THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The comprehensive account of the territories of Judah and the tribes serves as a foreshadowing of the future Church in heaven. By exploring the Book of Joshua or the concluding sections of the Book of Ezekiel, we can discern that the historical allocation of the land has spiritual parallels in the heavenly realm. What might the seven and eight steps in the temple's description signify (Ezekiel 40:20-37)? Furthermore, in the Psalms, after receiving instruction on the mystical alphabet in Psalm 118, we find that after fifteen steps we reach the point where we can proclaim, "Bless the Lord now, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our God’s house at night" (Psalm 133:1).
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What led two and a half tribes to settle on the opposite side of the Jordan, abundant in pastureland, while the remaining nine and a half tribes either displaced the original inhabitants or coexisted with them? Why did the tribe of Levi not receive a land inheritance, but instead the Lord Himself did (Num. 18:20)? Moreover, why is it that among the priests and Levites, only the high priest is permitted to enter the holy of holies, where the cherubim and the mercy seat reside (Lev. 16:2; Heb. 9:1-7)? Why do the other priests wear linen garments (Ex. 28ff.), while omitting gold, amethyst, scarlet, purple, and linen? The lower-ranking priests and Levites are tasked with caring for the oxen and carts, whereas those of higher rank are entrusted with carrying the ark of the covenant of God upon their shoulders. If one does not acknowledge the entire structure of the tabernacle, the temple, and the Church—if we were to use a military analogy and unify everything under one banner—then what purpose would bishops, priests, and deacons serve? Why endure, O women? Why should widows face hardship? Why should married women practice abstinence? If this order holds no significance, let us all indulge in sin, repenting one day to become like the apostles.