Philo, in his writings, believed that understanding “right division” – what we might call proper order – is key to understanding… well, everything. He argued that right division and improper division are just two sides of the same coin as order and the lack of order. And crucially, it was through order that the whole universe came to be.
Think about it. According to Philo, the Creator, faced with primordial, untamed chaos, used division and separation to bring structure. He placed the heavier elements – earth and water – at the center, grounding everything. Then, the lighter elements – air and fire – were lifted higher. And finally, the purest element, heaven, was spread invisibly throughout the universe, encompassing all.
It's all about placing things where they belong, according to their nature. Even the way plants and animals are born, from seeds that are either moist or dry, reflects this “inevitable dissection and separation of distinction.” It’s a constant process of sorting and ordering.
So, what does this cosmic ordering have to do with us? Philo believed that we should imitate this divine order in our own lives, especially when it comes to gratitude. We are “invited to requite in some degree and manner the kindnesses of those who have showered greater benefits liberally on us."
And who is the ultimate source of all benefits? God, of course. Paying thanks to God, says Philo, is intrinsically right. It's not something we should put off or do half-heartedly. We shouldn't dishonor God "by any negligence on our part."
Philo challenges us: is it right for us to keep the best for ourselves, and offer God only the leftovers? “It is not fitting that man should reserve for himself the first and most excellent things which are created, and should offer what is only second best to the all-wise God and Creator; for that division would be faulty and blameworthy, showing a most preposterous and unnatural arrangement.”
Think about that. What are the "first fruits" in your life? Your time? Your talents? Your resources? Are you offering them to the things that truly matter, to the source of all goodness? Or are you holding back, keeping the best for yourself, and giving something less in return?
Philo’s words remind us that living a life of order, of right division, is not just about arranging the physical world around us. It’s about ordering our priorities, our gratitude, and our very souls, to reflect the divine order that created and sustains us all. What do you think?