My Neville GoddardNeville Goddard on Acts 13:22
Executive Summary
In Neville Goddard's teaching, the scripture “I have found in David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will” is not about historical figures. Instead, David is a symbol representing the sum total of humanity, personified. Jesse, his father, is interpreted as 'I AM' or 'Jehovah exists.' Therefore, the verse reveals that God (I AM) finds in collective humanity the perfect fulfillment of His will, which is accomplished through every imaginal act man has ever performed.
Key Concepts
- David as Personified Humanity: David is the symbolic representation of the entirety of humanity after it has undergone all experiences.
- Jesse as 'I AM': The name Jesse, David's father, literally means 'I AM' or 'Jehovah exists.' This identifies God as the father of perfected humanity.
- God's Will as All Experience: Fulfilling God's will includes every imaginal act—good, bad, or indifferent. Humanity's journey through all states, including mistakes, is the process of doing the Father's will.
- The Perfected Outcome: After humanity passes through the 'furnaces of affliction,' God extracts a perfected result, symbolized by David, who can perfectly reflect the divine imprint.
Detailed Explanation
Neville Goddard interprets Acts 13:22 as a profound statement about the relationship between God and humanity. In this view, David is not a king from history but the personification of the sum total of humanity. He is the ultimate symbol of mankind having completed its journey. The father of this symbolic David is Jesse, a name whose meaning is central to the interpretation. Neville explains that 'Jesse' is a form of the verb 'to be,' meaning 'I AM' or 'Jehovah exists.' Thus, the verse describes God, or I AM, finding the fulfillment of His purpose in His creation, humanity.
The phrase 'who will do all my will' is explained as a comprehensive statement about human experience. God's will is not a set of moral commandments but the totality of imaginal acts that humanity has ever conceived and enacted. God is man's own human imagination, and He has allowed man to imagine anything and everything. By experiencing the consequences of these imaginal acts—whether good, bad, or indifferent—humanity has perfectly carried out the will of God. This journey through all states and experiences is what forges the perfected being symbolized by David.
This process is likened to refining gold. God puts humanity through all the 'furnaces of affliction' to extract a pure being that can take His perfect imprint. This refined result is David, the 'man after my own heart.' He is the one who, representing all of humanity, can say, “I delight to do Thy will, O God.” The scripture further states that from David's posterity, God brought forth a savior, Jesus, as promised. The inner discovery of this symbolic David is what ultimately sets a person free.
Important Quotes
“I have found in David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will.” (Acts 13:22) So, Humanity has done the will of God, because God is man’s own wonderful human imagination.
— Where Are You Staying
The word “Jesse” actually means “I AM.” He is the father of David, so who is begetting that
— The Pure In Heart
“I have found David, the son of Jesse” – “Jesse” means “I am” – “a man after my heart who will do all my will.” (Acts 13:22) He’s after my heart, and he will do all my will. That’s Humanity!
— The Most Precious Gift
“I have found in David, the son of Jesse, a man after my heart,” of which posterity God has brought forth a savior, Jesus, as he promised.
— The Pure In Heart
Common Misunderstandings
- A Literal Interpretation: A misunderstanding would be to read this verse as a simple historical account of King David. Neville's interpretation is purely symbolic, where David represents all of humanity and Jesse represents God (I AM).
- Selective Will: It would be a mistake to think that 'doing God's will' refers only to righteous or positive actions. The teaching specifies that God's will encompasses all imaginal acts, including those deemed 'bad' or 'indifferent,' along with their consequences.
Practical Applications
Understanding this interpretation leads to a profound sense of forgiveness. Since every being in the world has simply played their part in fulfilling the Father's will, one can forgive and excuse all. It also provides encouragement to consciously create your desired reality now. Knowing that the ultimate end is God, you can begin to be the person you wish to be without waiting, because the entire journey, including all its detours, is part of the divine plan. The ultimate application is the inner quest to 'find David,' which is said to be the key to true freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Neville Goddard's view, who is David in Acts 13:22?
David is not a historical person but a symbol for the sum total of humanity, personified after it has experienced everything and fulfilled God's will.
What is the meaning of 'Jesse' in this context?
The name Jesse is interpreted to mean 'I AM' or 'Jehovah exists.' This signifies that the father of perfected humanity (David) is God, the consciousness of being.
How does humanity perform God's will according to this teaching?
Humanity performs God's will by engaging in every possible imaginal act. All experiences, whether good, bad, or indifferent, are part of the divine plan that God, as human imagination, set in motion.
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