Numbers 26:53

These are the numbers we are reading, and in the earlier reading we were shut out by time from saying anything about the second numbering; but it is fitting now to render what was omitted or left out. Therefore by the Lord's command the people was first numbered, but since those who had first been enrolled fell on account of their persistence in sins, a second people now, which succeeded into the place of the fallen by a revived generation, is called to the numbering, and what had not been said of those former ones is said of these. For after the number was gathered by tribes and peoples and houses and families, the Lord says to Moses: "To these the land shall be distributed by lot according to the number of names. To the more numerous more shall be given by lot, and to the small you shall give a small inheritance." If it had been said of the former ones that "to these the land shall be distributed by lot," it would surely have been false, because they fell in the desert on account of their sins. What therefore was not said to the first is said to the last, for whom also all the things that are promised were fulfilled. But I would not have you think this is confined to the text of the mere history; these are mysteries which are set down through the image of the law. For the former people, which is in circumcision, is rejected, and a second is brought in, which is gathered from the nations; and it is this people that obtains the paternal inheritance. And from whom does it obtain it? Not from Moses, but from Joshua. For Moses, even if he gives an inheritance to some, does not give it within the Jordan nor does he cross the Jordan at all, but he gives land beyond the Jordan — not land flowing with milk and honey, but land suited to cattle and better at nourishing dumb animals and irrational beasts than rational men. But my Joshua, the land which he gives to the second people is a land flowing with milk and honey — nay rather, it is a honeycomb beyond every land. And Moses indeed does not give an inheritance by allotment nor distribute it by lot, nor is he able to weigh out by divine lot the merits of individuals according to peoples and houses and families and names; this Joshua alone does, to whom the Father has handed over all judgment; he knows how to dispense to his people, not only by tribes and families and houses, but even by names, to each one a worthy…

He says therefore: "According to the number of names, to the more numerous more shall be given by lot, and to the small you shall give a small inheritance; to each, as he has been counted, his inheritance shall be given." This is what the history teaches, that if any tribe is held to be more numerous among the peoples, it should obtain by lot larger tracts of land; but if any is reckoned with a smaller number of men, it should be content with a smaller possession. But since we say that the division of this land and the earthly inheritance holds the appearance and shows the image and form of those future goods, of that heavenly inheritance which is hoped for by the faithful and the saints, I inquire, in that inheritance which is to be hoped for, who are the many and who are the few, and I find that there the few are held more blessed than the many. For those who travel their journey by the broad and spacious way that leads to destruction are called many; but those who go by the strait and narrow way that leads to life are called few. And again in other places it is said: "How few are they who are saved!" and again in others: "Where iniquity is multiplied, the charity of many"— not of few —"shall grow cold." Moreover in the ark, which was built by Noah, where the measurements are given from heaven, in the lower parts a length of three hundred cubits is set and a breadth of fifty; but where its structure rises to higher parts, it is drawn into a narrow space and gathered into the enclosure of few cubits, so that its top is finished in the space of a single cubit — for this reason, that in the lower parts, where broad and spacious places were had, either beasts or cattle were placed, but in the upper parts the birds, and in the topmost parts, which were narrower and more confined, there the rational man is placed. But the very peak is gathered into one cubit; for all things are brought back to the monad, which nevertheless in the number of three hundred cubits designates the mystery of the Trinity, and next to this mystery man is placed, as being rational and capable of God. But from this too let us gather the tokens of what is the difference between the few and the many. Set down the whole number of the human race and from all the nations choose the faithful: without doubt they will be fewer than are the whole. Then next from the number of the faithful choose…