Isaiah 15:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Should anyone not align with this sentiment, but rather immerse himself in his own transgressions, let him weep for himself, akin to a man defeated by an adversary in battle. His sorrow can uplift him through wise instruction, bringing him to awareness. Just as burning and painful remedies cleanse wounds, purging foulness and creating opportunity for healing, so too I believe that the call to “weep for yourself” is significant for those who hold their own wisdom in high regard. Such are the leaders of false teachings, who perish in darkness, for everyone who engages in evil detests the light and refrains from approaching it (John 3:20). Those trapped in night will also face their demise within it: their walls, symbols of misguided understanding that they believed would provide safety, will crumble. For dialectic, as a wall, protects the erroneous doctrines of falsehood. When this structure falls, such captives must grieve. Let them therefore mourn for themselves for they have met their end. The city of Dibon, housing your temple, also stands condemned to destruction. However, we comprehend the meaning of Dibon through its interpretation. Thus, as the truth remains firm and steadfast, established on a solid foundation, those grounded in faith are likened to a man who builds his foundation upon a rock (cf. Matthew 7:24). It is said that the manna resembled frost upon the ground (Ex. 16:14); the Word of God, depicted as icy, signifies consistency and strength, in contrast to opposing doctrines, which are fluid and unstable, unable to stand firm, as the father of lies does not abide in truth (cf. John 8:44). Consequently, the ephemerality of falsehood is likened to flowing water. Let those who construct such unstable teachings lament, as they cling to notions of God that are unreliable. This is the altar condemned to the destruction of Dibon, where the crib is established. Hence, you shall ascend weeping, not to offer sacrifices, but to repent for that which you once prayed, leading to your own harm, since prayer has become sin. For whoever serves the creation rather than the Creator, failing to worship the Father through the Son, and presents praise on foreign altars, should grieve profoundly for the God who offers salvation without repentance (cf. 2 Cor. 7:10)! This admonition does not apply solely to those who have embraced heretical beliefs about God, but to all who trust in transient things, disregarding the words: “Riches are fleeting; do not set your heart upon them” (Ps. 61:11), while pursuing fleshly glory, which is but a fading flower of grass (cf. Is. 40:6). This reflects the allure of flesh and blood that the wicked woman values, portrayed in the parable as a jewel in the snout of a pig (cf.: Proverbs 11:22). Universally, it is appropriate to designate all who are misled as Dibon, so that those living in error may clearly recognize their tribulation. Thus, let those who once esteemed it mourn. The prophet calls upon those misguided by human fancies to sorrow for God and urges a lament for the land plagued by false teachers. For them, the term Nabab is apt, as it signifies those who sit idly. These individuals, seated with deceptive beliefs, corrupt good morals through their wicked words (cf. 1 Cor. 15:33). Therefore, those who have adopted their malevolent doctrines must repent and mourn over the teachings they once revered. This is the essence of the call to weep. Deny such teachers, extricate yourselves from their adornments, and through virtuous statutes dismantle their flawed teachings, exposing the depths of their misguided principles by the truth that brings clarity, like severing unfavorable practices through critical examination.

So let Dibon ascend to the heights of mourning. In the LXX, it urges the people to weep for themselves, for Dibon faces destruction where the altar is located. The houses of misguided wisdom, including Dibon, rise with pride, not to offer sacrifices but to mourn their past transgressions. Indeed, lies flow like a river but cannot endure. In contrast, the word of God is steadfast and eternal, similar to the manna that appeared as frost yet remained upon the earth. Furthermore, the Moabites are urged to mourn not for others, which belongs to the perfected, but for themselves, as Dibon symbolizes their beautiful speech, once abundant like a flowing stream, which they regarded as an altar of worldly abundance. The Psalms also remind us, "If riches flow, apply not your heart to them." The first step toward salvation is to recognize one's sins and to grieve for them.