Isaiah 21:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Jerusalem enters this discourse, addressing Babylon: “Do not rejoice over me, O my adversary, because I have fallen; I will rise. For although I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against Him until He pleads my case and executes His judgment: He will bring me into the light, and I shall behold His righteousness. My enemy will witness my vindication; she will be enveloped in turmoil, taunting, ‘Where is the Lord your God?’ My eyes will regard her, and she shall be trampled upon like refuse in the streets” (Micah 7:8-11). This clearly indicates the day when Babylon faced destruction, rendered barren by the Persians, Medians, and Elamites.

The prophet emphasizes the importance of listening to the multitude recounting the long and grim narrative of captivity. He calls upon Uriah to serve as a sentinel for the Lord. Uriah was esteemed as one of the most distinguished priests under the law. The prophet urges that Uriah bear witness to the revelation being communicated to him, gaining insight into what is to come. When those who ignored the prophets demanded false visions, the Sovereign wisely chose the most esteemed among the Jews as witnesses to the truths revealed to the prophetic visionaries, ensuring that if the people would not accept the prophets’ words, they might still heed the validations from those representing the priesthood they revered.

The LXX's use of "Uriah" instead of "lion" creates some confusion, especially since the priest Uriah, referred to in another context, is noted with different letters.

On the Lord’s watchtower, I remain throughout the day and into the night. Behold, a figure approaches, seated in a chariot drawn by two horses, and the herald announces, Babylon has fallen, Babylon has fallen, and all its idols have been cast down to the ground. My threshing floor and the offspring of my threshing floor! What I have received from the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, I have communicated to you. The LXX conveys that the Lord has continually stood watch over the camp throughout the night, declaring the downfall of Babylon and the destruction of its idols, indicating their man-made nature, a reference to the fabrications of those who worship false images.

The prophet, representing the Lord, addresses the people destined to be gathered into His storehouse, threshed through various tribulations to separate the chaff from the pure wheat. What I have conveyed, as influenced by the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, relates to all in the world. Others interpret that the Lord’s face is present here, reflecting what He shared with His apostles: What I have heard from the Father, I have made known to you (John 15:15). The LXX’s phrase, Hear ye that remain and mourn, suggests this is addressed to the apostles, who, like those mentioned in Isaiah, would have perished if the Lord had not preserved a remnant (Isaiah 1:9). Thus, to those left among the Jewish people, who grieve over their nation’s destruction—as Paul expresses his sorrow in Romans (Romans 9:2-3)—I share with you the prophecy of your future as foretold by the God of Israel.

The dual calling exemplified by the two messengers reflects the call to the nations, as the Apostle asks: “Is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles too” (Rom. 3:29). The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, as he testifies to the vision of the horsemen riding in pairs, after which he proclaimed the fall of Babylon and all its idols. Who among us can doubt that on this chariot with two horses, Christ is executing a redemptive invasion? He sees the temple laid waste by the apostolic witness, the idols crumbling, the sound of the animals silenced, and all sacrifices, altars, and the smoke of incense completely vanished forever.