When the Israelites departed Egypt, Jacob’s household emerged from a foreign nation (Psalm 112:1). In that moment, Judah became His sanctuary and Israel His domain (Psalm 112:2), as the sea fled and the Jordan turned back (Psalm 112:3). We should not view these historical events as mere past occurrences but rather as prefigurations of future truths because, while those miracles were manifest, the present also unfolded, anticipating what was to come. It is important to note that in recounting these events, certain details might differ from our readings. For instance, the scripture does not state that the Jordan simply receded; instead, it affirms that it was stopped at the point nearest to its source while the people crossed. Furthermore, there is no mention of mountains and hills leaping; those embellishments were added for emphasis. After stating that “the sea saw it and fled; the Jordan was turned back,” the psalmist also adds that “the mountains leaped like rams, and the hills like young sheep” (Psalm 113:4). He then inquires, “What ails you, O sea, that you fled? And you, O Jordan, that you turned back?” (Psalm 112:5). Alongside this, he refers to the mountains and hills leaping as if startled (Psalm 112:6).
Let us consider what this teaches us. Both these events serve as types for us, inviting self-reflection. If we embrace the grace bestowed upon us, we are indeed Israel, the descendants of Abraham; as stated by the apostle, "Therefore ye are Abraham's seed." No Christian should regard himself as separate from the identity of Israel, for we are linked together with the faithful among the Jewish believers, including the principal apostles. Thus, our Lord proclaims, “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in so that there will be one flock, and one Shepherd” (John 10:16). Therefore, the Christian community is more genuinely Israel and represents the house of Jacob; just as Israel and Jacob are one in essence. Conversely, the multitude of Jews who betrayed their heritage sacrificed their birthright for fleeting pleasures, aligning themselves not with Jacob, but with Esau, fulfilling the saying that “the elder shall serve the younger.”
Egypt, symbolizing suffering or oppression, often represents the world from which we must spiritually distance ourselves to avoid being yoked with the unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). Thus, every individual becomes a worthy citizen of heavenly Jerusalem only after renouncing worldly attachments, just as the Israelites could not enter the Promised Land until they were delivered from Egypt. They did not leave until divinely aided, highlighting that no one can genuinely detach from the world without the gift of divine mercy. What was a mere type then is now realized in each faithful person through the daily life of the Church in these last times, as noted by Blessed John (1 John 2:18).
The apostle, a teacher of the Gentiles, instructs us, “I do not wish, brethren, to leave you in ignorance, that all our fathers were under the cloud, 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 drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, most of them were displeased with God when they were cast out into the wilderness. These things happened as examples for us” (1 Corinthians 10:1-6). What more evidence do you require, dear brethren? It is clear, not through human assumption, but through the Apostle’s declaration, for God spoke through them. Though expressed in human language, it is God’s voice proclaiming that all these symbolisms find their fulfillment in our salvation; what was foretold is now actualized in history, and the present is witnessed in action.
Moreover, listen to the astonishing truth that the hidden mysteries of the ancient texts are revealed in their own words. The prophet Micah declares, “In the days of your going out of Egypt, I will show him wonders.” Hence, although the spirit of prophecy in this psalm gazes into the future, it recounts monumental past events. The phrases “Judah was His sanctuary,” “the sea saw it and fled,” and “the Jordan was thrown back” convey past actions, yet they subtly indicate future truths. Although much time elapsed since the exodus of this people until the Church’s epoch, the prophet affirms that he foretells what is to come: “In the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt, I will show him wonders,” and “the nations will see and be put to shame.” Thus, in this description of past events, the prophecy of future events is encapsulated. Furthermore, he clearly alludes to our enemies, represented by our sins, which are vanquished and washed away in baptism, just as the Egyptians sunk beneath the sea. The scripture reassures us, “He will not withhold His anger forever, for He is good and merciful; He will return and have compassion on us, casting all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
What is this, dear beloved? You who recognize your heritage as Israelites through Abraham’s lineage, who belong to the house of Jacob, inheritors of the promise, know that you too have departed from Egypt by renouncing worldly ways; you have emerged from a foreign nation through professing godliness and separating yourself from the blasphemies of the Gentiles. It is a foreign tongue that does not know how to extol God, to whom you proclaim Hallelujah. For Judah has become His sanctuary within you; it is not that a person is a Jew outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is merely external. The true Jew is inwardly transformed, through the circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Therefore, examine your hearts to see if faith has purified them, if your confession has cleansed you; for within you, Judah has become His sanctuary, and Israel His domain. You have been granted the power to become sons of God (John 1:12).
However, I caution you not to seek signs as the Jordan was turned back, or to anticipate anything negative. The Lord rebukes those who turn their backs to Him (Jeremiah 2:27). Everyone who forsakes the source of his being and turns away from his Creator is like a river flowing into the sea, sliding into the bitterness of this world. It is better for him to turn back, so that the God he has turned from may be before him upon his return; that the sea of this world, which he placed before him when he fell into sin, may now recede behind him. In pressing forward, he should forget what lies behind and strive for what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13), which will benefit him after his conversion.
Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, before the God of Jacob (Psalm 113:7). What does “before the Lord” signify but the presence of Him who declared, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:30)? The earth trembles; however, the reason for its trembling is that because of our slothfulness, it must be strengthened in the presence of the Lord.
He who turns solid rock into pools of water and flint into springs of water (Psalm 113:8). For He has transformed His very nature, which may have appeared unyielding, into liberation for those who believe in Him, becoming in them a wellspring of water that leads to eternal life (John 4:14). Initially, when He was not yet acknowledged, He may have seemed rigid. Those who said, “This is a hard saying; who can hear it?” (John 6:60) were perplexed, failing to await His outpouring when the Scriptures were unveiled. That rock, that rigidity, became like lakes of water, as He, after His resurrection, clarified to them, starting from Moses through all the prophets, how Christ was to suffer, fulfilling His purpose (Luke 24:26-27), and He sent the Holy Spirit, declaring, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37).
THEOSIS