THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The detailed portrayal of the territories of Judah and the tribes serves as a representation of the future Church in glory. If we examine the Book of Joshua or the concluding chapters of the Book of Ezekiel, we will observe that the historical allocation of land correlates with the spiritual realities in heaven. What does the symbolism of the seven and eight steps signify in the description of the temple (Ezekiel 40:20-37)? Additionally, what does it mean that in the Psalms, after being instructed in the mystical alphabet in Psalm 118, we find ourselves able to proclaim, "Bless the Lord now, all the servants of the Lord, standing in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God during the night" (Psalm 133:1) after ascending fifteen steps?
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Why did two and a half tribes choose to settle on the opposite side of the Jordan, in regions abundant with livestock, while the remaining nine and a half tribes either displaced the indigenous people from their lands or coexisted with them? Why was the tribe of Levi not granted a portion of land as an inheritance, but rather the Lord himself (Num. 18:20)? Moreover, how is it that only the high priest among the priests and Levites is allowed to enter the holy of holies, the place where the cherubim and the mercy seat dwell (Lev. 16:2; Heb. 9:1-7)? Why must the other priests wear linen garments (Ex. 28ff.) instead of gold, amethyst, scarlet, purple, and linen? The lower-ranking priests and Levites were responsible for the oxen and carts, whereas those of a higher rank bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord on their shoulders. If one disregards the entire structure of the tabernacle, the temple, and the church, and to put it in military terms, aligns everything under one banner, there would be no need for bishops, priests, or deacons. Why should women strive for perseverance? Why should widows endure hardship? Why should married women adopt a lifestyle of abstinence? If this order holds no significance, then let us all sin, repent on some future day, and aim to be like the apostles.