).

“And they have built the high places of Baalim, to burn their children with fire for a holocaust to Baalim: which I did not command, nor speak of, neither did it once come into my mind” (Jer 19:5).

“The wrath of the Lord shall not return till he execute it, and till he accomplish the thought of his heart; in the latter days you shall understand his counsel” (Jer 23:20).

“The Lord will not turn away the wrath of his indignation, till he have executed and performed the thought of his heart; in the latter days you shall understand these things” (Jer 30:24).

“And they have built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Ennom, to consecrate their sons and daughters to Moloch: which I commanded them not, neither entered it into my heart, that they should do this abomination and cause Juda to sin” (Jer 32:35).

“And I shall rejoice over them when I shall do them good: and I will plant them in this land in truth, with my whole heart and with all my soul” (Jer 32:41).

“Was it not the sacrifice that you offered in the cities of Juda, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land which the Lord hath remembered, and hath it not entered into his heart?” (Jer 44:21).

“For he hath not willingly afflicted, nor cast off the children of men” (Lam 3:33).

“Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre: Thus saith the Lord: Because thy heart is lifted up and thou hast said: ‘I am God, and I sit in the chair of God in the heart of the sea:’ whereas thou art a man, and not God and hast set thy heart as if it were the heart of God” (Ez 28:2).

“How shall I deal with thee, O Ephraim, shall I protect thee, O Israel? how shall I make thee as Adama, shall I set thee as Seboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentance is stirred up. I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath: I will not return to destroy Ephraim: because I am God, and not man: the holy one in the midst of thee, and I will not enter into the city” (Ho 11:8-9).

“O Lord, for thy servant’s sake, according to thy own heart, thou hast shown all this magnificence, and wouldst have all the great things to be known” (1 Chr 17:19).

“For I have chosen and have sanctified this place, that my name may be there for ever, and my eyes and my heart may remain there perpetually” (2 Chr 7:16).

“And I shall raise me up a faithful priest, who shall do according to my heart, and my soul, and I will build him a faithful house, and he shall walk all days before my anointed” (1 Kgs 2:35).

“But thy kingdom shall not continue. The Lord hath sought him a man according to his own heart: and him hath the Lord commanded to be prince over his people, because thou hast not observed that which the Lord commanded” (1 Kgs 13:14).

“For thy word’s sake and according to thy own heart thou hast done all these great things, so that thou wouldst make it known to thy servant” (2 Kgs 7:21).

“And when he had removed him, he raised them up David to be king, to whom giving testimony, he said: ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man according to my own heart, who shall do all my wills” (Acts 13:22).

“And the Lord God, having seen that the wicked actions of men were multiplied upon the earth, and that every one in his heart was intently brooding over evil continually, then God laid it to heart that he had made man upon the earth, and he pondered it deeply” (Gn 6:6-7).“The Lord God smelled a smell of sweetness, and the Lord God having considered, said, I will not any more curse the earth, because of the works of men, because the imagination of man is intently bent upon evil things from his youth, I will not therefore any more smite all living flesh as I have done” (Gn 8:21).

“And I will bring bread, and ye shall eat, and after this ye shall depart on your journey, on account of which refreshment ye have turned aside to your servant. And he said, So do, as thou hast said . . . the Lord said to Abraam, Why is it that Sarrha has laughed in herself, saying, Shall I then indeed bear? but I am grown old. Shall anything be impossible with the Lord? At this time I will return to thee seasonably, and Sarrha shall have a son” (Gn 18:5, 13-14).“And the Lord said to him, I have heard the voice of thy prayer, and thy which thou madest before me: I have done for thee according to all thy prayer: I have hallowed this house which thou hast built to put my name there for ever, and mine eyes and my heart shall be there always” (3 Kgs 9:3).“The Lord said to Ju, Because of all thy deeds wherein thou hast acted well in doing that which was right in my eyes, according to all things which thou hast done to the house of Achaab as they were in my heart, thy sons to the fourth generation shall sit upon the throne of Israel” (4 Kgs 10:30).“What is man, that thou hast magnified him? or that thou givest heed to him?” (Jb 7:17).

“For he is wise in mind, and mighty, and great: who has hardened himself against him and endured?” (Jb 9:4).

“And thou didst clothe me with skin and flesh, and frame me with bones and sinews. And thou didst bestow upon me life and mercy, and thy oversight has preserved my spirit. Having these things in thyself, I know that thou canst do all things; for nothing is impossible with thee” (Jb 10:11-13).

“But the counsel of the Lord endures for ever, the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation” (Ps 33:11).

“He chose David also his servant, and took him up from the flocks of sheep. He took him from following the ewes great with young, to be the shepherd of Jacob his servant, and Israel his inheritance. So he tended them in the innocency of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands” (Ps 78:70:72).

“For the day of recompense has come upon them, and the year of redemption is at hand” (Is 63:4).

“Turn, ye children that have revolted, saith the Lord; for I will rule over you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you in to Sion: and I will give you shepherds after my heart, and they shall certainly tend you with knowledge” (Jer 3:14-15).

“The children of Juda have wrought evil before me, saith the Lord; they have set their abominations in the house on which my name is called, to defile it. And they have built the altar of Tapheth, which is in the valley of the son of Ennom, to burn their sons and their daughters with fire; which I did not command them to do, neither did I design it in my heart” (Jer 7:30-31).

“And built high places for Baal, to burn their children in the fire, which things I commanded not, neither did I design them in my heart” (Jer 19:5).

“The Lord’s wrath shall return no more, until he have accomplished it, and until he have established it, according to the purpose of his heart: at the end of the days they shall understand it” (Jer 23:20).

“He has not answered in anger from his heart, though he has brought low the children of a man” (Lam 3:33).

