900.12e Two overlapping Paths to Hester (pps.131-132)

hard cover page 132

But this is only a partial truth, for Hester has embedded within it potentialities as well.

In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment;
But with everlasting kindness will I have compassion on thee,
Saith the Lord, thy Redeemer.
-Isaiah 54:8-9

The realm of freedom involves a severe degree of pain, and a paternalistic Deity may be presumed to be wary of subjecting man to the severe possibilities of pain and evil in a world of lessened Providence. A paternalistic Deity has more patience than man regarding man’s ultimate quest for potential and growth. However, in an environment where man ignores Divine admonition, in effect asserting an immature form of rebellion, the response of God is truly to give man more of the freedom he is asserting. God will give man further levels of freedom, i.e., Hester Panim, commensurate with the magnitude of his rebellion. Man will thus reap the vicissitudes of freedom, along with its worldly pleasures and along with its potentialities.⁵¹⁸

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⁵¹⁸ See also Maimonides, Guide 3:5 1.
Cf. Lamm, The Face of God, sec. 5.

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