Isaiah 19:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, even now, you come here with humility and take your place under what are merely fleeting shadows that have served little purpose for your ancestors. All that was Jewish has been removed; mere knowledge of God, devoid of action, has availed them nothing. Observe, all these are but reflections and symbols through which God intended something greater. Let us endeavor to do what pleases God and pursue salvation, abstaining from seeking any distinctions, whether Jewish or Christian. Nothing holds greater honor than virtue and holy faith, which God yearns for.

Now wise men have arrived, taking steps to escape the tormentor, and the heavens rejoice, revealing their Lord through a guiding star. The Lord, seated upon a radiant cloud of His corporeal form, navigates through Egypt, seemingly sidestepping Herod's deceptions, yet fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah: “In that day,” he proclaimed, “Israel shall be a third with Egypt and Assyria; the blessing shall lie in the midst of the land, which the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed is My people the Egyptians, and the handiwork of My hands the Assyrians, and My inheritance Israel.” What say you, O Jew? Have you, who came first, now become third? The Egyptians and Assyrians take precedence, while the firstborn, Israel, is counted last? Indeed, and justly so. The Assyrians will be counted first, for they were the first to honor Him through the wise men, and the Egyptians follow, for they received Him fleeing from Herod's schemes; but the Israelites are regarded last, for it was only after they crossed the Jordan did they recognize Him through the apostles. He came to Egypt and overturned the idols crafted by human hands, not without purpose, but because He had once marked the homes of Egypt through the death of the firstborn. Thus, He has now arrived as the Firstborn to bring an end to the lamentation caused by ancient suffering.

Consequently, the Creator of all humanity declares, "Bless my people, both those who are in Egypt and those who are in Assyria." Yet, Israel is mentioned third; the prophetic words reveal the reason for this positioning, as he was responsible for the death of the Lord, and he is therefore placed behind the others, as David states, "And in the last was the firstborn."

Then, the Lord will declare, "Blessed be My people in Egypt," as countless multitudes will assemble in the wilderness, not before Moses, but before Christ Himself; after Pharaoh's downfall, they will proclaim, "We will sing to the Lord, for He is magnified; He has hurled horse and rider into the sea" (Ex. 15:1). The work of the Lord's hands will also flourish in Assyria, where these significant nations are sustained by the efforts of devout monks, and Egypt and Mesopotamia engage together in spirited devotion. Yet, the inheritance of Christ remains Israel, encompassing the sites of His birth, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—locations to which people from all corners of the earth will gather.