Isaiah 1:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For those who are less discerning, the urgent need for liberation from sin may not hold as much appeal as the pursuit of worldly pleasures. Hence, He offers these temporal goods simultaneously, as they are intrinsically linked to spiritual salvation. Furthermore, by illustrating the ease of embracing virtue, He implies that it hinges solely on one’s desires.

Can you see that a sincere desire is essential? However, this desire must be one of distinction, not merely common longing. Many today express a wish to reach heaven, yet this aspiration must be substantiated by actions.

The Almighty God, through the wisdom of Moses, once spoke to the Israelites, declaring, "I have set before you life and death" (Deuteronomy 30:15). Within us resides a yearning for both paths, and the outcome of our inclinations leads either to a life illuminated by righteousness and aligned with divine law or to a life deserving of reproach. It is undeniable that those who choose a life that is good and pleasing to God will find true life, while those who indulge in sinful pleasures face inevitable death and ruin. Therefore, the reward of obedience is that the faithful will partake in the blessings of the earth prepared for the saints, reminded by our Lord Jesus Christ, who said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:4).

In this context, the genuine liberation of human nature is distinctly illustrated. I believe this understanding aligns with all that has been previously discussed. The prophet states, ‘If ye leave the service of the killing scripture, if ye wash yourselves, and, being made clean, show at last in practice the manner of life prescribed for you, and come into judgement, ye shall abound in this and that, and enjoy the promised comfort, and shall not become the food of the chastening and exterminating sword.’ For those who perceive with a limited perspective, the reward for obedience consists of earthly promises; however, for those who seek a deeper spiritual understanding, the essence of Scripture conveys the advantages of the spiritual realm, which, as indicated, will be inherited by the pleasing meek (Matt. 5:5).

If you are willing to listen, you will enjoy the blessings of the earth; however, if you refuse and provoke My anger, you will face destruction. For the Lord has declared this. God preserves free will, meaning that whether we receive blessings or face consequences, it is based not on divine predestination, but on individual merit. The blessings of the earth refer to what we find in the Psalms: I believe I have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Ps. 26:13) and: Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Additionally, since He spoke to the Jews, who were not yet receptive to spiritual riches, He offers them the temporal benefits, to encourage them, at least through these present blessings, to fulfill His commandments.

The Scriptures assure the faithful of these blessings, declaring, ‘You will feast on the bounty of the earth.’ Hence, let us embody what is virtuous, that we may achieve goodness. True goodness is characterized by moderation, absence of deceit, and gentleness, along with humility, righteousness, truthfulness, integrity, kindness, and compassion. Thus, goodness resembles a nurturing mother, embracing all virtues.

The Scriptures refer to the possessions of this world as the goods of the earth, drawing this designation from the treasures to come, since God, in His infinite wisdom, instructs our frailty and leads us from the tangible to the spiritual. What does the Prophet describe as the goods of the earth (Isaiah 1:19)?

The grace of God and human free will both play a crucial role in the process of salvation. While individuals may occasionally seek to embrace virtue on their own, they consistently require divine assistance to realize these aspirations.

Among the Pelagians, there exists another misunderstanding: they grant humanity such autonomy in decision-making that they believe individuals can, on their own, conceive and enact goodness without the aid of God's grace. However, one might perceive these notions with a flawed perspective, aiming to support the idea that humans can generate the initial spark of goodwill independently, subsequently receiving Divine assistance. Thus, it is erroneous to assert that we are the source of His benevolence, rather than He being the origin of it.

Isaiah thus speaks of the rewards that will be bestowed upon the body in God's Kingdom, where the body will undergo transformation to resemble that of angels and will receive blessings that the ear has never heard and that have not come into the heart of humanity (1 Cor. 2:9).

If you desire, it is your choice to seek My grace. Should you choose to heed My invitation to repentance and amend your ways, I will rescue you from the adversaries devastating your territory; I will grant you tranquility, enabling you to harvest and enjoy the bounty of the crops you have sown and the plants you have cultivated in your gardens.