The houses of God - Bible & Emily Dickinson

Some additional interesting observations about the house and houses of God -  

John 

According to John, Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions" The implication may have been that there is ample room for all the "good" people within God's house. https://biblehub.com/john/14-2.htm

Emily Dickinson 

Emily Dickinson alludes to these mansions in this poem. 

"Houses"—so the Wise Men tell me—
"Mansions"! Mansions must be warm!
Mansions cannot let the tears in,
Mansions must exclude the storm!

"Many Mansions," by "his Father,"
I don't know him; snugly built!
Could the Children find the way there—
Some, would even trudge tonight!

God's house has many mansions say the wise men. They make many promises. Like, these mansions, which will provide ultimate rest, should be warm, keep sadness and tears out, and save the dweller from any storms or challenging times. However, Emily is not all that hopeful about the physicality of these houses or mansions - she claims that she doesn't know this God (and perhaps doesn't believe in Him), and that no one knows where his house is or else they would all be heading there without delay. 

This poem reminds me of Guru Nanak's question about houses in Japji (So dar Keha): Which is that door ... which is that house ... where you sit and take care of everyone? 


Hebrews 3:4 

"... the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. And every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."






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