Isaiah 24:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He proclaimed: "And the Lord of hosts called that day weeping and lamentation, and baldness and girding themselves in sackcloth; but they made joy and gladness, slaughtering calves and eating sheep, saying, 'Let us eat and drink, for in the morning we shall die'" (Isaiah 22:12-13). Additionally, another prophet declares, "They that lie upon beds of ivory, and strum with the strings of instruments, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calfs out of the midst of the stall... they drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments, but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph" (Amos 6:4, 6). Having thus descended into deep immorality, they indulged in premature luxury, when they should have been watering their hands with unrestrained tears and seeking forgiveness for their sins. Consequently, the disaster of war rightfully befell them, and those who once reveled in luxury faced unforeseen calamities. The grapes lament, not the vine itself, but those who partake of its fruits: those who once delighted their souls will now mourn, and lamentation will become their daily burden, for the joyous sounds of tambourines have ceased, and the pride and wealth of the wicked have come to an end. Excessive pride is what he refers to as arrogance. This pride and the outcome of riches will turn bitter for those who once enjoyed luxury; the cities and homes lie desolate, for all earthly joy has come to an end. Yet, if anyone can perceive the ultimate conclusion of this age, when the time of judgement arrives, he will realize that all worldly indulgences will fade away; instead, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for those condemned to hell. Riches will profit those who acquired them not at all; all pleasure will vanish, and all physical desires will cease. The sensuality, once longed for, will lead to a bitter conclusion for those surrendered to sin; for they must give an account to the Ruler of all, as the wise Paul writes: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10).

Consequently, when the resurrection of the righteous occurs, and the day of judgment arrives, the hearts of the vineyard will mourn, as Moses states, ‘Of the grapes of Sodom are their grapes, and their rod of Gomorrah: their cluster is a cluster of gall, a cluster of their woe. The fury of serpents is their wine, and the fury of asps is unhealed’ (Deuteronomy 32:33). Their mirth will turn to bitterness, and every kind of intoxication, which clouds one’s judgment and obstructs awakening, will be exchanged for a drink far more bitter than bile. The joyful songs of the celebrants and the sound of musical instruments will be replaced by lamentation and sorrow.

This message serves as a reminder to those who indulge at banquets, partaking not only of sweet wines and intoxication but also of sensory delights that weaken the soul. The city of falsehood will crumble; every abode will be shut tight, and no one will enter. The ruins of vanity will be evident, pointing to the spiritual Babylon, sitting in splendor upon seven hills, whose impending judgments we read about in the Revelation of John (Rev. 18). How fitting it is to label it the city of emptiness, for if all creation is deemed vanity, as it is stated, ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity’ (Eccl. 1:2), how much more so can this be applied to a single city that constitutes only a small fraction of the world?

The homes adorned with gold and marble, whose walls shine with intricate ivory, will cry out for wine in the streets, as happiness will flee and the joy of the land will vanish. As the impoverished perish from the cold, these opulent residences will stand abandoned. There will be mourning in the streets for wine—not along the narrow path that leads to life, but on the wide road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7). The intoxication and delusion of those who are spiritually asleep leave the affluent empty-handed (Ps. 75:6). The city will be left desolate, and anguish will weigh heavily on its gates; for the joy of the earth has now ascended to heaven, leaving behind desolation in what was once a renowned city. The bustling thoroughfares that once welcomed many will be shrouded in the despair of its inhabitants. Thus, the total ruin of the world is proclaimed for all to see.