Isaiah 43:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In Christ, everything is renewed, as the most holy Paul affirms in his writing: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away” (2 Cor. 5:17). He who calls to renewal, which is evidently spiritual, advises: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2). For in Christ, we have been restored through sanctification, returning to the original beauty of creation in the image of the Creator, discarding the old self that is characterized by sin and impurity. We have shed the old self, rooted in sinful desires, and have embraced the new self, renewed in the image of Him who created him (Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:9-10). The transformation in Christ marks a new creation, which we did not receive from a corruptible seed but through the living Word of God that endures forever (1 Pet. 1:23). Thus, I alone, in my glory, have established and formed a nation, gathered from the four corners of the earth, called by my name. The Son serves as the glory of God and the Father; through the Son, He is glorified, as He stated: “I have glorified You on earth” (John 17:4). And it is assured that those who believe in Him are created through Him, as we are conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29). We possess within us the radiant beauty of the divine nature. The divine psalmist echoes this sentiment: "The generation to come shall declare the righteousness of the Lord" (Psalm 21:31), and the people of Zizhdim shall praise the Lord (Psalm 101:19). When he added, "And men shall know that they are blind," he underscores the excellence of His power, which surpasses all description, and is deserving of awe. For those who once walked in darkness due to the devil's malice, He has brought them into the light, illuminating them as if they were the dawn and sun of truth, revealing them as children of light and day, as wise Paul articulates (1 Thess. 5:5). That He has rendered some blind is evident to all. Yet one might counter, stating that even now it’s clear that their eyes are also blind and lack sight; to which the answer comes, “All the nations shall gather together, and the rulers shall come from among them,” as if to say: heed the words of prophecy; the moment of their fulfillment has not yet arrived, yet all nations will surely come together in due time. The phrase "shall be gathered together" reflects the scripture's custom of presenting future certainties as if they have already occurred. Thus, through Isaiah, it is expressed as if in the voice of Christ, “I gave My back to those who struck Me” (Isaiah 50:6) instead of “I will give,” and through the psalmist, “They divided My garments among themselves, and for My clothing they cast lots” (Psalm 21:19), which was realized at the time of Christ's coming. Therefore, all nations shall indeed be gathered, and not only that, but among them, there will also be rulers—leaders and keepers of mysteries; those who were once misguided and enveloped in profound darkness will now become bearers of divine light to those who are meant to follow them. The psalmist referred to the Church of the nations, noting, “As her darkness is darkness, so also her light” (Psalms 138:12). Just as she endured immense darkness during her time of error, now she shines brightly, for as Paul aptly stated, where sin abounds, grace superabounds (Rom. 5:20).