It should not be thought that these historical events relate only to the past; rather, they include prophetic truths regarding the future. While miracles were occurring among this people, the present was entwined with glimpses of what was to come. Some aspects he recounted differently than what is recorded, to ensure they were seen not merely as echoes of history, but as foretellings of what was yet to come. Initially, we do not read of the Jordan being pushed back, but rather of it stopping at the source of its streams as the people crossed. Additionally, there is no mention of mountains leaping, a creative embellishment added by him. He declared, "The sea saw it and fled; the Jordan was turned back," followed by, "The mountains danced like rams, and the hills like young sheep." Psalm 113:4 Then he inquires, "What ails you, O sea, that you fled; O Jordan, that you went back?" Psalm 112:5 "O mountains, why leap like rams, and you hills like young sheep?" Psalm 112:6
Let us then examine the lessons presented here, as both events serve as typological reflections of our own journey, calling us to self-awareness. If we hold fast to the grace bestowed upon us, we are Israel, the descendants of Abraham; thus the apostle declares, "Therefore you are Abraham's offspring." There should be no Christian who feels disconnected from the identity of Israel, for we are unified with the faithful Jewish believers from whom the chief apostles arose. As the Lord remarked in another passage, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them in, that there may be one flock and one Shepherd." John 10:16 Accordingly, today’s Christian community more rightly embodies Israel, and by extension, the house of Jacob, as they are one and the same. Yet the large numbers of Jews criticized for their betrayal traded their birthright for transient pleasures, aligning themselves more with Esau than Jacob, as the saying, "The elder shall serve the younger," implies.
Egypt symbolizes suffering or oppression and often represents the world, from which we must spiritually withdraw to avoid yoking ourselves with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Only by renouncing worldly ties can one become a true citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem, just as the Israelites could not enter the promised land without first exiting Egypt. And just as their departure required Divine intervention, so too must anyone seek a genuine heart transformation with the aid of Divine grace. The shadows of the past manifest in the everyday endeavors of the faithful within the Church, as we live in these latter days, as Blessed John writes. 1 John 2:18 Listen to the apostle, the teacher of the Gentiles, as he instructs: "I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that all our ancestors were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; they 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." Despite this, many displeased God and were cast out in the wilderness. These events serve as our examples. 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 What more can be desired, beloved? Clearly, this is not mere speculation, but rather the testimony of the Apostle — that is, God and our Lord; for God spoke through them, and even through the fleshly veil, it was God who cried out. From such profound testimony, it is evident that all these figurative actions are fulfilled in our salvation; what was foretold in the past is now manifest, and the present is observed.
Moreover, consider the remarkable truth that the hidden mysteries of the ancient texts are partially revealed through them. The prophet Micah foretold, "In the days of your coming out of Egypt, I will show him wonders," etc. Hence, while this Psalm may appear to reflect solely on the past, the prophetic spirit glimpses the future. When he states, "Judah was His sanctuary; the sea saw it and fled," the verbs are in the past tense; yet terms like "the Jordan was pushed back" and "the mountains arose" also signify past actions while allowing us to perceive the future within them. Although there was a long interval between the departure from Egypt and these times in the Church, he assures us that he is indeed prophesying. "In the days of your exodus from Egypt, I will show him wonders; the nations shall see and be ashamed." If the passage through these past tense words conceals the future, who would claim that the phrase "shall see and be put to shame" pertains to former occurrences? Further down, he refers even more explicitly to our true adversaries, the sins that pursued us, which are overcome and buried in Baptism, much like the Egyptians who were drowned in the sea; for He does not hold back His wrath forever, being both good and merciful. He will turn to have compassion upon us, casting all our transgressions into the depths of the sea.
What does this reveal, dear ones? All of you who regard yourselves as Israelites, children of Abraham, members of the house of Jacob, heirs of the promise, recognize that you, too, have departed from Egypt by renouncing worldly attachments. You have stepped away from a foreign nation by your godly declaration, liberating yourselves from the blasphemies of the Gentiles. It is not your voice, but one unfamiliar with God's praises, that sings Hallelujah. For Judah has become His sanctuary within you; the true Jew is one whose heart has been circumcised, not merely in outward signs. Romans 2:28-29 Therefore, examine your hearts to see if faith has truly sanctified them, if your confessions have cleansed you. In you, Judah has become His sanctuary; in you, Israel is His kingdom, for He has granted you the authority to become children of God. John 1:12
But do not seek to turn the river back, nor should you foreshadow anything wicked. The Lord rebukes those who turn their backs to Him instead of facing Him. Jeremiah 2:27 Anyone who forsakes the source of his being and turns away from his Creator slips into the bitter depravity of this world, akin to a river flowing into the sea. It is thus wise for him to return, so that the God whom he has turned from may once again be before him; the sea of this world, which he placed in front of him on his descent toward it, should be behind him. He should forget what lies behind, striving for what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13; this will prove beneficial following his conversion.
Tremble, O earth, in the presence of the Lord, in the presence of the God of Jacob. Psalm 113:7 What does "in the presence of the Lord" signify, but the presence of Him who declared, "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:30 The earth trembled because of Him, yet the slothful maintained their posture, causing the trembling to be a reminder meant to strengthen us in the Lord's presence.
He transformed solid rock into water and flint into flowing springs. Psalm 113:8 In His own being, He melted away hard obstacles, providing a drink for believers, so that He may become in them a wellspring of water welling up into eternal life. John 4:14 For previously, when He was not known, He appeared harsh. Therefore, those who exclaimed, "This is a hard saying; who can bear it?" John 6:60 were bewildered and could not wait for Him to pour out the revelations contained in Scripture. The rock, that hardness, turned into lakes of water, became springs when at His resurrection He opened their understanding, showing them, starting from Moses through all the prophets, how Christ must suffer. Luke 24:26-27 He sent the Holy Spirit, whom He invited, "If anyone thirsts, let them come to Me and drink." John 7:37
THEOSIS