THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
And Eleazar the priest addressed the soldiers preparing for battle, stating, “This is the command of the law that the Lord instructed Moses: Gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead, and anything that can pass through fire must be purified by fire. Moreover, items that cannot endure fire should be cleansed with water. Your garments must be washed on the seventh day, after which you may enter the camp” (Num. 31:21-24). It is important to note that Moses, who initially spoke, designated the time of cleansing for the victors but did not specify the method of cleansing. The law prophetically anticipates Christ's time of cleansing, while Eleazar, the priest following Moses, reveals the method.
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Jesus, after Moses, articulates these institutions and, since the appointed time has now arrived, explains the means of purification, unveiling the true intent of the law.
Eleazar instructed that vessels capable of enduring fire should be subjected to it; however, those that were inherently weak and could easily be destroyed, such as garments and items made of leather or wood, were to be washed in water. The vessels of gold, silver, and similar materials represent us, who, through Christ, have been purified by both fire and water, having been baptized “with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Matt. 3:11). Thus, the act of passing through fire and water with what was seized from the captives signifies our purification, as we were once held captive by the enemy until Christ valiantly entered the domain of the strong man, liberated His treasures, and subdued him (Matt. 12:29).
Additionally, Eleazar commanded that those who overcame should only enter the camp after cleansing their garments on the seventh day. Likewise, complete purification and the removal of all impurities will ultimately be realized at the end of the age, when sin is entirely abolished and humanity is restored to its original beauty: “Then shall it be...and the way shall be called the holy way: the unclean shall not walk therein...And they that are delivered by the Lord shall return” (Isaiah 35:8-10). This interpretation, I believe, is aligned with the intended purpose. Yet, if anyone wishes to see this matter differently, let it be understood that it is ordained that every vessel of the victors—whether made of gold, silver, brass, or any similar material—will undergo testing by fire, for, as the blessed Paul states, “the fire shall test every man's work, what it is” (1 Corinthians 3:13). Furthermore, it is also instructed that these vessels should pass through water, as confirmed by the Psalmist, who teaches us that the spirits of the saints face trials in a like manner. David proclaimed, “Thou hast tested us, O God; Thou hast refined us as silver is refined...We went through fire and water, but You brought us out into abundance” (Psalm 65:10-12).