Isaiah 42:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They were fortified by the Lord of hosts, who halted the sun and moon over Gibeon, sent hail from the heavens against their adversaries, and elevated His people to the inheritance of great glory. This esteemed Israel, capable of rivaling Jacob, indomitable against adversaries, powerful and valiant, perpetually triumphing — who, he asks, has permitted them to be plundered and taken captive? How could the one who knew no defeat be vanquished? How could the one who raised his steadfast horn against all be brought low? Yet, for those of us who came after, it is crucial to understand why such a glorious and chosen people faced such misfortune. It must be noted, was it not God, against whom they sinned and refused to follow in His ways or heed His law? This inquiry reveals the situation clearly, for God was undoubtedly the one who allowed it, bringing upon them the righteous anger due to their transgressions. Thus, their adversaries gained strength against them, which was unusual for the Israelites, who had consistently triumphed under God’s protection. However, when they acknowledged their blatant disregard for His divine commandments, they lost their former advantages: they came to be powerless, struck with fear, and surrounded by devastation, as if torched by a fire that obliterated them through the severity of their plights, or scorched their cities, as indicated in another text, "Your land is desolate, your cities are burned with fire" (Isaiah 1:7). Yet, he states, they did not perceive it; instead, they brought low their own spirits. In these words, they face the charge of insensitivity. Had they refrained from offending God, they would have attained perfection in understanding and avoided incurring His wrath by humbly submitting to Him. Truly, those who are subject to similar fates due to human failings, if they remain oblivious to the calamities brought upon them, are devoid of all hope. The Israelites are clearly accused of such indifference in the words of Jeremiah, who speaks to the Almighty, "Lord, your eyes are upon faith; you have stricken them, and they have not accepted the correction" (Jeremiah 5:3). Let us remember that after Jerusalem fell and Israel was taken into exile, Jeremiah conveyed to the remnant what God had proclaimed: not to journey to Egypt. Then, the women shamelessly replied, without even acknowledging divine wrath, "The Lord has not sent you." Moreover, they added another statement revealing their profound moral decay: "When we stopped offering sacrifices to the queen of heaven, then all these calamities came upon us" (Jeremiah 44). Therefore, it holds true that what was said of them is accurate, that they had not perceived their devastation but instead turned a blind eye even as war engulfed them with flames on every side.