We have indicated frequently that our mystic Sages refer to “cities” as values, principles and beliefs by which we conduct ourselves in life. In this particular verse the Prophet may refer to a general principle, or to a particular one. In a general context, he speaks about the outcome of abandoning a strong belief or principle (as an essential part of our consciousness), and let ego's fantasies and illusions to take over and devour the goodness and the expressions of goodness inherent to such principle or belief.
“For the fortified city is solitary, a habitation abandoned and forsaken, like the wilderness; there the calf feeds, and there he lies down, and has consumed the branches thereof.” (Isaiah 27:10)
The Prophet usually refers to the “fortified city” as Jerusalem, which represents our connection and bond with God, that we have abandoned and forsaken. We have turned it into a wilderness, an empty place where ego's control and negative trends do as they please, and destroy the goodness in ourselves.
“The withering of its branch is broken of; women are coming to set it on fire. For it is not a people of understanding, therefore its Maker does not have compassion upon it, and its Former does not favor it.” (27:11)
Isaiah refers to ego's fantasies and illusions, as well as negative trends, also as withering branches. For there is no true life in them, only illusions far from Love's ways and attributes. Here the Prophet makes his first reference to the Feminine Principle in Creation as the means to transform and redirect consciousness toward goodness for the purpose of goodness. Women represent the human expression of Love's ways and attributes, and fire as the transforming power of Love. There is no understanding in ego's agenda, nor in negative trends. We are already aware that God created them in order for us to have free will, and to choose the goodness of Love's ways over ego's fantasies and illusions. Hence God does not condone or favor the latter.
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord beats off [His fruit] from the branch of the river [Euphrates] unto the stream of Egypt, and ye are gathered one by one, O sons of Israel.” (27:12)
God separates us from the rivers and streams of the egocentric mentality symbolized by Pharaoh and Egypt, which also represent the negative tendencies of ego's fantasies and illusions, derived from false beliefs or feelings of lack. God will beat us off one by one from envy, lust, pride, wrath, indolence, indifference and cruelty. He will bring us back to our Essence and true identity as the sons of Israel, His fruit destined to be and manifest the goodness from which all Creation comes forth.
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great horn shall be blown; and they shall come that were lost in the land of Assyria, and they that were dispersed in the land of Egypt; and they shall worship the Lord at the holy mountain in Jerusalem.” (27:13)
Let's remind ourselves that Assyria represents the foreign nations where Ephraim and nine more Tribes of Israel assimilated into. All the Jews who “disappeared” or were “lost” through assimilation among other nations, -- or “dispersed” into the negative trends in consciousness (Egypt) or false beliefs -- will be gathered one by one.
A great calling from our Creator will be heard in all corners of the world, a calling to our hearts. Those who hear it will be aroused to return to our Essence and true identity as the goodness we yearn for to live, enjoy and delight ourselves. Again, let's be aware that the gathering place is our permanent bond and connection with God, at the holy mountain that is in Jerusalem.
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