Lecture 10

^3:28^ Jod. He shall sit solitary and hold his peace, because he has raised himself above himself. (Alternatively: he has taken it up upon himself.)

^3:29^ Jod. He shall put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.

^3:30^ Jod. He shall give his cheek to him that strikes him: he shall be filled with reproaches.

54. Here he puts the condition of the one who waits.

And first, as regards the depth of his contemplation: solitary, so as not to be disturbed; he shall hold his peace, away from the tumult of thoughts and desires; because, by this, he has raised himself above himself, to contemplate divine things. I will lead her into the wilderness: and I will speak to her heart (Hos 2:14). Or in this he shows the abasement of the one who waits, because he remains in expectation: he shall sit solitary and hold his peace, because humiliated, and he shall raise himself, in pride.

Second, as regards the humility of his speech: he shall put his mouth in the dust, by speaking humbly. Your speech shall be heard out of the ground (Isa 29:4).

Third, as regards his endurance of tribulation: he shall give his cheek to him that strikes him, or at least be ready to give it*. If one strike you on your right cheek, turn to him also the other* (Matt 5:39). He shall be filled, he will delight in it, as it were, hoping for this favor. Not only so: but we glory also in tribulations (Rom 5:3). I have given my body to the strikers, and my cheeks to them that plucked them (Isa 50:6).