THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Eleazar the priest addressed the soldiers preparing for battle, stating, “This is the command set forth by the law that the Lord instructed Moses: Gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead must be passed through fire for purification. Moreover, it must also be purified with water; anything that cannot endure fire should be purified with water. Your garments are to be washed on the seventh day so that you may be cleansed, and only then can you enter the camp” (Num. 31:21-24). Notice that Moses, who first delivered this message, designated the timing of purification for the victors without explaining the methodology, as the law anticipates the time of cleansing through Christ.
Read more (350 words)
The manner of purification was subsequently declared by Eleazar, the priest after Moses: in Christ's aftermath, the appointed time is fulfilled, and the way of purification is revealed, presenting the mystery of the law in its true essence.
Eleazar instructed that items resistant to the fire be purified in flames, while those that are naturally fragile, such as garments or items made of leather and wood, should be cleansed with water. The vessels of gold and silver metaphorically refer to us, whom Christ has purified through both fire and water, as we have received baptism “with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matt. 3:11). Hence, the purification of objects taken from the spoils of war signifies the cleansing of us, who once belonged to the forces of darkness but have been redeemed by Christ, who entered the strongman’s domain, seized his possessions, and bound him (Matt. 12:29).
Furthermore, Eleazar mandated that the victors could only enter the camp after their garments had been washed on the seventh day, symbolizing ultimate purity. Similarly, the complete eradication of all impurities will occur in the end times, when as previously mentioned, sin will be fully abolished and humanity restored to its original splendor: “Then shall it be,” it is declared, “...and the way therein shall be called the holy way: the unclean shall not walk therein...And they that are redeemed by the Lord shall return” (Isaiah 35:8-10). I believe this explanation aligns with the intended purpose. Should anyone desire to interpret this differently, we assert that it is determined that each vessel belonging to the victors, whether gold, silver, brass, or similar materials, must pass through the fire, as the Apostle Paul writes, “And the fire shall test each man's work, what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:13). Furthermore, each vessel is also required to pass through water, for the Psalmist affirms that the souls of the saints are tested in this manner. David proclaimed, “Thou hast tested us, O God; Thou hast refined us like silver... We went through fire and through water, but You brought us out into abundance” (Psalm 65:10-12).