Isaiah 11:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

We shall not only be distanced from wrongdoing, but will also find ourselves empowered to withstand the ill will of others. How will this come to pass? The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the seas. This transformation occurs through God's knowledge, renewing not just us but the entire world. Do not assume that when the prophet proclaims the earth's fullness with the knowledge of God, he only refers to Palestine. The prophetic language of this passage allows for no limitation; indeed, it contradicts such a notion. The prophet specifically mentions "seas," implying a vast and diverse abundance, not just a singular body of water. So, how can the righteous deeds or godliness of Christians be recognized? Is there not conflict and legal disputes among our fellow believers? They harbor envy toward one another, contest for power, seek glory, and engage in vengeance. Do you not witness leaders within the Christian community acting destructively? Ultimately, how have these words manifested among believers, or how has the earth been filled with the knowledge of the Lord? Why have numerous nations, upon hearing the Christian message, failed to abandon their savage ways? They demand to witness these so-called good laws. To voice such concerns, it seems to me, is to utter empty lamentations and misconceptions—to search for unrealized prophecies and insincere claims. It may appear that we cannot affirm what is true. But fear not! By the grace of God, when we explore these truths, we will communicate all that the Spirit enables us to declare, as we strive earnestly for His glory. Consider how many conflicts have ceased. Was not nature divided against itself? Did they not worship inanimate objects and pour out blood upon altars? Were they not worse than wolves? Wolves exhibit care and compassion toward their young, while people, instead of embracing the mercy dictated by nature, displayed cruelty. Why should we demonstrate this using the Gentiles as our basis? Hear the prophet declare: they sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons (Psalms 105:37). Recall the account wherein King Amon, in the face of war, offered his son as a burnt sacrifice (4 Sam. 3:27). Is this not a grave manifestation of cruelty? Why do we not see this occurring now, not even among pagans? Children today live openly with their parents, receiving their care and love. Once, fathers treated their sons as executioners, but now they nourish them with compassion, life, and honor. Would you like to comprehend how a child can safely play near the adder’s den and reach out to the serpent’s nest without harm? This is vividly illustrated in the lives of Christians. Though they faced wild beasts during their martyrdom, their formidable strength could not touch them, and even infants emerged victorious; some relinquished their possessions, others distributed their wealth. Don’t you notice the many hospitals established for the ailing, the support extended to orphans, and the care provided for widows? There’s no need to recount all these tangible blessings. Enter the church, and you will witness firsthand the benevolent acts being done; those who criticize us will acknowledge that within the church, the poor and the rich, the noble and the servants, are all treated with equality. Do you not see them united in the sharing of the same meal? Yet, it may be difficult for you to grasp. How can the lynxes lie peacefully with the goats, or the fierce warrior with the meek? If not everyone embraced virtue fully, that is understandable; yet it is remarkable that some surrendered completely to many virtues while others, though not perfected, renounced their vicious ways. But when was the earth completely filled with the governance of the Lord? When their words spread across the entire earth (Psalms 18:5).

The Jews, under the discipline of the law, cultivated a life pleasing to God, while those who worshiped lifeless idols, lacking the law, were led by violent impulses: they were wild and predatory, enslaved by their lusts, exhibiting loathsome traits such that one could compare a man to a wolf and another to a lynx, their souls marred by a multitude of passions. Another, driven by insatiable desires, would seize by force what was not rightfully his, living as a predator. However, after receiving Christ's transformative call to a gentle and holy way of living, they abandoned their innate savagery and came to embrace a life marked by humility. They believed in Christ, who invites us, saying, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29). In this way, their faith in Him enabled them to shed their past cruelty, leading them to a life characterized by grace and gentleness in communion with the saints. For they are referred to as fellow heirs with the saints and members of God’s household (Eph. 2:19). This prophetic truth, I believe, is echoed through various expressions in scripture, declaring that the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the goat; this signifies that through Christ, the fierce will dwell in peace with the meek, and what is profane will coexist with the sacred and holy. The children of Israel, having been trained by the law in good character, were characterized by a tranquility akin to that of sheep or goats—both animals being pure and gentle by nature—while the wolf and the lynx are inherently feral and stand apart from the domestic realm.

Yet, in Christ, this reconciliation has occurred, uniting Jews and Gentiles in shared sustenance, which is the Gospel and apostolic teaching, under the guidance of one Chief Shepherd, who provides nourishment as the prophet foretold, tending His flock in a rich pasture (Ezekiel 34:14). Furthermore, it is said that the calf, the youth, and the lion will all graze together. The calf symbolizes the emerging and youthful believers, akin to spiritual infants, while the mature Israelite might be represented by the heifer, denoting a longer-standing faith, or perhaps indicating one who excels in knowledge and virtue; this conveys the idea that the less seasoned shall participate alongside the experienced, as highlighted in the Psalm (Ps. 113:21; Ps. 148:12). Similarly, the Apostle John recognizes the stages of spiritual maturity when he writes to fathers, young men, and children (1 John 2:13, 14), drawing parallels between mental growth and physical age. He asserts that the calf, youth, and lion will feed in unity, thus juxtaposing the lion with the calf to suggest those justified in faith, who are unified under Christ, our Saviour. Through Him, not only the righteous and gentle, those who adhere to the law, but even the wild nations, the Gentiles, are brought into harmonious fellowship, sharing in blessings that extend to their descendants. The peace of Christ and the unity fostered by faith continues to thrive among us today.

