When Israel emerged from Egypt and the household of Jacob left a foreign land (Psalm 112:1), Judah became His sanctuary and Israel His domain (Psalm 112:2). The sea fled and the Jordan turned back (Psalm 112:3). It is crucial not to view these ancient events merely as historical, but rather as prophetic foreshadows of what is yet to come. While the miracles transpired in that nation, the present manifested while casting a light on the future. Certain details may differ from what we traditionally understand—highlighting that these are not mere recaps of previous events, but rather predictions of what is to unfold. For instance, we read that the Jordan was not simply turned back but halted near its source while the people traversed it; furthermore, we don't find mentions of mountains and hills leaping until they are elaborated later. Thus, when it is declared, "The sea saw it and fled; the Jordan was driven back," it is followed by the vivid imagery of “The mountains leaped like rams, and the hills like lambs” (Psalm 113:4). The psalmist then queries: "What ails you, O sea, that you flee? And you, O Jordan, that you turn back?" (Psalm 112:5). "Why do you leap like rams, O mountains? And you, O hills, like lambs?" (Psalm 112:6).
We must reflect on the lessons here, as both events serve as types for us, prompting self-examination. If we hold firmly to the grace bestowed upon us, we are indeed Israel, the descendants of Abraham, as expressed by the apostle: "Therefore you are Abraham's seed." Every Christian should embrace their identity within Israel, for we are joined through Christ with the faithful among the believing Jews, exemplified by the apostles. Our Lord articulated this connection, saying, "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice. So there will be one flock and one Shepherd" (John 10:16). Therefore, the Christian community represents Israel, the true house of Jacob, as both names refer to the same lineage. In contrast, those among the Jews whose duplicity led to their downfall sold their birthright for transient pleasures. It was prophesied that "the elder shall serve the younger."
Egypt, often symbolizing affliction or oppression, can represent this world, from which we must spiritually extricate ourselves to avoid being yoked with the unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). A true citizen of the celestial Jerusalem renounces worldly attachments, mirroring how the Israelites could not enter the promised land until they were freed from Egypt. Just as they required divine assistance for their deliverance, a person cannot genuinely turn from worldly distractions without receiving divine mercy. What once was a type now finds fulfillment in every faithful believer through the everyday struggles of the Church during these last days, as noted by Blessed John (1 John 2:18). Consider the instruction of the apostle to the Gentiles: "I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all 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 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. These things happened to them as examples for us" (1 Corinthians 10:1-6). What more could be asked for, beloved brethren? It is clear not from mere human speculation but from the pronouncement of the Apostle—God and our Lord spoke through them, and even though this utterance came from human mouths, it reflects divine truths. Thus, from this profound testimony, it is evident that all symbolic actions are fulfilled in our salvation; while the future was foretold in those days, now the past is recorded, and we witness the present.
Witness the astonishing reality that the concealed truths of sacred texts are, in some senses, laid bare. The prophet Micah declared, "In the days of your going out of Egypt I will show him wonders," indicating divine marvels yet to unfold. Therefore, while this psalm casts a glance towards the future, it appears to recount historical events. The assertion that Judah was His sanctuary echoes past events: "The sea saw it and fled," and similar phrases suggest past occurrences yet simultaneously convey foretelling of what is to come. Although it had been long since the departure from Egypt, the psalmist’s words convey a prophecy concerning the future. "In the days of your coming out of Egypt, I will show wonders," he proclaims—nations will witness and be confounded. Thus, when it states that "The sea saw it and ran," could one interpret this declaration of "shall see and be confounded" solely as a reference to historical events? The psalmist further alludes to enemies pursuing us—our sins—drowned in baptism just as the Egyptians were submerged in the sea. Knowing that His mercy is infinite, He will return and extend grace, casting all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Dearly beloved, recognize your identity as Israelites through Abraham's lineage, part of Jacob's household and inheritors of the promise, for you have also departed from Egypt by relinquishing worldly attachments; you have left behind a strange nation, having distanced yourselves from the blasphemies of the Gentiles through your profession of godliness. A worldly tongue sings not praises to God, as it does not know how to utter Hallelujah. In you, Judah has become His sanctuary, for he who is a Jew is not one outwardly, nor is true circumcision external but instead resides in the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Evaluate your hearts—has your faith circumcised them? Has your confession purified them? In you, Judah has become His sanctuary; in you, Israel has become His dominion, for He enables you to become children of God (John 1:12).
However, I implore you not to seek solely from the darker aspects of this transition, nor to deduce any malevolent intent. The Lord rebukes those who turn away from Him while not seeking His face (Jeremiah 2:27), and anyone who forsakes their own source and retreats from the Creator drifts into the harshness of this world, like a river emptying into the sea. It benefits one to reconsider, allowing the God, whom they have turned from, to be in front of them upon their return, so that the worldly distractions that once lay before them might fall behind. The goal should be to forget what is behind and reach for what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13), which will be advantageous after one’s transformation.
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob (Psalm 113:7). What does it mean to be in the presence of the Lord if not to be before the one who said, "Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20)? The earth quaked because of His presence, yet some were indifferent, not recognizing that through Him, they could be firmly established in the divine presence.
Who transformed solid rock into pools of water and hard stone into flowing springs? (Psalm 113:8). He softened what was perceived as unmalleable, providing sustenance to those who believe in Him, so that He becomes in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14), for prior to being known, He appeared challenging. Those who exclaimed, "This is a hard teaching; who can accept it?" (John 6:60) missed the revelation that He would soon pour forth the Spirit upon them as the Scriptures were unveiled. That rock, once steadfast, turned into pools of water; that hardness became springs when, following His resurrection, He elucidated how Christ must suffer, starting from Moses and all the prophets (Luke 24:26-27), and sent the Holy Spirit, declaring, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" (John 7:37).
THEOSIS