THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Eventually, a redemptive grace was bestowed upon the Gentiles, and as Paul articulates, "those who were far off became near" (Eph. 2:13). They were called through faith and blessed with justification in Christ, while the Israelites chose not to believe. The Scriptures further illustrate that any form of impurity can be cleansed quite effortlessly through the waters of purification. It states that if someone comes into contact with "the dead," he becomes impure; however, he can be restored from this brief defilement only by being sprinkled with the water of purification "on the third and seventh day." Death signifies both the decay of the body and a mark of impurity.
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Yet, the act of sprinkling with water, alongside the ashes of a young woman and other elements, symbolizes the holy Sacrament of Baptism. Consequently, one who clings to dead works and impurities leading to decay (we describe the works of deadness as the unholy and corrupt desires of the flesh: "fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil lust" (Col. 3:5)) can find no means of purification other than by washing away these impurities through holy Baptism on the third and seventh day. The third day represents the period of resurrection, while the seventh day symbolizes the ultimate and definitive purpose for which the Only Begotten took on human form.