This concept illustrates that together their offspring shall flourish, with the lion acting as less predatory than its nature suggests. Notice that it is not the docile who acclimate to the rough diet of the wild, but rather the wild that adopts the softer food of the meek. Although the lion and bear are carnivorous, while the ox and calf are herbivorous, the latter will drive away from their standard habits and embrace the sustenance that nourishes the gentle, suggesting that this food symbolizes the teaching of Christ. It is critical to recognize that before coming to faith in Christ, the Gentiles were misled by false teachers, who promoted a doctrine of destruction, leading them away from truth. However, upon being drawn to the true knowledge of God, they repudiated the erroneous teachings and, alongside the Jews, embraced the life-giving instructions of the Gospel. Even the young, he indicates, will be guided, as they will be under the care of wise and loving mentors, whose guidance is rooted in sincerity rather than malice (1 Cor. 14:20; cf. Eph. 5:15). These individuals, possessing the divine treasures within humble vessels (2 Cor. 4:7), maintain hearts free from corruption and are adequately nurturing towards spiritual novices. Such individuals are deemed worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven; for Jesus proclaimed, "Suffer little children, and do not hinder them from coming to Me, for to such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt. 19:14). Furthermore, they shall be endowed with exceptional discernment, invulnerable to fear, as evidenced by the prophecy: "And the young shall put their hands on the vipers' nests, and upon the dwelling places of the wicked; they shall do no harm, nor will they destroy anyone on My holy mountain." The nests and shelters of reptiles symbolize clusters of evil and the strongholds of heretics—not to be called churches—where indeed, the innocent in Christ prevail without harm; for Christ is their protector, nullifying the venomous power of heretics and rendering their poison ineffectual, as it is declared that they cannot harm anyone within His holy mountain. This Church is referred to as the holy mountain due to its elevation in glory and the depth of its teachings. We do not equate the Creator with creation, nor deny the full glory due to the Lord, who is the eternal Word of God. "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." And in this truth, we can observe that across the earth, Christ is proclaimed—whenever or wherever one may look, His name is acknowledged. Every knee shall bow to Him, and every tongue shall profess His lordship, as written (Phil. 2:10, 11; cf. Rom. 14:11), declaring that Jesus Christ embodies the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11).

Should we interpret the land afflicted by the word of God and the wicked destroyed by the spirit of His mouth as mere literal events? They must also enlighten us on how the Lord's waist is adorned with incorporeal concepts—truth and righteousness. Furthermore, is it fitting for the majesty of God that a wolf grazes alongside a lamb, a leopard lies next to a goat, or a lion consumes straw while a small child reaches into the den of a serpent? Unless, perhaps, they intend to present us with a poetic vision reminiscent of the golden age, where wolves and sheep coexist, rivers flow with delightful wine, trees drip with the sweetest honey, and springs overflow with milk. If their answer suggests that in blessed times all these joys will be available, allowing all to partake without malice, they must hear from us that goodness resides solely in virtue, as articulated by the Psalmist: ‘Who is a man that desireth life, that loveth the days to see good things; keep thy tongue from evil, and thy mouth from speaking flattery. Turn away from evil, and do good’ (Psalm 34:12-14). Riches, physical health, and abundance, as well as their opposites—poverty, sickness, and destitution—are not categorized as good or evil, but rather deemed indifferent. Hence, the Stoics, who share many philosophical views with our teachings, proclaim that only virtue is good, and only vice is evil.

We present these thoughts to demonstrate that our Judaizers are immersed in a profound delusion. Yet, through the life-giving Spirit, understanding becomes accessible. The wolf represents Paul, who once persecuted and afflicted the Church, echoing the proclamation that Benjamin is a ravenous wolf lying with the lamb—or in harmony with Ananias, who baptized him (Gen. 49:27; Acts 9)—or with the Apostle Peter, to whom it was commanded, Feed my sheep (John 21). The leopard, who initially retained his spotted appearance, transforms with the goat—not with that which is untouched, but with that which involves the sacrificial Passover lamb. It is crucial to note that it is not the lamb and the goat living alongside the wolf and the leopard, but rather the latter will mimic the innocence of the former. The fiercest creature, the lion, along with the sheep and the calf, will coexist harmoniously. This scenario mirrors what we observe in the Church today, where the rich and poor, powerful and humble, kings and commoners exist side by side, all guided by children—referring to the apostles and their successors—who, although may lack eloquence, possess profound wisdom. When united by the teachings of the Lord, their families will also come together, culminating in the fulfillment that their young will lie down peacefully. The lion will not seek meat but rather simple fare. It is noteworthy that it is not the ox consuming meat, but rather the lion partaking of straw. We can understand that by "straw," Scripture refers to the straightforward words, whereas "wheat" denotes the deeper meaning expressed in the text. Often, many find nourishment in the simple reading of Scripture, lacking knowledge of its hidden mysteries. The child, representing naive wickedness, reaches into the snake's den, symbolizing the expulsion of demons from those afflicted. The mature believer does not dwell on the milk of infancy but consumes solid food. He reaches for the lair of the basilisk, i.e., the very residence of Satan, delivering captives from there. Thus, the apostles received the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and all the power of the enemy (Luke 10). Poisonous creatures will not harm those dwelling in God's holy mountain, signifying the Church—of which the Gospel states, ‘The city set on a hill cannot be hidden’ (Matt. 5:14). To prevent the misunderstanding that this refers to Mount Zion, the subsequent verse elucidates the mysteries of the Gospel: the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the depths of the sea. Just as ocean waters envelop the seabed, the entirety of the earth shall be saturated with the knowledge of the Lord. The blessed Apostle Peter corroborates this vision of diversity united in one vessel from heaven, representing the world’s four directions—containing quadrupeds, wild animals, creeping things, and birds—thus, the Church serves as an analogue to the ark during the time of the flood.

