When Israel departed from Egypt and the house of Jacob escaped from a foreign nation (Psalm 112:1), Judah became His sanctuary and Israel His kingdom (Psalm 112:2). The sea witnessed this and fled, the Jordan turned back (Psalm 112:3). It is vital not to view past events merely as tales but to recognize them as prophetic of our future. While miraculous events unfolded for this nation, they simultaneously reflected the present and hinted at what was to come. Some aspects have been recounted differently than our familiarity with the texts; thus, they cannot solely be perceived as repetitions of previous actions, but rather as foretellings of events yet to be. We read that the Jordan did not simply turn back but that it halted at the point closest to its source while the people crossed. Further, we do not see the mountains and hills leap, for the Psalmist added these details. After stating, "The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back," he continued, "The mountains leaped like rams, and the hills like lambs" (Psalm 113:4), and then inquired, "What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back?" (Psalm 112:5) and "O mountains, that you leaped like rams? O hills, like lambs?" (Psalm 112:6).
Let us ponder what is being conveyed to us; both the historical events and the words challenge us to reflect on our identity. As we embrace the grace from God granted to us, we become Israel, the descendants of Abraham, to whom the Apostle states, "Therefore you are Abraham's seed." A Christian must never view himself as separate from the name of Israel. We are interconnected with the cornerstone of faith shared by believing Jews, from whom the chief apostles emerged. Our Lord also said, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them in, that there will be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16). Therefore, the Christian community can be understood as Israel and even more aptly as the house of Jacob; for Israel and Jacob represent the same lineage. However, the multitude of Jews who betrayed their birthright due to their earthly desires belong not to Jacob but to Esau. It is well known that it was stated, "The elder shall serve the younger."
Egypt is often seen as a symbol of suffering or oppression, making it emblematic of this world from which we are called to spiritually detach, lest we become yoked with the unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). Thus, one rightly becomes a true citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem by first renouncing worldly attachments, just as the people could not enter the promised land until they departed from Egypt. They could not leave until divine intervention allowed it, and likewise, no one will withdraw their heart from this world without the aid of divine mercy. The patterns of the past foreshadow the experiences of every faithful follower within the ongoing work of the Church in this age, as noted by Blessed John in his writings about the last days (1 John 2:18). We can hear the teachings of the Apostle Paul, who counsels us not to remain uninformed that all our forefathers were under the cloud and passed through the sea, were baptized into Moses in the cloud and sea, and shared the same spiritual sustenance. They drank from that spiritual rock which followed them, and that rock was Christ. Yet, many displeased God as they rebelled in the wilderness, and these occurrences serve as our examples (1 Corinthians 10:1-6). What more could we seek, dear brethren? It is evident, not stemming from human reasoning, but from the Apostle's authoritative words that echo God's truth, revealing that all that occurred as a shadow is now fulfilled in our salvation; what once was foreseen now reflects the past, while we are present witnesses.
Consider this: the profound and concealed truths of ancient scripture find relevance in understanding their implications for us today. For the prophet Micah reveals, "In the days of your exodus from Egypt, I will show him wonders..." Thus, while this psalm appears to narrate past events, the prophetic spirit simultaneously casts its gaze into the future. By stating, "Judah was His sanctuary; the sea saw it and fled," the use of past-tense verbs does not preclude us from perceiving future realities through them. Despite the lengthy interval from the Israelites' liberation from Egypt to our current ecclesiastical period, the words echo forward, proclaiming forthcoming wonders. The nations will see and be confounded, as suggested by the text; for if past events convey prophetic future insights, who would dare to assert that "they shall see and be confounded" refers solely to bygone occurrences? Later, the psalmist clearly alludes to our enemies, symbolizing our sins, which are vanquished in baptism much like the Egyptians perished in the sea. Just as He does not withhold His mercy forever—coupled with goodness—He will again show favor and immerse our iniquities, casting all their transgressions into the depths of the sea.
What does this mean, beloved brethren? You who recognize yourselves as descendants of Israel through Abraham and heirs of the promise understand that you too have escaped Egypt by rejecting worldly allurements. You have distanced yourselves from foreign nations, as godliness separates you from the blasphemies of the Gentiles. Your voice, which sings Hallelujah, knows how to glorify God; the foreign tongue cannot praise Him authentically. Judah has thus become His sanctuary within you, for true circumcision is not merely of the flesh, but inwardly by the heart’s transformation (Romans 2:28-29). Therefore, examine your hearts to see whether faith has truly purified them, whether your confession has made you clean; for in you, Judah has become His sanctuary, and you, Israel, have received His sovereignty. He has bestowed upon you the right to become the children of God (John 1:12).
Yet, I urge you not to seek wisdom or anticipate ill omens as the Jordan flows back, nor to lament what is evil. The Lord admonishes those who forsake Him, turning their backs rather than their faces toward Him (Jeremiah 2:27). Anyone who abandons their essence and creator plunges into the bitterness of this world. Therefore, it is beneficial for them to return, whereupon the God they had turned their backs to may stand before them. The worldly chaos they once faced may recede behind them, allowing them to forget that which is past in pursuit of what lies ahead, for the future holds promise post-repentance (Philippians 3:13).
Tremble at the presence of the Lord, before the God of Jacob (Psalm 113:7). What does "in the presence of the Lord" signify but the fellowship of Him who declared, "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:30)? The earth trembled at His presence; yet, in the slothfulness of spirit, we must understand that it quaked to strengthen our resolve in divine nearness.
He who transformed solid rock into flowing water and flint into springs (Psalm 113:8) manifested His grace, subduing His own strength to nourish those who believe in Him, that He may become within them a fountain of water springing up to eternal life (John 4:14), as He was once viewed as unyielding. Many questioned, "This is a hard saying; who can hear it?" (John 6:60) and stumbled, not awaiting Him to reveal the Scriptures' depth to them. That rock became a source of rivers, transforming at His resurrection when he expounded how it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and enter into glory (Luke 24:26-27), sending forth the Holy Spirit, announcing, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" (John 7:37).
THEOSIS