When the nation of Israel emerged from Egypt and Jacob's household departed from foreign lands, Psalm 112:1 speaks of Judah as God’s sanctuary and Israel as His cherished domain (Psalm 112:2). The sea witnessed these actions and withdrew, while the Jordan turned back (Psalm 112:3). We should not view these past occurrences solely in isolation but rather see them as foreshadowing future events; these miracles were indeed happening in real time, hinting at what was to come. The description differs from what we have typically understood to illustrate that these events were not merely repetitions but forecasts of future realities. Firstly, we read that rather than the Jordan just receding, it halted at its source while the people traversed. Furthermore, the text doesn’t mention mountains leaping, something later added to emphasize the grandeur of the events. After stating, "The sea saw it and fled; Jordan was driven back," Psalm 113:4 continues with an image of mountains leaping like sheep and hills like young lambs. It further inquires, “What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, why do you turn back?” (Psalm 112:5) along with the question about mountains and hills.
Let us contemplate the significance of these teachings, as both the events and the words encourage self-reflection for us. If we cling to God’s grace, we count ourselves as part of Israel, the descendants of Abraham; hence, the apostle declares, “Therefore you are Abraham's seed.” Let no Christian reject this identity. We are connected to the faithful Jews, particularly those who were the chief apostles. Our Lord acknowledges this in another statement, "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock, one Shepherd.” John 10:16 In this sense, the Christian community is truly Israel, the house of Jacob, as both names refer to the same lineage. Conversely, those among the Jews who turned from faith and surrendered their birthright for worldly pleasures do not belong to Jacob but to Esau, thus illustrating the meaning in declaring, "The older shall serve the younger."
Egypt symbolizes affliction and oppression, representing this worldly existence, from which we need to spiritually separate ourselves so as not to be yoked with the disbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Only when we renounce this world do we become worthy citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, just as the people could not enter the promised land until they departed from Egypt. Their exodus was facilitated only through Divine intervention, reflecting that no one can genuinely turn their heart from worldly affairs without the aid of God’s mercy. The figures of the past find their fulfillment in all believers through the daily endeavors of the Church in this current age, which, as Blessed John acknowledges, is the last time. 1 John 2:18 Listen to the apostle, the teacher to the Gentiles, stating, “I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and they all passed through the sea; they were all 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 the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them, God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.” 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 What more can be desired, beloved brethren? This is evident, not from human interpretation, but from the Apostle’s testimony; indeed, it was God who spoke through them. Thus, we see that all previous actions are now realized in our salvation; in the past prophecies were made, now we recount history, and observe our present reality.
Moreover, consider the marvelous truth that the concealed mysteries of earlier scriptures are unveiled through them. The prophet Micah foretells, “In the days of your exodus from Egypt, I will show him wonders," revealing that even in this Psalm, while prophetic insight gazes forward, it recounts past events. Judah as His sanctuary, the sea seeing it and fleeing—though articulated in the past tense, these words also allude to the future. These expressions, although referencing events of long ago, still portend truths about the future. The phrases draw attention to the future consequences of these historical events, asserting that the nations will be put to shame, embodying what is articulated, "The sea saw it and ran." Considering that through these past expressions, the future is insightfully revealed, who would claim that these “shall see and be confounded” pertain only to historical events? Just below, it further hints at our very enemies—our sins—represented as the Egyptians, which are overwhelmed and extinguished through Baptism, akin to how the Egyptians were drowned in the sea. God does not forever withhold His mercy; He will turn back, have compassion upon us, and cast our sins into the depths of the sea.
What does this mean, beloved? You, who acknowledge your identity as Israelites through Abraham’s lineage, who derive from Jacob's house, heirs to the promise, recognize that you too have departed from Egypt, signifying your renunciation of this world; you have come out from a foreign nation as you separate yourselves from the blasphemies of the Gentiles through your profession of godliness. Your voice is that of praise, celebrating God, in joyous response of Hallelujah. Through you, Judah has become His sanctuary; for, as the scripture states, he is not a true Jew by outward appearance, but one whose hearts are spiritually circumcised. Romans 2:28-29 Therefore, examine your hearts to see whether faith has transformed and sanctified them. Through you, Judah has become His sanctuary, and Israel has become His realm, as you have been granted the right to become children of God. John 1:12
Do not, however, expect to find your faith solely in overturning the Jordan or conjuring any ill omens. The Lord rebukes those who turn their backs on Him instead of facing Him. Jeremiah 2:27 Anyone who forsakes their very source of life, turning away from their Creator, submerges into the bitter evils of this world like a river flowing into the sea. For their good, turning back is essential, ensuring that the God whom they have placed behind them becomes their focus when they return; they must leave behind the worldly sea that they once faced, so they might disregard what lies in the past and strive toward what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13 which will benefit them following their conversion.
Tremble, O earth, in the presence of the Lord, before the God of Jacob. Psalm 113:7 What does it mean to be in the Lord’s presence, but to acknowledge Him who proclaims, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”? Matthew 28:30 The earth trembles; yet it does so because of His slothfulness, striving for strength in the presence of the Almighty.
He transforms solid rock into flowing water and flint into life-giving springs Psalm 113:8 as He softened Himself, quenching the thirst of those who believe in Him, becoming in them a fount of everlasting life. John 4:14, for before He was recognized, He appeared unyielding. Thus, those who remarked, “This is a hard saying; who can accept it?" John 6:60 were confounded and did not await His outpouring of revelation through the Scriptures. The hardness of that rock became reservoirs of water, when He explained to them, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, how Christ was to suffer; Luke 24:26-27 and sent the Holy Spirit, declaring, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” John 7:37
THEOSIS