THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The comprehensive portrayal of Judah's territories and the tribes serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate Church in heaven. If we examine the Book of Joshua or the concluding chapters of Ezekiel, we will discover that the historical allocation of the land reflects spiritual realities in the heavenly realms. What is the meaning behind the seven and eight steps described in the temple (Ezekiel 40:20-37)? Additionally, what does it signify that in the Psalms, following the teaching of the mystical alphabet in Psalm 118, after fifteen steps, we reach a point where we are able to proclaim, "Bless the Lord now, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord at night" (Psalm 133:1)?
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Why did two and a half tribes choose to reside on the opposite side of the Jordan, in areas conducive to raising livestock, while the remaining nine and a half tribes either displaced the original inhabitants or coexisted with them? Why was the tribe of Levi not allotted a portion of land, but rather the Lord Himself was their inheritance (Num. 18:20)? Furthermore, why does only the high priest among the priests and Levites enter the holy of holies, where the cherubim and the mercy seat are located (Lev. 16:2; Heb. 9:1-7)? Why do the other priests don linen garments (Ex. 28ff.), while abstaining from gold, amethyst, scarlet, purple, and fine linen? The priests and Levites of lower rank manage the oxen and carts, whereas those of higher status bear the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders. If we disregard the entire order of the tabernacle, temple, and Church, and if everything is grouped under one military standard, then the roles of bishops, priests, and deacons lose their significance. Why should women endure hardships? Why should widows experience suffering? Why should married women observe abstinence? If this order has no relevance, then we might as well sin freely, repent at a later time, and become like the apostles.