Isaiah 32:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He spoke wisely when he said, “Arise, for wealth leads to great destruction.” Why does he urge, “Rise from your devastation, and heed my voice”? This suggests a readiness to listen. What is it that they are to hear? He states that all the earth shall be corrupted. Why does the prophet refer to the wives as carelessly indulgent, or as some interpreters suggest, fortunate? Another prophet chastised with the words, “They who urge their masters, ‘Serve us, and we will indulge!’” (Am. 4:1). Since they often were a significant factor in their husbands' downfall, the prophet calls them to account. Alternatively, he might be addressing the wives of the nation, as is evident from the subsequent context.

O affluent women, rise and lend an ear to my call; daughters, listen attentively to my words filled with hope: remember the warmth of summer days even in times of affliction. In the Sacred and divinely inspired Scriptures, it is customary to refer to cities or towns as wives, with the principal city being seen as a mother, while the other towns are its daughters, as affirmed by the Divine David regarding Zion or Jerusalem and its neighboring towns: ‘Hear and rejoice in Zion, and rejoice in the daughters of Judah’ (Psalm 96:8). There are always smaller communities surrounding the mother city which reigns over all.

Wealthy women, take heed and listen to my message: daughters, embrace my words filled with expectation. The affluent women and hopeful daughters represent the cities of Judah that were infused with the promise of deliverance.

Following the calling of the Gentiles, when Christ the King reigns in righteousness, and His apostles and those of apostolic faith lead the believers with equity, the prophetic message is directed to the wealthy women. This may refer to either the Jewish cities or the synagogues of that time, or more commonly, to the affluent matriarchs of the Jewish people. They are urged to rise, akin to those who are fallen, and although they are labeled as presumptuous or hopeful, they are commanded to heed the Lord's words and recall the significant days and years that will be discussed later. As proclaimed by the Savior: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor.