We are long overdue for another quotation from M.Luther’s Tabletalk, the collection of popular and pithy statements made by the great Reformer as he gathered with family and friends about his table. The last time we referenced this work, we finished quoting from the first section on “God’s Word” (see my Dec.7, 2011 post). The next main section is titled “Of God’s Works”, covering creation, providence, and salvation. Below are the opening articles where Luther comments in general on the greatness God’s works and on our feeble understanding of them. Can’t you just hear Luther saying these things in his deep, German brogue? I love the simplicity and clarity with which this godly man spoke and wrote. This too is food for the soul.
LXIII.
All the works of God are unsearchable and unspeakable, no human sense can find them out; faith only takes hold of them without human power or aid. No mortal creature can comprehend God in his majesty, and therefore did he come before us in the simplest manner, and was made man, ay, sin, death, and weakness.
In all things, in the least creatures, and their members, God’s almighty power and wonderful works clearly shine. For what man, how powerful, wise, and holy soever, can make out of one fig, a fig-tree, or another fig? or, out of one cherry-stone, a cherry, or a cherry-tree? or what man can know how God creates and preserves all things, and makes them grow.
Neither can we conceive how the eye sees, or how intelligible words are spoken plainly, when only the tongue moves and stirs in the mouth; all which are natural things, daily seen and acted. How then should we be able to comprehend or understand the secret counsels of God’s majesty, or search them out with our human sense, reason, or understanding. Should we then admire our own wisdom? I, for my part, admit myself a fool, and yield myself captive.
LXIV.
In the beginning, God made Adam out of a piece of clay, and Eve out of Adam’s rib: he blessed them and said: “Be fruitful and increase”—words that will stand and remain powerful to the world’s end. Though many people die daily, yet others are ever being born, as David says in his Psalm: “Thou sufferest men to die and go away like a shadow, and sayest, Come again ye children of men.” These and other things which he daily creates, the ungodly blind world see not, nor acknowledge for God’s wonders, but think all is done by chance or haphazard, whereas, the godly, wheresoever they cast their eyes, beholding heaven and earth, the air and water, see and acknowledge all for God’s wonders; and, full of astonishment and delight, laud the Creator, knowing that God is well pleased therewith.
