Isaiah 42:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This text addresses the ancient laws that have been rendered obsolete. It signifies the advent of the new covenant that was meant to be declared, thereby confirming what was to come to fruition later on: just as the first was realized, so too must the latter be realized. The initial covenant, as we find written, contains numerous elements that foreshadow the second and which were indeed fulfilled, including conflicts, virtues, and various other occurrences in accordance with prophecies. For instance, we read, "It shall not rain" (1 Kings 17:1), and indeed, it did not rain.

Indeed, it is the case that only the true God should be recognized and revered as God - the Sovereign of all creation. As the wise Apostle Paul expresses, although there may be numerous deities and authorities in the heavens and the earth, to us, there exists only one God, the Father, from whom all things arise, and we exist through Him, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things came into being, and we exist through Him (1 Cor. 8:5-6). He has manifested Himself as the author of wonderful and awe-inspiring acts on our behalf, proclaiming that He will not share His glory or divine attributes with lifeless idols or any of His created beings, but will reserve them solely for Himself.

The past events have taken place, and I now announce new ones; I will reveal them to you before they occur. The significance is clear: all that I have proclaimed and what I promised through Moses and the prophets has been realized. I now share with you the Good News, the calling of the nations, the sufferings of Christ, and the new faith. This way, as you witness the fulfillment of past prophecies, you may also trust that my current promises will be brought to fruition.

God instructed the same prophets to declare the calling of other nations in their stead. Isaiah proclaimed, "The former things have passed away, but I will declare new things; before they spring forth, I will tell you of them." Therefore, sing a new song to God.

The original and the fresh declaration, He remarked, has already been accomplished, yet I announce the new; before it comes into being, I will cause you to perceive it. Truly, He asserts, the initial promise has been realized through actions, for just as I assured Abraham concerning his offspring, so I have fulfilled it. The predictions communicated by Moses and the other prophets have also been realized, so that I have proclaimed openly the truths foretold and made known through these prophecies for you to hear.

The ancient prophecies delivered by Abraham, Moses, and other seers from the very beginning forecasted events that have indeed occurred. Consequently, the forthcoming revelations I will share with you regarding the new occurrences, particularly the triumph of authentic faith and the victory of Christianity over pagan beliefs, should be evident and unquestionably true. You are to rejoice in the forthcoming fulfillment of these events, even if you will not personally witness this joyous occasion as a reality; it is essential that these foretold happenings transpire before you receive the announcement that the long-awaited event has come to fruition.