THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The offering was performed daily, symbolizing the ongoing and eternal sacrifice of Christ which is applicable every day, as well as the offerings of those justified through faith. There will always be worshippers and offerings, as Christ is sacramentally presented through us and for us in the holy sanctuaries. He presented Himself to the Father, not for His benefit, according to the unwavering teaching, but for us who were burdened by sin. In His image, we also become holy sacrifices, turning away from worldly matters since sin has been vanquished in us, and we live a life dedicated to holiness and righteousness for God. This reflects what the offerings of the leaders are meant to convey.
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You would also find it intriguing to observe the sequence in which the tribal leaders approached; they presented their gifts in the order appointed for each day according to the divine plan, rather than by birthright or age, maintaining a seemingly mysterious sequence.
Palladius replied, “What you mention is hard to grasp; could you clarify it further?” Cyril responded, “Shall we recount the lineage of Jacob in succession? Then it would be clearer why the leaders came out of order.” Palladius agreed. Cyril continued, detailing that Reuben, the firstborn, was followed by Simeon, Levi, and Judah from Leah, and then came Dan and Naphtali from Bilhah, along with Gad and Asher from Zilpah, with Leah also giving birth to Issachar and Zebulun, and Rachel bearing Joseph and Benjamin. Remember that Joseph’s inheritance was divided among his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.
Palladius noted he understood the sequence of names well, but inquired about their significance. Cyril explained that the leaders who presented gifts did not follow their age; Judah was first even though he was the fourth by birth order, then Issachar and Zebulun followed. The order also included Reuben as the firstborn, then Simeon and the son of the maidservant Dan. Following this were Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin in the third grouping, and the fourth grouping of the maidservants’ children, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali, who though older, were positioned after those of higher status.
Palladius expressed the importance of understanding these details and urged for clarity. Cyril indicated that this situation serves as a concealed indication that what is established through Christ holds greater significance with God than what is provided under the law; indeed, “the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16). This suggests that the oldest, signifying Israel, takes a back seat to the Gentiles, and those with servile spirits, the children of the bondwoman, will ultimately bestow greater glory upon the freeborn, who are our mother, being justified in Christ and called to freedom through the Spirit (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:25-26). Notice the precision of the argument: First, the tribe of Judah, from which Christ came in the flesh, brings the offering; immediately after are Issachar and Zebulun, both free, followed by Reuben, Simeon, and the servant son Gad—representing Israel through them. Let us now explore each tribe, gathering Jacob's prophecies concerning them.