When Israel emerged from Egypt, and the lineage of Jacob departed from a foreign land, Judah became His sacred space, and Israel His realm (Psalm 112:1-2). The sea beheld it and fled, while the Jordan turned back (Psalm 112:3). Let us not interpret these historical events merely as past instances, but rather see them as prophetic anticipations of what lies ahead. While these miracles unfolded for that nation, they contained present truths while hinting at the future. Some details may differ from what we have learned and read, ensuring they do not signify mere repetitions of past events, but rather foreshadows of what is to come. For instance, we do not read that the Jordan receded; instead, it was described as being stopped at the edge nearest to its source. Furthermore, it is noted that there was no mention of mountains leaping; this embellishment was added. After stating, “The sea saw it and fled; the Jordan turned back,” it continues with, “The mountains leapt like rams, and the hills like young sheep” (Psalm 113:4), then inquires, “What is the matter with you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, why did you turn back?” (Psalm 112:5). The psalm also questions why the mountains leap like rams and the hills like young sheep (Psalm 112:6).
Let us now discern the lesson for us; for both these events were archetypes applicable to our lives, and the words beckon us to self-reflect. If we diligently embrace the grace bestowed upon us, we are indeed Israel, the offspring of Abraham, as the apostle declares, “Therefore you are Abraham's seed.” No Christian ought to view themselves as separate from the identity of Israel. As believers, we are united by the cornerstone alongside the faithful Jews, who are also our chief apostles. Thus, our Lord proclaims, “And I have other sheep which are not of this fold; and these I must bring in, that there may be one flock, and one Shepherd” (John 10:16). Hence, the Christian community functions as true Israel and the genuine house of Jacob, for the terms are synonymous. However, that crowd of Jews, justly criticized for their treason, forfeited their heritage for worldly pleasures, identifying instead with Esau. You are aware it was said with a deeper significance, “The elder shall serve the younger.”
Egypt, symbolizing affliction or oppression, often represents the worldly life from which we must spiritually withdraw, lest we share in the yoke with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). Each person becomes a worthy citizen of the celestial Jerusalem after renouncing the things of this world, just as those people could not enter the promised land before leaving Egypt. Their departure was only accomplished through divine intervention; similarly, no one can truly depart from worldly attachments in their heart without the assistance of God's mercy. What was once a symbol is fulfilled in every faithful believer through the daily experiences of the Church in this present age, as the Apostle John writes about this being the last hour (1 John 2:18). Hear the apostle, the teacher to the Gentiles, as he instructs: “I do not wish, brethren, to leave you uninformed, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from that spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, many among them were discontented with God and were cast out in the wilderness. These things were examples for us” (1 Corinthians 10:1-6). What more could you desire, beloved brethren? It is abundantly clear, not through human conjecture, but through the Apostle’s proclamation rooted in God's truth. God conveyed His message through them, and though it may emerge from human weakness, it is ultimately the divine voice that calls out: thus, it is evident that all the symbolic acts of the past find their fulfillment in our salvation. The future was foretold, the past recounted, and the present recognized.
Marvel at the fact that the hidden truths of the ancient scriptures are partly unveiled through the same texts themselves. For the prophet Micah states, “In the days of your going out of Egypt, I will show him wonders.” Therefore, in this psalm, although the wondrous spirit of prophecy gazes into the future, it may appear to simply recount past deeds. Judah, he declares, was His sanctuary; the sea saw it and fled, and while phrases of past actions denote something already completed, they also subliminally convey future implications. For even after many ages since this man departed from Egypt and well before these times of the Church, he attests without hesitation that he is indeed prophesying what is to come. “In the days,” he prophesies, “of your going out of the land of Egypt, I will show him wonders.” The nations shall witness and be filled with shame. This assertion, “The sea saw it and fled,” illustrates that if such phrases of the past contextually regard future revelations, who would dare to interpret the phrase “shall see and be confounded” as applying solely to historical events? Further on, he more clearly alludes to our very adversaries who pursued to destroy us, the sins we bear, which are vanquished and submerged in baptism as the Egyptians were drowned in the sea, saying, "Since He does not withhold His anger indefinitely, for He is kind and merciful, He will eventually return, have compassion on us, and drown our transgressions, casting all their sins into the depths of the sea."
What does this mean, beloved ones? Those who realize their identity as Israelites by lineage from Abraham, who belong to the house of Jacob, heirs of the promise, must acknowledge that you too emerged from Egypt because you have renounced worldly ties. You have come out from a strange land, as you have distanced yourselves from the blasphemies of the Gentiles through your commitment to godliness. For your voice does not echo the praise of God if it is not sincerely yours; it has become foreign, lacking the utterance of Hallelujah. Judah has become His sanctuary within you. A true Jew is one inwardly, not merely outward, as the true circumcision occurs in the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Therefore, reflect upon your hearts to determine if faith has indeed circumcised them, if confession has purified them. In you, Judah has become His sanctuary; in you, Israel has become His domain. He has bestowed upon you the power to become children of God (John 1:12).
However, I caution you not to seek out misinterpretations, nor should you project anything malevolent as you witness the Jordan’s miraculous reversal. The Lord chides those who turn their backs to Him rather than face Him (Jeremiah 2:27). Anyone who departs from the fountain of life and turns their back to their Creator, akin to a river flowing back into the sea, succumbs to the bitterness and wickedness of this world. Thus, it is beneficial for such a one to turn back, so that the God he once neglected may be restored before him. The sea, which once loomed before him as he veered toward it, should recede behind him. He should strive to forget the past in order to attain what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13), which will yield fulfillment after transformation.
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob (Psalm 113:7). The phrase “in the presence of the Lord” signifies the presence of Him who assures, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:30). The earth trembles; however, because of human sloth, it quakes, thus each person might be more firmly established in the presence of God.
He who transforms solid rock into still waters and the flint into flowing streams (Psalm 113:8) has melted Himself, manifesting what was considered His severity by nourishing those who believe in Him, becoming in them a wellspring of water that leads to eternal life (John 4:14). For in times prior, when He was not recognized, He seemed unyielding. Those who remarked, “This is a hard saying, who can bear it?” (John 6:60) were puzzled and did not await His outpouring when the Scriptures were unveiled. That rock—initially perceived as rigid—became pools of water and flowing springs at His resurrection, as He elucidated to them, beginning with Moses and the prophets, how Christ had to suffer (Luke 24:26-27), and He sent the Holy Spirit, proclaiming, “If anyone thirsts, let him come unto Me and drink” (John 7:37).
THEOSIS