THEOSISJerome of Stridon
Let us briefly recapitulate the events that transpired in the forty-second encampment, which is also the final one. During this time, the people, by divine command, are blessed through the mouth of the prophet Balaam, who had been tempted by Balak, son of Zippor. Thus, what was intended as a curse becomes a blessing. The people hear God proclaiming through a foreign seer, “A star shall shine from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel; It shall crush the foreheads of Moab and shatter all the sons of Sheth, and Edom shall become a possession” (Num. 22:17, 18).
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The people engage in immorality with the daughters of Midian, prompting Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, to act zealously for the Lord by driving a spear through both Zimri and the Midianite woman, for which he is rewarded with a share of the peace offering, serving as a lasting testament. A new census is taken of the people (Num. 26), marking the new generation of God's chosen after the destruction of the unfaithful. The daughters of Zelophehad make their plea, and by the decree of the Lord, they receive an inheritance among their relatives (Num. 36:6), thereby ensuring that the female lineage is included in God's promises.
Jesus will journey up the mountain following Moses to learn the spiritual obligations He must fulfill within the church. He will understand what is to be done daily, and what is required during the Sabbath, on the first day of the month, during Passover, Pentecost, and on the festival of booths, as well as during the fast of the tenth day in the seventh month. It is noted that the duties of wives and daughters without consent from their fathers and husbands are invalid; the Israelites wage war against the Midianites, Balaam the seer meets his demise, and the spoils of battle are distributed, with a portion dedicated at God's tabernacle. Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh become the first to claim land in the wilderness east of the Jordan since they possess a vast number of livestock and have not yet reached the stage of residing in the temple. The people are commanded to destroy all idols in the promised land without sparing any of the previous inhabitants. The long-desired land is detailed, and half of the inheritance for the two tribes is apportioned. The leaders designated to enter the promised land are listed (Num. 34); the Levites are granted forty-two cities, each with surrounding pastures measuring a thousand cubits in diameter—equal in number to the camps. Additionally, six cities of refuge are assigned to them—three on one side of the Jordan and three on the other, making a total of forty-eight cities (Num. 35). It is established which individuals may seek refuge, which are to be executed, and which are to be safeguarded until the demise of the high priest.
Next comes Deuteronomy, the second law, acting as a precursor to the Gospel. From it, we glean that Moses spoke to the people situated between Paran and Tophel, Laban and Hazeroth, and at the places of gold. He spurned the unfortunate tribe of Judah, located an eleven-day journey from Horeb through Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea. Finally, a song is presented (Deut. 32), vividly rejecting the synagogue while uniting the church with the Lord: "But Jeshurun became fat and kicked; you grew fat, thick, and sleek. Then he forsook God, who made him, and scorned the Rock of his salvation” (Deuteronomy 32:15). He further laments, “They made Him jealous with strange gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger" (Deuteronomy 32:20, 21). The Israelites receive blessings, while Judah is again omitted. Moses ascends Mount Nebo, to the peak of Pisgah, facing Jericho, where the Lord unveils the entire expanse of Gilead as far as Dan, Naphtali, Ephraim, and Manasseh, along with all of Judah up to the Mediterranean Sea, and the vista of Jericho, the city of palm trees, down to Zoar (Deut. 34).
Who can fathom such profound mysteries? He who stands at the threshold of the law and this earthly existence recognizes the perpetual battle ahead, where ultimate victory will be granted. If they remain on level ground, lamenting in Abel, the city signifying tears, over past transgressions and those very thorns that stifle the seed of God's word (Luke 8), then, as the psalmist noted, "I have become like a broken vessel” (Psalm 31:4). Having prepared oneself, after the manna ceases, let them cross the Jordan under Jesus' guidance (Num. 3) and, equipped with the sword of the Gospel, first partake of the bread from heaven. Then, the leader of the host of the Lord's army shall reveal Himself so they may partake of the true Passover, not within Egypt but in the promised land. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! His judgments are unsearchable, and His ways beyond tracing out. For the paths of the Lord are straight, and the righteous will walk therein, but the wicked will stumble (Rom. 11, Hos. 14).