Dialogue with Trypho
Chapter 91: The Cross was Predicted in Joseph's Blessings, and in the Serpent that was Raised Up
And God, through Moses, reveals another way the mystery of the cross is powerful, as seen in the blessing Joseph received: ‘His land is blessed by the Lord; for the seasons of heaven, the dews, the deep springs from beneath, the timely fruits of the sun, the coming months, the heights of the everlasting mountains and hills, the ever-flowing rivers, and the fruits of the earth's abundance. Let the blessings from Him who appeared in the bush come upon the head and crown of Joseph. Let him be honored among his brothers; his beauty is like the firstborn of a bull; his horns are like those of a unicorn: with these, he will push the nations from one end of the earth to the other.’
No one could claim or prove that the horns of a unicorn symbolize anything other than the type that represents the cross. For one beam stands upright, with the highest point raised into a horn, as another beam is fitted onto it, making the ends appear as horns joined to the main horn. The part fixed in the center, where those crucified hang, also stands out like a horn; it looks like a horn joined and fixed with the other horns. The phrase, ‘With these he will push the nations from one end of the earth to the other,’ signifies what is currently happening among all nations. Through the power of this mystery, people from all nations have been moved, that is, stirred in their hearts, turning from worthless idols and demons to serve God. But this same figure is shown for the destruction and condemnation of unbelievers; just as Amalek was defeated and Israel was victorious when they left Egypt, by means of Moses' outstretched hands, and the name of Jesus (Joshua), after whom the son of Nun was named.
It appears that the symbol and sign set up against the serpents that bit Israel were meant for the salvation of those who believe that death was declared to come later to the serpent through Him who was to be crucified, and salvation for those bitten by the serpent who turned to Him who sent His Son into the world to be crucified. The Spirit of prophecy through Moses did not teach us to believe in the serpent, as it shows that he was cursed by God from the beginning; and in Isaiah, it tells us that he shall be slain as an enemy by the mighty sword, which is Christ.