Isaiah 37:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They cast their idols into the flames. Why? Because they were not deities, but mere creations of human craftsmanship. In this way, God's might is revealed all around, not only through His people but also from those outside, for they were demons rather than true gods.

I heard the voice of the outsider proclaiming that the deities of the nations have failed to rescue anyone from my grasp. If someone had spoken these words, I would commend such a person and hold their statement to be true. For the Assyrians overran the entire land and set the cities ablaze, while the false gods offered no aid, being powerless to save anyone. How could they possibly provide help, made as they are from wood and stone, mere creations of the craftsman’s hand? Thus, they and their worshippers faced demise. But You, O Lord, deliver us! This will serve as undeniable evidence, convincing all celestial beings that unwavering faith in You as the one true God is essential.

In response to the blasphemies of King Sennacherib, Hezekiah resorted to his accustomed means of defense. He returned to the temple to lay out his letters before the Lord. Previously, he had remained silent, hesitating to speak in the temple due to his reverence for God, which hindered his ability to express his prayers openly. However, after hearing Isaiah’s message: “Fear not the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria reviled me” (1 Kings 19:6), he approached the Lord with confidence. He proclaimed that the Lord is the only true God, emphasizing that idols are mere representations of the dead.