“Thou, son of man, say to the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord; Because thine heart has been exalted, and thou hast said, I am God, I have inhabited the dwelling of God in the heart of the sea; yet thou art man and not God, though thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God” (Ez 28:2).

“How shall I deal with thee, Ephraim? how shall I protect thee, Israel? what shall I do with thee? I will make thee as Adama, and as Seboim; my heart is turned at once, my repentance is powerfully excited. I will not act according to the fury of my wrath, I will not abandon Ephraim to be utterly destroyed: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One within thee: and I will not enter into the city” (Ho 11:8-9).

“And thou hast wrought all this greatness according to thine heart” (1 Chr 17:19).

“Now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that my name should be there for ever: and my eyes and my heart shall be there always” (2 Chr 7:16).

“I will raise up to myself a faithful priest, who shall do all that is in my heart and in my soul; and I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before my Christ for ever” (1 Kgs 2:35).

“Now thy kingdom shall not stand to thee, and the Lord shall seek for himself a man after his own heart; and the Lord shall appoint him to be a ruler over his people, because thou hast not kept all that the Lord commanded thee” (1 Kgs 13:14).

“And thou hast wrought for thy servant’s sake, and according to thy heart thou hast wrought all this greatness, to make it known to thy servant” (2 Kgs 7:21).

 

“And it repented HaShem that he had made man upon the earth, and it grieved Him at His Heart. And HaShem said: ‘I will blot out man whom I have created . . .” (Bereshit-Noach 6:6-7).“And HaShem smelled the sweet savour; and HaShem said in His heart: ‘I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done’” (Bereshit 8:21).

 

“’And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and stay ye your heart; after that ye shall pass on; forasmuch as ye are come to your servant.’ And they said: ‘So do, as thou hast said’. . . And HaShem said unto Abraham: ‘Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying: Shall I of a surety bear a child, who am old? Is any thing too hard for HaShem. At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son’” (Bereshit 18:5, 13-14).“And HaShem said unto him: ‘I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before Me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there for ever; and Mine eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually’” (Neviim-Melachim A 9:3).“And HaShem said unto Jehu: ‘Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in Mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in My heart, thy sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel’” (Neviim-Melachim B 10:30).

“What is man, that Thou shouldest magnify him, and that Thou shouldest set Thy heart upon him?” (Ketuvim-Eyov 7:17).

“He is wise in Heart, and mighty in strength, who hath hardened himself against Him and prospered?” (Ketuvim-Eyov 9:4).

“Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and Thy providence hath preserved my spirit. Yet these things Thou didst hide in Thy heart; I know that this is with Thee” (Ketuvim-Eyov 10:11-13).

“The counsel of HaShem standeth for ever, the thoughts of His Heart to all generations” (Ketuvim-Tehilim 33:11).

“He chose David also His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds. From following the ewes that give suck He brought him, to be shepherd over Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart; and lead them by the skilfulness of his hands” (Ketuvim-Tehilim 77:70-72).

“For the day of vengeance that was in My Heart, and My year of redemption are come” (Neviim-Yisheyah 63:4).

“Return, O backsliding children, saith HaShem; for I am a lord unto you, and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion; and I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Neviim-Yermiyah 3:14-15).

“For the children of Judah have done that which is evil in My sight, saith HaShem; they have set their detestable things in the house whereon My name is called, to defile it. And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded not, neither came it into My mind” (Neviim-Yermiyah 7:30-31).

“And have built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons in the fire of burnt-offerings unto Baal; which I commanded not, nor spoke it, neither came it into My mind” (Neviim-Yermiyah 19:5).

“The anger of HaShem shall not return, until He have executed, and till He have performed the purposes of His heart; in the end of days you shall consider it perfectly” (Neviim-Yermiyah 23:20).

“The fierce anger of HaShem shall not return, until He have executed, and till He have performed the purposes of His heart; in the end of days ye shall consider it” (Neviim-Yermiyah 30:24).

“And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to set apart their sons and daughters unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into My mind, that they should do this abomination; to cause Judah to sin” (Neviim-Yermiyah 32:35).

“Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land in truth, with My whole heart and with My whole soul” (Neviim-Yermiyah 32:41).

“The offering that ye offered in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not HaShem remember them, and came it not into His mind?” (Neviim-Yermiyah 44:21).

“For He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men” (Ketuvim-Megilot-Eichah 3:33).

“Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyre. Thus said the L-rd God: because thy heart is lifted up, and thou hast said: I am a god, I sit in the seat of G-d, in the heart of the seas, yet thou art man and not G-d, though thou didst set thy heart as the heart of G-d” (Neviim-Yechezchial 28:2).

“How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I surrender thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within Me, My compassions are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am G-d and not man, the Holy One in the midst of thee; and I will not come in fury” (Neviim-Treisar-Hoshea 11:8-9).

“O HaShem, for Thy servant’s sake, and according to Thine own heart, hast Thou wrought all this greatness, to make known all these great things” (Ketuvim-Megilot-Divrei Yamim A 17:19).

“For now have I chosen and hallowed this house, that My name may be there for ever; and Mine eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually” (Ketuvim-Megilot-Divrei Yamim B 7:15-16).

“I will raise Me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in My heart and in My mind; and I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before Mine anointed for ever” (Neviim-Shmuel A  2:35).

“But now thy kingdom shall not continue; HaShem hath sought Him a man after His own heart, and HaShem hath appointed him to be prince over His people, because thou hast not kept that which HaShem commanded thee” (Neviim-Shmuel A 13:14).

“For Thy words sake, and according to Thine own heart, hast Thou wrought all this greatness, to make Thy servant know it” (Neviim-Shmuel B 7:20-21).

 

References

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