Isaiah 10:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Then, "they that remain shall be numbered," not merely because they can be easily counted as we have discussed, but also because they have been deemed worthy to be included in the count.

In the book of Numbers, we see that children, wives, and the elderly—essentially all those deemed unfit for battle, along with every outsider not belonging to Israel, are excluded from the census. However, "from the age of twenty years and upwards" (Num. 1:3), those who are capable in warfare are counted, as are the firstborn of Israel listed "from the month of one and upwards" (Num. 3:40). Similarly, the Levites are enumerated "from the month of one and upward" (Num. 3:15), and the serving priests "unto fifty years" (Num. 4:3). Yet, who among the youthful would undertake such a task, apart from an elder? No one would contend that this refers to the leaders of the Church, who dwell in unkindness, for they are entrusted by sinners with hidden transgressions known only to Him who examines the hearts of all. Those banished for sin will be documented by Him. He will also record those who have endured the fiery trial and received the cleansing of repentance, their sins extinguished as if consumed by fire.

Moreover, it may be that those who are deemed worthy to be inscribed by the right hand of the Most High are written in the book of life, included among the righteous. It is proper to understand this Writer as one who tallies those who are saved, incorporating them into the assembly of the just, and inscribing the names of those who turn from their wrongful deeds in the annals of heaven. It is said, "As your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). Thus, what child can pen in heaven the names of the adept, except for the One of whom it is stated: "As a child is born to us, a Son, and is given to us" (Is. 9:6)? This is the Child whom the wise men adored (Matt. 2:11), the Child who fled to Egypt and returned to Israel (Matt. 2:13-15, 19-21). Therefore, among the various revelations about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, there exists the notion of the Child, who will inscribe the names of those who come to know God through repentance.

This notion also applies to the heretics—when the brilliance of Church teachings illuminates the truth and exposes their falsehoods, they will face such ruin (Isaiah 10:17-18) that only a handful will emerge from the thicket of unfruitful trees, among the multitude led astray by heretical teachings, to follow the path of righteousness.