Isaiah 32:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They began to speak in various languages as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:1-4). Therefore, when the Spirit of God descends upon you faithful followers from the heights, he declares that the barren land will transform into Hermel. Hermel, also known as Carmel, is a prominent mountain in Judea, lush with dense forests, symbolizing Jerusalem and its surroundings filled with countless inhabitants. Yet he proclaims that a desolate area will be referred to as oak wood. This oak wood represents a wild forest, only good for burning, as the untamed trees are cut down to feed the flames. With Hermel reduced and counted among the wild forest, judgment is established in the wilderness. The prophet Isaiah mentions the land of the Gentiles elsewhere, proclaiming, "Rejoice, thirsty wilderness; let the wilderness be glad and blossom like a crocus" (Isaiah 35:1). He refers to it as a desert due to its barrenness and total lack of vegetation; nevertheless, it became spiritually rich and appears abundant in beautiful trees because of Christ's presence. Again, through Isaiah, it is proclaimed: "I will create streams in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert; I will plant cedar, acacia, myrtle, oil tree, cypress, and poplar there" (Isaiah 41:18, 19). These represent souls who have honored faith in Him and cultivated various virtues. Justice shall rest in the wilderness, while righteousness will reside in Carmel, signifying that the righteous inhabit both the wilderness and Carmel. Hermel and Carmel refer to the same mountain under different names. How can it be both a desert and a place of growth, yet host the truth? We affirm that Israel has not completely severed its connection with God; rather, it has been preserved by a remnant of believers, who are now united with believing Gentiles, with Christ—who embodies truth and justice—dwelling among them. Our justification comes through Him, as sin has been abolished and Satan rendered powerless by just judgment. Thus, what Christ—who embodies truth—achieves in the wilderness is made clear: "And there shall be works of righteousness and peace." When our Lord Jesus Christ arrived, as Paul explains, He preached peace to those far off and to those nearby (Eph. 2:17), reaching both Gentiles and Jews. The truth has brought us peace, reconciling us with God and ending hostility, allowing us to dwell in places of rest and eternal joy. We have placed our faith in Him for eternity, residing in the city of peace, which is the church of the living God, where Christ, our peace, abides. We have been enriched, for previously we were lacking in every good and virtue, lost in a world without hope (Eph. 2:12). Through Christ, however, we are now wealthy and will continue to grow in abundance, having received a generous outpouring of gifts from above and from God.

Thus, it is written: The cause of justice is silence. Solomon aptly states: A man who lacks self-control is like a city whose walls are broken down. He also observes: In much speaking, sin is inevitable. The essence of true judgment, when not conveyed with discernment, becomes ineffectual. Indeed, true judgment that criticizes the righteous often undermines itself, and when it is dismissed due to the strength of what it opposes, it loses credibility. Wicked individuals, on their part, cannot bear to hear virtuous words, and in failing to amend their lives, they invite criticism.

Yet the noble Monarch, adhering to his initial resolution amid the triumphs of battle, chose to act not primarily by force of arms but by the gentle strength of truth. In the face of potential new victories, amidst the triumphant shouts of glory, he redirected his gaze to the silent plea of humanity. This extraordinary spirit was evident in the Pious Emperor, and his noble acts have yielded peace characterized by numerous deeds of truth and compassion. The integrity of agreements has been reestablished and injustices against Russia have been resolved through recompense; Christian nations under non-Christian rulers have been faithfully safeguarded. If we look closely, we can discern a secret yet genuine connection between the efforts of the Tsar and the divine righteousness: For the same ruler who, nine years prior, on Easter Sunday, executed the first priest of Christian Greece, this year, on Easter Sunday, was to secure the independence of Christian Greece—an independence that Europe could not achieve through a combined military effort at Navarino or through extensive negotiations, yet the Emperor of Russia attained it effortlessly through peace. Here, Christians have an evident example for the entire world, of the faithfulness and unchanging nature of Divine proclamations: "the works of righteousness bring forth peace," which implies that acts of justice, goodness, and purity, whether through natural means or hidden Providence, lead to peace, success, and prosperity. The truth shall yield peace, that is, genuine virtue, "by the movement of the Spirit from the Highest" (Isaiah 32:15), stimulated and guided by the Spirit from on High, triumphs over all barriers, facilitating peace in public domains and spiritual matters alike. Those who embody this nature "will trust forever," anchored in virtue, goodness, and purity; the flourishing rooted in virtue is secure and enduring. It is not just monarchs who are obliged to engage in warfare to secure a favorable peace. "Is not man’s life upon earth a warfare?"—Job (Job 7:1). Who among us does not encounter some adversary obstructing our peace, be it personal or mental? This foe may not be a king or a nation but rather an unfavorable individual, a thing, or even the absence of a thing—perhaps a troubling thought, desire, or passion. For instance, one may struggle against poverty, striving for abundance through labor or ingenuity, or seeking honor in public service to satisfy ambitious desires that disrupt their peace. Yet often, those unyielding warriors of life overlook the faithful bond between truth and peace, virtue and prosperity, integrity and tranquility. Consequently, they may find truth unappealing, and peace unreliable. They perceive the law as imposing truthful obligations akin to burdensome taxes or exhausting labor with no intrinsic value. They might believe that peace could be more swiftly attained if they abandon the rigorous and narrow path of truth. However, the works of truth are prescribed by the law because they are designed to