Isaiah 29:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Jews, claiming to grasp the profound nature of the law's commands, often recited the directive given to the ancestors, yet evaluated their service to God based solely on this. They failed to adhere to what is revealed in the Scriptures and, by neglecting the will of the Lawgiver, shifted their focus to the teachings and rules of men. In their arrogance, they crafted new and arbitrary traditions, believing themselves to be righteous, but their actions exposed their foolish departure from the love of God. Thus, despite frequently proclaiming the law, they believed they were near to God; however, their lack of effort to live by it led to their being reproached for straying from His presence, as if they were distanced from Him.

Leah, driven by her wish for a multitude of children, took in the offspring of her servant girl. In Scripture, the name of this servant, Zilpah, signifies "the mouth that goes forth." Therefore, this servant represents those who, when it comes to sharing the message of faith, may articulate it outwardly yet lack genuine conviction within. As it is said of some, "This people honours Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me." The apostle addresses such individuals, stating: "Preaching not to steal, you steal; saying, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ you commit adultery" (Romans 2:22).

What is expressed in various ways does not serve as the foundation for our thoughts; rather, it is our innermost beliefs that dictate what we articulate. As it is written: "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). We use words to convey our thoughts rather than the other way around; our speech reveals our inner reflections. The scripture states: "These men draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their tongue, but their heart is far from Me." This signifies that, before God the Judge, who perceives the unspoken yearnings of the heart, the sincerity of the soul toward truth holds greater value than eloquence in speech.

The prophet speaks of those who honored and served God out of a desire for human approval. The Jewish people revered God according to human traditions or the command given by Hezekiah.

The inattentive monk may focus on the sound of ‘Amen’ during prayer, but a genuinely mindful pray-er remains undistracted. Let us guard against the prophet's indictment: ‘These people approach me with their mouths, yet their hearts are distant from me.’ While the brethren stand in worship and bless God, what causes you, monk, to let your thoughts drift elsewhere? Are you unaware that this harms your own spirit? Consider this: if an invitation is extended, do we not strive to be amongst the foremost? If such ambition applies to worldly matters, should it not even more so apply to spiritual pursuits?

And the Lord declared, “This people approaches Me with their words and praises Me with their lips, yet their hearts are distanced from Me. They revere Me based on human commandments and teachings. Therefore, observe, I will astonish this people with a wondrous sign; for the wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the insight of the discerning will be concealed.” This warning was directed at the Pharisees as noted in the Gospel of Matthew, where it states: “Why do you likewise violate the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition” (Matthew 15:3). Furthermore, ‘Hypocrites, Isaiah accurately prophesied about you, saying, “These people draw near to Me with their lips, and honor Me with their mouths; but their hearts are distant from Me.

The depiction of justice continues to be noted and celebrated in the Scriptures: The law of his God is within his heart; he will not be moved (Psalm 36:31). The law of God resides in the hearts of the righteous. Which law? Not one that is codified, but rather one that is inherent: for the law is intended not for the just, but for the transgressor. In the hearts of the righteous, this law dwells, not in a formal sense as it does for the Jews. For through the heart, they come to believe unto righteousness. The one who believes articulates it; yet, the faith of the speaker may not remain steadfast. Concerning those about whom it is said, This people honours Me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from Me.

If He has granted us such grace, it is essential that we, who are alive, no longer offer sacrifices to lifeless idols or prostrate ourselves before them, but instead have come to understand the Father of truth through Him. In light of this revelation, how can our understanding of Him be defined, save for the acknowledgment that we must not deny the one through whom we have gained this knowledge? He Himself states: He who confesses Me before others, I will also confess before My Father (Matthew 10:32). Such is the reward for affirming Him through whom we receive salvation. But how do we declare our faith in Him? By adhering to His teachings, observing His commandments, and honoring Him not just with our words but with our entire heart and mind. He declares in Isaiah, ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.

It is a profound stubbornness and bias to favor human traditions over divine order, neglecting the reality that God feels anger and indignation whenever these traditions transgress and bypass His commandments. The prophet Isaiah articulates this sentiment clearly: "And the Lord said, Because this people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their tongue, but their heart is far from Me, and their reverence for Me is the study of the commandments of men." This warning underscores the futility of placing human teachings above divine truth, leading only to empty practices.

The Gospel reveals to us through the words of the Lord that not everyone who addresses Him with ‘Lord! Lord!’ will be granted entry into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21). What types of proclamations does He refer to? Surely, it aligns with what is stated elsewhere in the Scriptures: This people honors Me with their lips, yet their hearts are far removed from Me (Mk. 7:6). Hence, let us strive to align our lives with the truths we profess, for if our actions resonate with the Lord, supported by a clear conscience and an upright lifestyle, He will listen to our pleas.

God rightly did not show preference for the Jews because their error was not merely temporary but rather a lasting one. When can one expect a person who is perpetually lost to be brought back? Their waywardness was not merely vocal; it stemmed from their hearts, which is the most profound issue, for when the heart falters, the affliction becomes unhealable. This is why God addressed the Jews through the prophet Isaiah: ‘This people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honour Me with their tongue, but their heart is far from Me.’ What causes the heart to stray? It is a lack of understanding of God’s ways, specifically His commandments, which are not so much grasped through study alone but rather through obedience. The prophet thus deemed ignorance as non-observance. True understanding manifests through action. For instance, while many may hear about the sea or view it from a distance, genuine knowledge belongs to those who toil upon its waters.

Certain individuals proclaim, “We are followers of Christ. We place our faith in the Lord and Savior.” However, faith is manifested through actions rather than mere words or spoken declarations; it originates from the heart. Did it not say to us, This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me?

The individuals we reference, namely those who cherish worldly existence, may outwardly profess their admiration for God, yet their actions suggest the opposite. As the prophet states: This people... honours Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. The Holy Spirit implores them: To the sinner God says: ‘Why do you declare My statutes and utter My covenant from your lips?’ (Psalm 49:16), implying that merely glorifying God is of no benefit. Such praise holds value only for those who walk in righteousness; if you extol Him yet continue in sin, it serves you no purpose. Why do you honor Me? Scripture warns: ‘Praise is not pleasing in the mouth of a sinner’ (Sir 15:9). If you lead a life contrary to virtue while professing piety, you do not truly honor God.

This passage illustrates the typical conduct of sinners who, once they have indulged in their basest cravings, express gratitude to God for having attained those desires. These unfortunate souls fail to realize that only righteous longings align with God's will. They may vocalize blessings, but their hearts do not echo the same truth, which leads to much deceitfulness in their words. As Isaiah rightly states, "This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me."

Every being is truly estranged from God, not by physical distance or the passage of time, but solely due to its transgressions. Thus, God declares, "This people honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." In another scripture, He states: "Am I a God near at hand, says the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth?" (Jer. 23:23-24). The beloved psalmist David also affirms, "Behold, those who remove themselves from You perish" (Psalm 72:27).

This parimia expresses a condemnation of the Jews of the prophet's time for their hypocrisy and reliance on superstitions, along with a vision of a hopeful future for those who honor God. The Lord declares: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips; but their hearts are far from Me, and in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” With Hezekiah’s rise, the worship of the true God, which had been neglected during the reign of his father Ahaz, was restored in Judah. The neglected temple of Solomon was reopened, cleansed, and decorated; the offering of sacrifices resumed alongside prayers and hymns inspired by David’s traditions. The people eagerly returned to the temple, abandoning idol worship.