When Israel emerged from Egypt, and Jacob’s household departed from a foreign land, Psalm 112:1 Judah became His sanctuary and Israel His realm. Psalm 112:2 The sea witnessed this and fled; the Jordan turned back. Psalm 112:3 Let us not think that these former events are irrelevant to us or merely historical; rather, they hint at future realities. For while these wonders were unfolding in that time, they were also foreshadowing what was yet to come. Some aspects differ from the narratives we know, ensuring they cannot be simply perceived as mere repetitions, but rather as prophecies of what lies ahead. Initially, the account doesn’t specify that the Jordan receded; instead, it mentions that it halted at the source of its streams as the people passed. Additionally, we do not read of mountains and hills leaping, all of which has been added for emphasis. After stating that ‘the sea saw it and fled; the Jordan was driven back,’ he continues, ‘the mountains leaped like lambs, and the hills like young sheep’ Psalm 113:4 and then inquires, ‘O sea, why did you flee? O Jordan, why were you driven back?’ Psalm 112:5 ‘You mountains, why leap like lambs? And you hills, like young sheep?’ Psalm 112:6
Let us consider, then, the lessons we are offered here; both these events are representative of our journey and these words urge us to understand ourselves. If we remain steadfast in the grace extended to us, we are indeed Israel, the descendants of Abraham; the apostle affirms, ‘Therefore ye are Abraham's seed.’ Hence, no Christian should regard himself as separate from the identity of Israel. We are conjoined with the faithful Jews, who include the principal apostles. Consequently, our Lord declares elsewhere, ‘And I have other sheep which are not of this fold; these also I must bring, that there may be one flock and one Shepherd.’ John 10:16 Therefore, the Christian community is most rightly seen as Israel, and likewise as the house of Jacob; for Israel and Jacob are one in the same. Conversely, those Jews criticized for their betrayal sold their birthright for earthly desires, thus aligning themselves not with Jacob, but with Esau. This signifies the elder shall serve the younger.
Moreover, Egypt—which symbolizes affliction, oppression, and suffering—serves frequently as a metaphor for this world; we are called to spiritually distance ourselves from it, lest we become embroiled alongside the faithless. 2 Corinthians 6:14 To be a worthy citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem requires a renouncement of this world, just as the Israelites could not enter the promised land until they exited Egypt. They did not leave until they were aided by Divine grace; similarly, true spiritual departure from this world is possible only through the empowering gift of Divine mercy. What once was a symbol now finds its fulfillment in every faithful individual amidst the Church’s daily endeavors during this age, as the blessed John refers to this as the final hour. 1 John 2:18 Listen to the apostle, the teacher of the nations, as he instructs, ‘I do not wish, brethren, to leave you in ignorance, that all our fathers were 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 drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual rock which followed them, and that rock was Christ. Yet many of them displeased God and were overthrown in the wilderness. These things were meant to serve as examples for us.’ 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 What more do you seek, beloved brethren? For this is made clear—not from human conjecture, but from the Apostle’s declaration, whom God spoke through. Though He spoke through the flesh, it was God who proclaimed these truths: thus from such monumental testimony, it is evident that all those acts depicted in the past are now fulfilled in our salvation; what was foretold has come to pass, and the present is evident.
Consider, further, the marvelous revelation that the mysteries concealed within ancient texts are simultaneously unveiled through those same scriptures. The prophet Micah states, “In the days of your going out of Egypt, I will show him wonders,” etc. Although this psalm reveals prophetic insight regarding future events, it presents an account of the past. For when it claims Judah was His sanctuary and illustrates the sea fleeing and the Jordan turning back, these past tense verbs convey a truth that can easily connect to future insights. Although these verses refer to events long after the exodus and long before the current era of the Church, they undoubtedly prophesy what is yet to come. "In the days," it says, "of your departure from Egypt, I will display wonders." The nations will witness and be confounded. What we see expressed in the psalm, “The sea saw it and fled,” indicates that through these descriptions, future revelations are embedded; who would interpret the phrases “shall see and be put to shame” as descriptions of solely past occurrences?
As we continue, he further hints at those adversaries who pursued us seeking to destroy us, namely our sins, which are vanquished and erased in Baptism, just as the Egyptians were drowned in the sea. As it is stated, since His wrath does not linger eternally, being both good and merciful, He will return, take pity on us, and drown our transgressions into the depths of the sea.
What does this mean, dearly beloved? Those of you who consider yourselves descendants of Abraham and part of Jacob's lineage, heirs to the promise—know that you too have come out of Egypt, having renounced the world, and escaped from foreign influences, as you have distanced yourselves from the falsehoods of the Gentiles through your profession of faith. It is not your voice, but that of a stranger, unfamiliar with the praise of God, to whom you sing praises of Hallelujah. For Judah has established itself as His sanctuary within you; for one is not a Jew merely in outward form, nor is physical circumcision the definitive marker of identity; rather, he is a Jew who is circumcised inwardly in heart. Romans 2:28-29 Therefore, examine your hearts and discern whether faith has sanctified them and confession has purified them; within you, Judah has become His sanctuary, and within you, Israel has gained dominion. For He has empowered you to be called the children of God. John 1:12
However, I urge you not to seek signs or portents, nor to envision anything ominous, as the Jordan turned back. The Lord chastises those who turn away from Him, refusing to face Him. Jeremiah 2:27 For everyone who abandons the source of their being and turns away from their Creator, finds themselves swept into the bitterness of this world like a river flowing into the sea. Thus, it is beneficial for one to turn back so that the God they have turned their back on may be set before their eyes upon their return, and that the sea of worldly troubles they have prioritized may fall behind them; they should forget what lies behind in order to reach what is ahead. Philippians 3:13 This will greatly benefit them following their conversion.
Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, before the God of Jacob Psalm 113:7 What does it mean to be in the presence of the Lord but to recognize the one who proclaimed, “Behold, I am with you all the days, even to the end of the age”? Matthew 28:30 The earth trembled, but since it remained idle, it quaked, so that it might be reinforced more firmly in the presence of the Lord.
Who transformed solid rock into flowing water and flint into springs Psalm 113:8 For He softened Himself, and what was once perceived as rigid, He turned into a source for those who trust in Him, that He might manifest as a spring within them leading to eternal life. John 4:14 For before He was revealed, He seemed unyielding. Hence, those who proclaimed, “This is a hard saying; who can hear it?” John 6:60 were perplexed and could not endure His presence until He revealed to them His grace through the Scriptures. That previously firm rock softened, becoming lakes of water and springs of life at His resurrection when He explained to them, beginning from Moses and all the prophets, the necessity of Christ’s suffering; Luke 24:26-27 and He bestowed the Holy Ghost, saying, "Let anyone who thirsts come to Me and drink." John 7:37
THEOSIS