The Septuagint states: And I will make a covenant for them in that day with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of the air, and with the creeping things of the earth; and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and warfare from the earth, allowing them to live in safety (Hos. 2:18). When all the names of opposing faiths are eliminated from among those who confess the Lord, and they will call Me, ‘my husband,’ rather than ‘my idol,’ then I shall establish a covenant and grant peace with the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and the creeping things of the earth. In this context, Isaiah proclaims: the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the kid goat, the calf, the young lion, and the ox will be united, while a little child will guide them. The cow shall graze alongside the bear, their young will rest together, and the lion, like the ox, will consume straw, desiring neither flesh nor blood, but preferring pure and simple nourishment. When Peter was shown that he should accept Cornelius, a Gentile, he learned not to call anything unclean that had received God’s blessing, hearing, ‘What God has cleansed, you shall not regard as unclean’ (Acts 10:15). Therefore, upon the Lord’s coming, after His victorious resurrection and ascension to the Father, the two previously divided walls will unite through the cornerstone, by Him who creates unity from division. The one once deemed beyond redemption is called forgiven, and the one recognized as not being His people is now called His people. When all is reconciled, the bow, sword, and warfare will cease, for there will no longer be a need for instruments of conflict in the absence of strife. Israel will merge with the Gentiles, fulfilling the words of Deuteronomy: Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people (Deut. 32:43), for God reigns in Judah; Israel is greatly esteemed (Psalm 75:2).

Thus, it is stated: 'And in that day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a banner for the people; the nations shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious' (Isaiah 11:10). Jesse was the father of David, and a covenant was sworn to David concerning this promise. The prophet would not refer to Christ, the Lord, as the rod 'out of the root of Jesse' had he acknowledged him merely as God. The prophet also anticipated the transformation of creation: 'For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea' (Isaiah 11:9).

Peace reigned among them, and humans coexisted peacefully with all animals, unafraid of lions or snakes, for the ferocity of lions had not yet manifested, and serpents bore no venom.

Some propose that this prophecy should be interpreted literally, suggesting that animals will return to the harmonious relationships they had with humans prior to mankind’s fall. The brutality and savagery of many animals, along with humanity’s diminished dominion over them, resulted from the earth’s curse due to human transgressions (Genesis 3:17). This curse affected the earth's soil, bringing infertility, as well as impacting the quality of its vegetation: cursed, they became significantly less nourishing and beneficial not only for mankind but also for animals. Consequently, many animals, consuming the meager yield of the cursed ground, which was insufficient for their strength and vitality, eventually turned predatory.

It is believed that this condition will persist until the holiness of Christ's faith envelops the earth, and humanity aligns with God’s will as fully as the angels do in heaven. Such a transformation in humankind’s moral landscape will also be mirrored in the animal realm. The curse of the earth will lose its grip, along with its ramifications, including animal ferocity; instead, tranquility and contentment will prevail among the creatures, and man’s dominion over them will be restored to its original state. This prophetic understanding is held by Jewish and some Christian interpreters as literal; however, it is limited without considering the following verse 9. The phrase "They shall do no harm, neither shall they be able to destroy any man in my holy mountain" cannot be understood to refer to animals in a straightforward sense, as it would imply they had previously been capable of harming humans in a sacred space of true worship, whether that is viewed strictly or as the Church of God in general.

Thus, the prophecy regarding the transformation of the animal kingdom is better interpreted allegorically; the wild beasts — the wolf, lynx, lion, bear, and serpent — symbolize individuals whose behaviors are beastly. Until they integrate into the community of gentle and faithful Christians, who adhere to the Gospel, resembling how domestic animals (the lamb, goat, calf, and ox) are gentle and obedient to their shepherd, these individuals will embody a disconnect. Upon joining the Christian fellowship, they will transform, living peacefully and in unity, forming a singular flock under the guidance of shepherds who heed the one true Shepherd, Christ. All will nurture their souls with the singular sustenance of faith.