Isaiah 40:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

11:30); and Paul asserts: For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an everlasting weight of glory (2 Cor. 4:17); and similarly, he states: Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man (Col. 3:9). Just as shedding a garment is simple, so too is it even easier to discard sin. It is evident that righteousness is not intrinsically effortless, yet Christ, through His coming, has rendered it quite attainable, as Paul laments, Who will deliver me from this body of death? (Rom. 7:24); and then, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rom. 8:1). Before Christ’s advent, the strength of virtue resembled dense cedar forests, filled with overgrown thickets, nearly impassable; the prophets and the righteous wept for those dwelling in such difficult places; but after Christ, it has changed. Why does the prophet proclaim, Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low? Let us inquire of the Jews: When did this take place? What mountain was lowered and what valley was raised? This was not declared by Ezra, who documented the return; instead, I contend that it speaks concerning the virtues. The Gentiles never recognized the concept of virginity, as the power of virginity and virtue was perceived as tough, burdensome, and inaccessible; but now it is so simplified and open that even women are encouraged to embark on this royal and secure path; many confidently choose this route, untroubled and fearless, since Christ also invites us to follow Him in what He has achieved. Prepare the way of the Lord. The path He first traveled, He guides us to traverse likewise, imbuing us with the desire and purpose to do the same. Let every debt be settled. No virtue is the hardest, nor is any virtue the easiest; readily pursue them all, and you will grow when you so desire. Inequities will be made straight, and rugged paths will be smoothed. What is meant by straightening? It signifies not only freedom from the hands of oppressors but also liberation from error and from those who distort our virtue into deceit—expressed more clearly by Aquila as ‘crookedness into straightness,’ which corresponds with the Hebrew term ‘agowa,’ meaning crooked, in line with the declaration, And all your children shall be taught by the Lord (Isaiah 54:13). The prophet did not proclaim that the difficult paths shall be destroyed, but instead transformed into easier ones, which signifies profound power, indicating that God alters not the essence of things, but the behaviors and desires of men; to one living in poverty, He reveals that such a state is not burdensome, but even desirable for the sake of holiness. The crooked paths will be rendered straight and the rough paths made smooth. What could be more severe than the loss of all possessions? Yet, even this deprivation was handled with grace and willingness, as the multitude of believers shared one heart and one soul, and no one claimed ownership over their possessions, but had everything in common (Acts 4:32). The apostle reminds us, Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured a great conflict in suffering, sometimes publicly exposed to insults and persecution, and at other times you stood by those who were so treated (Hebrews 10:32-33). What do you mean, Paul? That one would accept the loss of belongings with joy? Indeed, he states, for it is written, The crooked paths will be made straight; and Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles, relays that they left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they were counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name (Acts 5:41). Curves will be straightened, and rough paths smoothed. What is more daunting than threats, what is more agonizing than punishment following those threats? Yet even this has become simple, not because the nature has altered, but because the latter brings forth the former. This exemplifies God’s power, which does not will one thing while bringing about another, but transforms what was crooked into what is straight, so you may understand that evil does not stem from nature, but from freedom, which is often misguided. Thus God will not call forth new bodies for resurrection, but will restore the very bodies that have decayed and turned to dust.

Christ, the Sun of righteousness and true light, is compared to the Baptist, who is like a lamp. The human intellect, even when illuminated by knowledge and wisdom, pales in brightness when set against the divine and unfathomable light of God.

What does it mean to "Prepare the way of the Lord, and make His paths straight"? He clarifies this by stating that every valley shall be lifted, every mountain and hill brought low, and the crooked paths made straight, creating smooth paths. The routes may have been rough—some mountainous and others rocky—requiring arduous climbs or descents into deep ravines. Imagine all high places levelled and all low places filled so that the paths become straight and even without any obstacles. This transformation occurred through the spiritual authority of our Savior. In earlier times, the path leading to a righteous life was inaccessible for humanity, with many minds ensnared in worldly desires and carnal passions. However, when He became flesh as the Scriptures affirm and overcame sin within the flesh, defeating the powers of this world, He paved the way for holiness to be accessible. There are no more bumps or hindrances; instead, the path has been made smooth, rendering all that was once crooked straight.

Moreover, it is proclaimed that the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and "all flesh shall see the salvation of God" (Isaiah 40:5). In what manner will this glory be revealed? He is the only begotten Word of God, uniquely born in the glory of the Godhead, above every rule, authority, and power, and greater than any name, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. He Himself is the Lord of glory, a reality that was unknown to humanity until His incarnation. By becoming man, as prescribed by God's will, He displayed divine power and glory equivalent to that of God the Father, effortlessly performing miracles, commanding creation, restoring life to the dead, and achieving wonders with ease. Thus, the glory of the Lord was manifested, allowing all flesh to witness God's salvation, as the Father sent the Son from heaven to be our Savior and Redeemer.

When the Law proved powerless, and the generational sacrifices could not eradicate sin, we achieved perfection in Christ, being cleansed from all impurity and receiving the adoption of the Spirit. In Him, the grace required for salvation has descended upon all humanity. The term "flesh" refers to mankind. Yet, if some do not attain salvation, this does not negate the prophet's truth; he speaks of God's intention to honor and save us, not the apathy of those called. He emphasizes this point: as the Lord has declared, indicating that he does not express falsehood, personal views, or misconceptions but rather conveys God’s will, prophesying what shall undoubtedly come to pass.

When John clarified that he was none of these, they pressed him further, asking, “Who are you?” He replied, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,’ as stated by the prophet Isaiah.”

It is important to note that the preparation of the Lord’s paths—filled valleys, lowered hills and mountains, and straightened crooked places—along with the revelation of divine glory and our God’s salvation, is proclaimed not in Jerusalem but rather in the wilderness of the Church and among the Gentiles. This wilderness is described in scripture: “Rejoice, O wilderness that is thirsty; let the wilderness rejoice, and let it blossom like a lily.” For it was a place devoid of divine knowledge, dominated by idols, marked by both humility and pride, and sealed in its wildness. Yet, when the glory of the Lord was manifested and all flesh beheld the salvation of God, transformation occurred, and the paths were made ready. His glory shone in the wilderness when the Lord was baptized in the Jordan, and the heavens opened up. The Holy Spirit descended like a dove and remained upon Him, while the voice of the Father proclaimed from heaven, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

All flesh has seen the salvation of God. This is referred to as flesh, for it did not possess the Holy Spirit prior. The Lord noted, “My Spirit shall not strive with man, for he is flesh.” Yet, of this very flesh, He declared through the prophet Joel, “I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, and they shall see the salvation of God.” This message was not only articulated by John, the forerunner of the Word of God—rightly named the voice—but continues to be proclaimed today among the Gentile nations by the church’s teachers. They cry out for us to straighten the paths in our hearts, to be filled with virtues, and cultivated in humility, so that we may transform the crooked into straight, the harsh into gentle, and thereby be made worthy to behold the glory of the Lord and experience the salvation of God.

They will hear Christ calling in the Gospel: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Mt 11:28). By casting aside the weight of sin, they can fully appreciate the truth that His yoke is kind, and His burden is light (Mt 11:30). Thus, the path of the Lord offers solace to those who choose to walk according to His teachings.