Isaiah 22:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

All the prominent members of his father’s household will place their trust in him, from the least to the greatest, relying on him in that day. This account does not stray from reality, for it is still aimed at Somnan, the steward, who abused the sacred office of the priesthood and became a greedy oppressor, committing various wrongs without remorse. Consequently, after he is removed—that is, taken away to a vast and uncharted land—my servant Eliakim, the son of Helkiah, will be called. By identifying him as his servant, it is a testament to his obedience. The promise of the priestly glory indicated that he would be crowned and entrusted with a vesture, a household, and the authority to govern his people. Furthermore, he will be a man of virtue, humble and loving, in contrast to Somnan, embodying the traits of a faithful father. Thus, he shall be established in a place of fidelity, securely positioned so that every esteemed and honorable individual will place their hope in him—not as they would in God, for he falls short of that—but as one would trust a loving father. He will safeguard and watch over the small and great alike, becoming so beloved that his people will metaphorically cling to him. This narrative, as mentioned, also serves as a historical account, yet it also beckons us to glimpse the deeper truth reflected in the mystery of Christ. The scribes and Pharisees, adorned with the priesthood under the law, were disobedient, cruel, and arrogant, consumed with greed, honoring only the affluent, and committing abominable acts in the sight of God. As the prophet Isaiah proclaims at the beginning of his book: How has the faithful city, Zion, that was full of justice, become a harlot? Righteousness used to reside in her but now murderers do; your silver is of little worth, your merchants mix wine with water; your rulers are unrepentant, seeking bribes, and failing to provide justice for the orphans and disregarding the plight of the widows (Isaiah 1:21-23). The Savior Himself rebukes them, proclaiming woe upon the scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for they have forsaken justice, mercy, and faith, neglecting the weightier matters of the law (Matthew 23:23), becoming even more wicked and murderous. For this reason, they were stripped of their priestly honors, removed from their authority over the people, excluded from the building of the law entrusted to them, and deprived of the sacred garments and crowns befitting their office. Following this, our Lord Jesus Christ, the great high priest, was called; as the blessed Paul emphasizes, no one takes this honor upon themselves, but only the one called by God. Christ did not glorify Himself to become high priest, but was appointed, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:4-6). Being both God and Lord of all by His very nature, and deserving of all service, yet when He became man, He assumed the role of our high priest. It is said of Him that He received David’s glory, meaning the rule and kingship over Israel. However, we do not refer to Israel merely in a physical sense, but rather as spiritual and faithful Israel: not everyone descended from Israel is truly of Israel, nor are all of Abraham's descendants considered his children (Romans 9:6-7); only those justified by faith, who follow in Abraham’s footsteps, are truly recognized as his children, called the children of promise and Israel. When Christ, our common shepherd, was revealed, then there would be no opposer against Him; the enemy will not succeed and the son of iniquity will not grasp hold of Him (Psalm 88:23). This can also be understood from another perspective: while Israel resisted Him, the Gentiles willingly submitted to His authority. Therefore, we encounter Him, speaking through David, saying, “Deliver me from the strife of men; set me as the general of people; those who lead are not driven by them, but work for me; the sons of strangers have lied against me, yet they have vowed and have become fearful of their paths” (Psalm 17:44-46). The sons, having turned to strangers, refer to the Israelites—once the firstborn among nations—who, upon rejecting Christ, alienated themselves from Him and became known as the children of destruction. However, when it is declared: I will raise up Eliakim (meaning “God has raised”), as He has risen to assist us, saying, I will rescue the distressed and heed the cry of the needy, then it is said, all who are glorious shall place their trust in the household of their Father. What other household of the Father of Christ could this signify but the Church? Thus, those who are esteemed therein will place their faith in Christ, not just those held in high regard by the world, but even those deemed insignificant; for the just and impartial God rewards everyone according to their spiritual maturity, because in spiritual terms, some are fathers, while others are mere children, youths, and young men.