The waters that came down from above stood in one place, and swelling up like a mountain, were seen afar off, from the city that is called Adom, to the place of Sarthan: but those that were beneath, ran down into the sea of the wilderness, (which now is called the Dead Sea) until they wholly failed.
וַיַּעַמְד֡וּ הַמַּיִם֩ הַיֹּרְדִ֨ים מִלְמַ֜עְלָה קָ֣מוּ נֵד־אֶחָ֗ד הַרְחֵ֨ק מְאֹ֜ד באדם מֵֽאָדָ֤ם הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ מִצַּ֣ד צָֽרְתָ֔ן וְהַיֹּרְדִ֗ים עַ֣ל יָ֧ם הָעֲרָבָ֛ה יָם־הַמֶּ֖לַח תַּ֣מּוּ נִכְרָ֑תוּ וְהָעָ֥ם עָבְר֖וּ נֶ֥גֶד יְרִיחֽוֹ׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
In order for the Jews to comprehend that God's omnipotence is not limited to a specific location, He manifested His miracles throughout various settings, including the wilderness, among the foreign nations, in the seas, and in the rivers, during the eras of Moses and Jesus. In every instance, miraculous signs were present to soften their hardened hearts and dull minds, enabling them to become receptive to the knowledge of God.
It is essential for individuals to engage with those of virtuous character. Young men especially benefit from aligning themselves with esteemed and wise figures, as "he who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:20). This practice serves both educational and moral purposes, as it is evident that young individuals tend to emulate those with whom they frequently associate. It is a widely held belief that they reflect the lives of their chosen companions.
Consider Joshua as a remarkable example; his close relationship with Moses not only imparted knowledge of the law but also blessed and consecrated him. When the tabernacle, under Moses, was bathed in Divine radiance and God's splendor was revealed, Joshua was uniquely present, serving as Moses' assistant (see Ex. 24:13; 33:11; Num. 11:28; Deut. 1:38). During the times Moses communed with God, Joshua remained steadfastly by his side, shrouded in a holy cloud (see Ex. 24:13; 33:11; Num. 11:11; Deut. 1:38).
While the elders and populace remained at a distance, Moses and his faithful assistant ascended the sacred mountain to receive the law. The people stayed in the camp, while Jesus positioned himself outside, within the Tabernacle of the Covenant. When the cloud descended and spoke to Moses, Joshua was there as his loyal aide, remaining in the tabernacle while the elders trembled at the divine wonders from afar. He constantly accompanied Moses through all extraordinary miracles and divine decrees, thereby inheriting Moses' authority as his constant companion (see Deut. 1:38; 3:28). Through his faith, he halted the rivers (see Isa. Nav. 3:5-17), commanded the sun to stand still (see Jas. Nav. 10:12), and the sun obeyed, delaying the onset of night to allow him to revel in his triumphs.
Moreover, he alone was entrusted with the task that was denied to Moses: leading the people into the Promised Land. He was a great figure, illustrious for both his acts of faith and military achievements. While Moses' deeds were marked by grandeur, Joshua's accomplishments proved exceedingly fruitful. Both, relying on God’s grace, achieved feats beyond human limitation—one commanding the sea, while the other commanded the heavens.
The term "thickening," as translated by Simmachus, refers to the covering of skin or fur. This is akin to water that, held back in its effort, expands and rises, being held in check more powerfully than any unyielding barrier by the boundary established by the Creator.
These actions belong to Jesus, the one who carried the name of the Lord: he was the sovereign over the Jordan, which ceased to flow, as he stood with the waters as though he were an ark delivered by God. An unseen force caused the waters to part: some turned to ice and retreated, while others rushed towards the sea, rendering the riverbed parched; where the waters had been tumultuous, they stood still, rising up and creating towering waves that shook the earth. The mighty waters loomed above, gazing down upon the feet of the people who walked on the dry riverbed, leaving imprints of dusty soles in the hardened clay.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS