Isaiah 33:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet, each of these rivers and streams receives the One Most High, namely Christ, of whom it is said, "the rivers make the hail of God glad" (Psalm 45:5). Christ Himself, through the prophet, speaks to His worshippers: "Behold, I divert upon you like a river of peace, and like a flooding stream, the glory of tongues" (Isaiah 66:12).

You shall not traverse this way; lower shall descend the vessel that sails: my God is great; the Lord our judge, the Lord our prince, the Lord our king, the Lord who will save us. The discourse then returns to those who have believed. As the prophet has mentioned rivers and streams, it is fitting to reference a ship. Therefore, I shall clarify what is revealed. Prior to the arrival of our Savior, Satan laid waste to the world without opposition. However, after we were redeemed by Christ and residing in the sacred sanctuary, which is the Church, delighting in the Gospel and Apostolic teachings, we have confidently opposed him who once had the authority to plunder. Trusting that Christ will protect our hearts, preventing the deceiver from infiltrating them, we declare to Satan: "You shall not go this way; lower shall go the ship that floats," meaning we will no longer be vulnerable to your theft; in these rivers, you shall not navigate as a ship.

One might question: Why do you assert these things? The answer is, we have justification to be bold; my God is great and will not overlook me, signifying that Satan will no longer pass through me as he once did. I will not bow before him, for the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our prince, the Lord is our king, the Lord will deliver us. Once, that rebellious and unchecked one was our prince. Yet, having taken on the yoke of the Gospel and salvation, we now possess the Son of God as judge, prince, king, and Lord, and He will redeem us. The prophet Isaiah further instructs this, speaking of the Church of God and those justified by faith in Christ: "The way shall be pure, and the way shall be called holy, and the way shall not be unclean. And there shall not be a lion therein, neither shall any one of the wicked beasts go up therein, but they that are delivered by the Lord shall walk therein" (Isaiah 35:8-10).

The righteous, to whom it was previously declared, "Your heart shall be taught in reverence, and you shall not behold a foolish people," will behold a king in his splendor! Behold Zion, our victorious city, look upon the Church of Christ, where genuine victory resides; your eyes will see a revelation of the universe and unexpected treasures that no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor has entered the heart of man, along with an unshakable sanctuary. The tabernacle of Judah was once movable and destroyed; however, its stakes will endure forever, and all its cords will remain strong, as the Lord dwells within it—a source for all flowing rivers and streams, which no man on the opposite side will navigate, nor will the great ship, emblematic of evil, manage to cross: for the Lord is our judge, our ruler, our king, and our Savior, under whose protection we fearlessly withstand any threats. This speaks of Zion, our victory city, and of Jerusalem, a dwelling exceedingly rich, which the Lord will surround and fortify with His rivers. The earthly Jerusalem, however, is described as having its tabernacle cords slackened and unable to support its curtains, with its mast, once adorned with beautiful sails, fallen due to the frayed cords, rendering it unfit for sailing or raising a banner. Yet, once their ship is wrecked and the sanctuary is dismantled, such that the ropes are torn on both sides, the victors will share the plunder, even those who are described as weak, likened to the lame; yet, empowered by divine grace, they will feel no fatigue, nor will they proclaim, "I am weary." For anyone among them will have iniquity and transgression removed, as they have fulfilled the will of God.