Isaiah 32:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They saw divided tongues as of fire, resting upon each of them, and they began to speak in different languages as the Spirit enabled them.

Thus, when the Spirit of God descends upon you, dear believers, it is said that the barren land will resemble Hermel. Hermel, or Carmel, refers to a significant mountain in Judea, adorned with thick forests. In this way, Mount Hermel symbolizes Jerusalem and the surrounding areas, teeming with inhabitants. However, there shall be a wilderness termed the oak wood—a wild forest, deemed suitable merely for burning, as the wild trees are cut down to feed the flames. After Hermel is diminished and categorized as a wild forest, judgment falls upon the wilderness. The prophet Isaiah refers to the land of the Gentiles elsewhere, proclaiming a message of joy for the thirsty wilderness: ‘Rejoice thirsty wilderness, let the wilderness be glad, and let it blossom like a crin.’ This comparison to a desert highlights desolation and total lack of vegetation. Nevertheless, it flourished spiritually, abundant with beautiful trees due to the presence of Christ.

Again, through Isaiah, it is declared: ‘And I will create water in the wilderness, I will put rivers in the waterless land, cedar, and tumbleweed, and myrsina, and cypress, and poplar.’ This signifies those who have glorified their faith in Him and have ascended to the peak of diverse virtues. Judgment shall rest in the wilderness, while righteousness will inhabit Carmel; instead of merely stating that goodness shall dwell in both wilderness and Carmel. Hermel and Carmel are not distinct; they refer to the same mountain under two names. Therefore, how can it be described as both a desert and an oak forest, yet still be inhabited by truth?

We affirm that Israel has not completely severed its bond with God, as a remnant remains, those who believe among them, uniting with the faithful Gentiles. Among this collective, Christ—who embodies truth and justice—makes His home. We are justified in Him, following the divine judgment that abolished sin and rendered Satan powerless. Consequently, what Christ, the embodiment of truth, achieves in the wilderness is made evident: there shall be acts of righteousness and peace. When our Lord Jesus Christ arrived, as Paul writes, He preached peace to those far away and to those near, encompassing both Gentiles and Jews. Thus, truth has secured rest for us, as we have been reconciled to God and have put an end to hostility, allowing us to dwell in cities of refuge and everlasting joy.

We have placed our trust in Him for eternity and reside in the city of peace, which is the church of the living God, where Christ, who is peace Himself, abides. We have found rest with abundance; previously, we were lacking every good thing and virtue, ungodly in this world and devoid of hope. Yet, through Christ, we now possess wealth and will continue to receive even greater blessings, having been granted rich and ample provisions from above and from God.