But let us see what is said to Moses after these things, what way is enjoined to be chosen. "From Othon," it says, "turn back and make your journey between Epauleum and Magdolum, which is over against Beelsephon." Now these are interpreted thus: "Epauleum" indeed a winding ascent, "Magdolum" a tower, "Beelsephon" the ascent of a watchtower, or having a watchtower. You perhaps believed that the way which God shows was level and soft and had absolutely no difficulty or labor: it is an ascent, and a winding ascent. For the way by which one strives toward the virtues is not downhill, but one ascends, and ascends narrowly and with difficulty. Hear also the Lord in the Gospel saying how "strait and narrow is the way that leads to life." See, then, how greatly the Gospel agrees with the Law. In the Law the way of virtue is shown to be a winding ascent; in the Gospels it is called "the strait and narrow way that leads to life." Cannot even the blind openly see this, that one and the same Spirit wrote the Law and the Gospels? It is, then, a journey which they travel, a winding ascent and the ascent of a watchtower, or having a watchtower; the ascent pertains to deeds, the watchtower to faith. He shows, therefore, that both in deeds and in faith there is much difficulty and much labor. For many temptations arise, many stumbling-blocks for those who wish to do the things that are of God. Then, further, in faith you will find many winding things, very many questions, many objections of heretics, many contradictions of unbelievers. This journey, then, must be made by those who follow God; but there is also a tower on this journey. What is that tower? That one, surely, of which the Lord says in the Gospel: "which of you, wishing to build a tower, will not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has the means to complete it?" This, then, is the tower, the steep and lofty seat of the virtues. But see what Pharaoh says, beholding these things: 'they are wandering astray,' he says, 'these people.' In Pharaoh's judgment, he who follows God is said to wander astray; because, as we said, the way of wisdom is winding, having many bends, many difficulties, very many turnings. In short, when you confess one God, and by the same confession affirm the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit to be one God, how winding, how difficult, how inextricable this seems to be to unbelievers! Then, further, when you say that "the Lord of majesty" was crucified and that he is the Son of Man "who came down from heaven," how winding these things seem and how difficult! He who hears, if he does not hear with faith, says that these people are wandering astray; but be you fixed and do not doubt concerning faith of this kind, knowing that God has shown you this way of faith. For He Himself said: "taking up the camp from Othon, pitch it between Epauleum and Magdolum over against Beelsephon." Fleeing therefore from Egypt, you come to these places, you come to these ascents of works and of faith, you come to the building of the tower, you come also to the sea, and the waves meet you. For the journey of life is not made without the waves of temptations; as the Apostle also says: "all who wish to live piously in Christ shall suffer persecution." But Job likewise declares that: "our life upon the earth is a temptation." This, then, is to have come to the sea.
Source: HOMILIES ON EXODUS 5