Isaiah 27:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In a moment of denial of belief in Christ, he declares his righteous heritage as a prized grape—a possession that may incite envy—and likens himself to a fierce hailstorm, as if representing Jerusalem, proclaiming an incoming storm of conflict.

The prophet presents the voice of God, uttering, "I will drink it in vain," for, as He conveys, while Israel was designed to be a flourishing vine, akin to Jeremiah's description, it became thorny and rendered itself unteachable by the law. Thus, the gift of the old covenant became futile; even the advent of the gospel would have been of little consequence if it had not been heeded. What, then, will be the outcome? Captivity by night shall precede the fall of the fortress by day. Having deemed the city resilient yet under siege, the logical progression leads to the conclusion that it will indeed be taken, and its walls will collapse. The phrases about captivity in the night and the walls falling by day convey a similar message, emphasizing the city's downfall into desolation—shrouded in darkness for failing to receive Christ, who cautioned, "Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you" (John 12:35). Ignoring His guidance led to their ruin; enveloped in darkness, sin reigned in their hearts. Christ warned, "Amen, I say to you, unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins" (John 8:24). Thus, they remained captive to sin, and the protective walls crumbled, leaving them exposed to spiritual danger.

The blessed Isaiah referenced this in the early verses of his book: "The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are His beloved planting. I looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes." He continues to declare, "But now I will reveal what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will leave it desolate; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and thorns and briars shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it" (Isaiah 5:5-7). How accurate is His assertion that "I will give it water in vain." He ceased to provide spiritual nourishment to the Israelites, dismantling their protection and stronghold. The hedge likely symbolizes angelic assistance, while the wall represents the unyielding defense of divine power; for as it is stated, "The mountains surround Jerusalem, and the Lord surrounds His people" (Psalms 124:2). When it is said, "It fell," this signifies not a relocation but utter devastation, as Israel was left powerless and devoid of divine compassion.

With our minds now strengthened, You will grant us the peace You promised the apostles, saying: My peace I give unto you, my peace I leave unto you (John 14:28). Your repetition underscores the assurance of this promise, reminiscent of the apostle’s exhortation: Rejoice, and the shepherds rejoice (Phil. 4:4). This peace is found in the one spoken of in the book of Leviticus: a man among the children of Israel (Lev. 17), and in the book of Numbers: "the husband, the husband whose wife defiles the bed" (Num. 5:12), signifying that the true man and true husband are endowed with double peace.

The soul possesses its own walls, through which it ascends, affirming: I am a fortified city, a city under siege. It is through these walls that the soul gains strength, and despite being besieged, it stands guard. Indeed, the soul serves as a protective wall within a battleground. This is why it declares in the Song of Songs, I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers (Song of Songs 8:10). The noble wall that the Lord has established, as He proclaims: I have inscribed your walls on My hands; you are ever before Me (Isaiah 49:16).

Hear what the soul of the righteous or the church expresses: I am a fortified city, a city under siege—fortified by Christ, attacked by the adversary. Yet, those who have Christ as their ally need not fear the assault. For they are bolstered by spiritual grace, even as they contend with the trials of this world. Thus, it is also conveyed in the Song of Songs: I am a wall, and my breasts are as towers (Song of Songs 8:10). The wall symbolizes the Church, while its towers represent the priests, who possess both the wisdom of nature and the teachings of morality in abundance.

Due to her failure to embrace the illuminating truth, her defenses will crumble in daylight, signifying that all she believed would protect her will fail, leaving none of her foes without claim over her, which we must comprehend in relation to the opposing powers."