Part of it he burnt with fire, and with part of it he dressed his meat: he boiled pottage, and was filled, and was warmed, and said: Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire.
חֶצְיוֹ֙ שָׂרַ֣ף בְּמוֹ־אֵ֔שׁ עַל־חֶצְיוֹ֙ בָּשָׂ֣ר יֹאכֵ֔ל יִצְלֶ֥ה צָלִ֖י וְיִשְׂבָּ֑ע אַף־יָחֹם֙ וְיֹאמַ֣ר הֶאָ֔ח חַמּוֹתִ֖י רָאִ֥יתִי אֽוּר׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Therefore, do not fixate on the idol and its allure; instead, reflect on this: Where is the remaining part of what was consumed, used for fuel and other necessities? It has been reduced to ashes. In mocking them, the prophet also echoes the sentiments of those who experienced warmth: indeed, I am warm; I have felt the heat.
The prophet reveals that the Creator has provided oak trees and forests to humanity, enabling them to prepare sustenance through fire and thereby meet their physical needs. They utilize the oak and pine that the Almighty has nurtured, enriched with moisture through His governance of rain, so that people may experience abundant bodily rest, yet they turn these gifts into deities.
Consider why you do not reflect on the essence of those you deem deities in lifeless idols. It is evident to all that these are mere products of craftsmen fashioned with saws, hammers, and various tools, the invention of those impoverished souls who, in their struggle for sustenance, have cleverly devised a means to earn their daily bread. Why not contemplate the nature of God? Does He have need of food? Does He desire our offerings? Is God rendered powerless without receiving nourishment, akin to Simmachus' claim that He grows hungry, weak, and fatigued, requiring drink? And why do they wonder why He does not quench His thirst if He is truly in need? He remains silent, much like an inanimate object.
We must convey our belief that the entire passage from verse 9 to verse 20 can be regarded as a distinct sermon from the prophet, possibly delivered verbally to the people. This section is integrated into the prophecy of chapter 44 to serve as an elaboration and clarification of its central message. Despite the impending disasters predicted for Israel, a message of reassurance has been delivered; God has not forsaken this people. Their existence serves as a testament to God's past wonders and His mercy, thus assuring the fulfillment of His promises. The most imminent of these is the Lord God sending Cyrus, a chosen leader, who will be the vessel to restore Jerusalem, the temple, and the cities of Judah, which had been prophesied to face destruction in chapter 39.
Verses 21–28 of this chapter clearly follow the prophecy found in verses 1–8, following a brief interruption addressing the futility of idols. Verse 21 reflects the sentiment of verse 2, while verse 22 echoes the essence of verse 25 from chapter 43. Additionally, verse 24 of this chapter reiterates the language found in verse 6 here. The concluding verses of chapter 44, 21-28, are tightly woven with the initial verses, 1-8. The final declaration of verse 8 asks, 'Is there any God besides Me? There is no other stronghold, I know of none.' Moreover, verse 21 calls to remembrance Jacob and Israel, affirming, 'for you are My servant; I have formed you; My servant you are Israel, do not forget Me.'
When we look separately at the sermon concerning the emptiness of idols, we find it shares a fundamental resemblance with the denunciation of the prophet Jeremiah found in Jeremiah 10:2-5, 14, which addresses the creation of idols. Both the latter 'epistle of Jeremiah' and the warnings in the book of the Wisdom of Solomon appear to further develop the themes originally articulated by Isaiah. Isaiah, through his reasoning, appeals to human sensibility, articulating the process of idol-making while questioning the madness behind its worship.
We wish to focus on verse 20, which states, 'A deceived heart has led him (the idolater) astray, and he cannot deliver his soul, and say, Is not deceit in my right hand?' Who has misled the heart of the idolater? From whom is he unable to redeem his soul? It is clear that this refers to the evil one, the father of lies, who governs over the hearts of the heathen, leading them astray and from whom they cannot escape until He who has 'overcome the world,' as well as death and hell arrives. Prior to this triumph, Satan could prevent the unilluminated soul from approaching the light. However, when light, truth, and grace were revealed, humanity was liberated from Satan's chains and could now ascend toward the light.
As previously stated, we link the subsequent verses with the inquiry posed in verse 8: 'Is there any God besides Me? There is no other stronghold, no other stronghold I know.'
THEOSIS