Jacob Boehme
The Shoemaker who Defined the Heavens
Jacob Boehme (1575 – 1624)
An unschooled shoemaker, Jacob Boehme (born in the village of Alt Seidenberg near Goerlitz in Saxony in 1575 and died in 1624) became one of the worlds deepest and profound mystics with a huge body of work to his credit including The Aurora, The Way to Christ, The Three Principles, The Threefold Life of Man, Signatura Rerum, Mysterium Magnum, Forty Questions, The Clavis and The Incarnation of Christ, Dialogue Between an Enlightened and an Unenlightened Soul.
Born in the village of Alt Seidenberg near Goerlitz in Saxony in 1575 to simple peasants, Jacob spent a great deal of his time alone taking care of cattle. He developed a profound understanding of the scriptures at a young age, but focused his time on his apprenticeship as a shoemaker.
Profound Experience in the Youth of Jacob Boehme
While working the shoe store, Jacob tended to a stranger’s shoes who had entered the shop. When he left, he paid well over the asking price for the service and as he was walking away shouted out, “Jacob, come hither.” Surprised that this stranger knew his name, Jacob went outside as the man looked upon him quite deeply and said, “Jacob, thou art yet but little, but the time will come when thou shalt be great and become another man, and the world shall marvel at thee. Therefore be pious, fear God and reverence His Word; especially read diligently the Holy Scriptures, where thou wilt find comfort and instruction, for thou must endure much misery and poverty, and suffer persecution. But be courageous and persevere, for God loves and is gracious unto thee.” Three Famous Mystics: Martin, Boehme, Swedenborg, By W.P. Swainson
The Aurora, Considered Jacob Boehme’s Most Pivotal Work
The Aurora: That Is, the Day-Spring is considered by many scholars to be Jacob Boehme’s most important work. Fascinating in its structure, the table of contents reads like a divine guide to heaven, hell and the angels. Also contained within The Aurora is a great deal of information on sin and to which end each might bring the individual soul.
Jacob Boehme’s Intended Banishment
Because of the popularity of The Aurora in particular, a certain nobleman had several copies made which unintentionally fell into the wrong hands. Jacob Boehme was ordered by the city council to leave town. In a moment of remorse, they rescinded the order the next day but confiscated all copies of The Aurora instructing him to write no more.
Because of this incident, however, the city council’s actions had a totally different effect in that they brought more attention to his writings. He did not write anything more for seven years, but then resumed his work with similar fervor.
Later in his life, persecutions were renewed, but this time Jacob fought back with a written defense. Asking him to leave Goerlitz, the city council feared he might be burned as a heretic if he did not. He left under cover of disguise to Dresden.
Jacob Boehme’s Death and Last Words
Predicting the date of his own death, Jacob Boehme had his friends take him back to Goerlitz and had his son, Tobias, called to his bedside on November 21st 1624. Asking his son if he “heard the beautiful music,” he requested that he “open the door that it might be heard more plainly.” After instructing his wife about her impending death, he quietly stated, “Now I go hence into Paradise.” Three Famous Mystics: Martin, Boehme, Swedenborg, By W.P. Swainson
Other mystics of note would be Padre Pio, John Wesley and the Zen Masters of the Soto Zen Tradition.
Sources: Three Famous Mystics: Martin, Boehme, Swedenborg -By W.P. Swainson, The Aurora: That Is, the Day-Spring - By Jacob Boehme, Jacob Boehme: The Way to Christ, By Jacob Boehme
Jacob Boehme
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From the Aurora
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