lead to peace. Blessed peace, lasting prosperity, and true tranquillity can be achieved solely through the pathway of truth. Although it might seem somewhat impertinent to inquire why the Creator made humans moral beings endowed with the capacity to discern good from evil, let us still ponder this matter, not in defiance but in humble search for understanding. Ask yourself: why has God created you for good works, as the Apostolic teaching affirms, "which God prepared beforehand, that you should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10), while condemning evil works with strict decrees under the threat of death? Are these directives necessary for the Creator, or for your own benefit? When considering the commandment "Thou shalt not steal," one might question its necessity for Him who possesses all. No profit is made for God if you refrain from stealing, nor is there a loss if you choose to steal, as nothing can truly be taken from Him. Such commandments are not for the Lawgiver’s benefit, but rather for your own safety; they are meant to safeguard you from theft and ensure that the fruits of righteousness may deliver peace. Similarly, with the prohibition against murder, your own life is protected; honesty is commanded to prevent slander and malice directed at you; and even negative desires and thoughts are discouraged to keep turmoil from your heart and tyranny from your mind. The injunction against idle words and thoughts may seem excessive to some, but would anyone wish to endure an atmosphere filled with minor pests that, while not deadly, disrupt one's peace? The soul can be filled with frivolous thoughts just as one can be surrounded by swarming insects, and if this condition goes unnoticed, it is perhaps due to a lack of familiarity with a healthier inner state. Therefore, one should trust that the purification of the mind, as commanded, prepares one for far greater blessings than can be comprehended. Divine service is mandated, not out of need or desire from God, who has legions of celestial beings serving Him in the highest realms; the commandment exists to enable us to draw nearer to the Most High Being, to illuminate our souls with the light of the eternal Sun, leading us to partake in everlasting bliss. What can be said regarding the "new commandment" (John 13:34), the most exalted and pristine form of the law, the singular and all-encompassing decree of love for God and neighbor? Those who truly sense how directly the truth leads to peace and commandment fulfillment realize that they have undergone the transformation promised by the Prophets (Ezekiel 36:26) and possess a new heart and spirit, rather than remaining bound by a stony, old heart of Adam. Such unyielding hearts may forfeit the freedom and beauty of the law because they resist understanding its true nature, allowing themselves to be enslaved by base desires and the carnal instincts shared with animal and earthly nature. One who prioritizes earthly welfare over truth may assert that adherence to law and righteousness would yield universal goodness if only all would comply. However, when he witnesses truth being overlooked and deceit prevailing, he might grow disillusioned. Years of righteous toil can lead to deprivation while unscrupulous actions yield great wealth. The path of truth indeed presents trials and tribulations, while pleasures flourish along its peripheries. Yet the pursuit of such fleeting gains, grounded in deceit, undermines one's true prosperity. Do not envy the wicked—"Be not envious of the workers of iniquity, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass" (Psalm 37:1-2). Under the reign of a just earthly king, injustice does not thrive indefinitely, and truth does not languish long; how can it be imagined that unjust actions can go unpunished before God’s eternal and holy laws? Is it conceivable that steadfast adherents to these commandments could fail to find their way, albeit through trials, to lasting peace, rest, and joy? Righteous Job ultimately prospered, even as forces both seen and unseen conspired against him; Joseph faced wrongful imprisonment but was eventually exalted to a throne. In fact, Joseph knew peace in prison that his brothers, who were free, could not fathom—the peace of a good conscience, a heart untouched by guilt, and the comfort of heaven’s spirit upon a pure soul, all foretelling the eternal blessings prepared for the righteous. Christian! You have a perfect Leader, a faithful and mighty Helper in your quest for the righteousness that brings peace and the virtue that yields joy. He assures you that even if the works of righteousness lead through death, they ultimately result in life and ascension to glory. Therefore, you must diligently adhere to the teachings passed down to us, even before the dawn of Christianity: "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall grant you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday" (Psalm 37:3-6). Amen. Therefore, let us ascribe glory to God in the highest! Peace in Russia, and through its peacemaking, peace in many nations! What sort of peace? — A peace worthy of the prophetic statement: "In the works of righteousness, there shall be peace, and righteousness shall rest in peace," and thus deserving of the prophetic hope: "And they that trust shall endure through the ages." If the mighty Nicholas was destined, both by fate and name, for victories over nations, and had sought solely personal triumphs, he might have set foot in Adrianople and then in Erzerum. However, the noble Nicholas, resolved at the onset of battle and amid the advancements of arms, remained steadfast in a commitment to act not solely through military might but through the peaceful power of truth. His victories earned him the challenge of conquering the glory that so often ensnares victors, diverting them to paths they do not truly intend. While defeating a fierce adversary is highly esteemed among men, to voluntarily halt in the wake of victories, amid the cheers of glory, directing attention to the quiet cry of humanity, is a magnificent testament to divine influence in human spirit. This celestial goodness has been embodied by our most pious Emperor, yielding peace through numerous acts of truth and kindness. The integrity of agreements has been reaffirmed; grievances against Russia have been settled through just recompense; and the enmity of those who envy Russia has been disarmed by acts of a peacemaker extending compassion to Christian nations under non-Christian rule.