Four In God’s Garden

Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. - Hebrews 4:16 HCSB

An ancient Talmudic parable[1] tells of three sages who sought Rabbi Akiva’s help in their determination to enter the third heaven[2] and approach the Garden of God. Rabbi Akiva warned them of the terrible beauties of that place and how those wonders would prey upon their mortal minds. “When you approach the marble walls surrounding the Holy One, blessed be He, they may look like a wall of water about to engulf you. Do not fear. We may only approach the Holy One in faith and truth.” So they prayed, fasted and meditated.

Finally, they proceeded. As the first man approached those glowing walls, they did in fact look like looming walls of water about to engulf him. He panicked and just as he was about to cry out, he died. However, in spite of his small faith, Hashem decided to reward his desire to know the Lord and took his spirit on into heaven.

The second man, upon seeing those same terrible walls, also panicked but his fear was so great and his faith so small that he lost his mind.

The third man saw the same walls, but his mind was incapable of accepting that something of such beauty, grandeur and majesty could exist. His will refused to submit to a Person so great as to be able to create such wonders. His heart hardened and he became an apostate.

Only Rabbi Akiva, who rested his soul upon the mercy of the Almighty One and approached with truth on his lips and faith in his heart was able to approach the throne room and leave again safely.

This parable warns us of three dangers in seeking d’vekut, which is a deep passionate and intimate relationship with God. Our lack of faith can kill any ability we may have to be useful. We will yet enter heaven, but “so as by fire.”[3] Our lack of faith can allow us to see God’s work but fail to acknowledge it for what it is. If that happens, we become fools and our confusion may lead us astray[4] either rendering us useless or apostate. The third danger is that we may, like Pharaoh, refuse to submit to Bashamayim’s[5] sovereignty and in our apostasy take the broad road to perdition.[6]

Only those who take God at face value, those who both fear[7] and trust Him[8] may take the bold approach. Those who truly love Him and prove it through obedience[9] will find a listening ear and a compassionate judge. Those who waver will get nothing at all.[10] May we, like little children, remain in Him so that when He appears we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.[11]



[1] Chagigah 14B
[2] 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
[3] 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
[4] Romans 1:21-24
[5] God of Heaven and Earth (Deuteronomy 4:39)
[6] Matthew 7:13-14
[7] Deuteronomy 4:10; 6:2, 13; Acts 9:31
[8] Numbers 14:11; Psalm 4:5
[9] John 14:15; 15:10; 1 John 2:3-6
[10] James 1:6-7
[11] 1 John 23:28-29