They have not known, nor understood: for their eyes are covered that they may not see, and that they may not understand with their heart.
לֹ֥א יָדְע֖וּ וְלֹ֣א יָבִ֑ינוּ כִּ֣י טַ֤ח מֵֽרְאוֹת֙ עֵֽינֵיהֶ֔ם מֵהַשְׂכִּ֖יל לִבֹּתָֽם׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The prophet questions whether if God is indeed present, then the entire tree should be seen as divine. Why, then, do you incinerate part of it, using the remnants to cook food, bake bread, boil, and roast meat, while consuming what it provides and enjoying its illumination? Is not the portion that receives worship similar to that which is cast into the flames? How can you hold one in contempt while honoring the other?
Why do you not reflect on the essence of those whom you consider deities in lifeless images? It is apparent to anyone that these are fashioned by artisans, carved with tools such as axes and drills, the handiwork of the destitute who, in their hunger, ingeniously find a means to secure their daily sustenance. Why do you fail to contemplate the true nature of God? Does He require nourishment, or is He indifferent to our offerings? Is God incapacitated without receiving food, or as Simmachus asserts, does He experience thirst, weakness, and fatigue, yet remains silent, as if He does not seek water despite His supposed need?
We are compelled to share our belief that the entire passage from verse 9 to verse 20 serves as a dedicated sermon from the prophet, likely delivered verbally to the people. This sermon is integrated into the prophecy of chapter 44 as a complement and clarification of its central theme—that despite the impending disasters predicted for Israel, a message of hope has been conveyed, affirming that they are not forsaken by God. This community stands as a testament to God's past miracles, and their continued existence demonstrates His compassion.
Therefore, they symbolize assurance of the fulfillment of the promises, the most immediate of which is the divine appointment of a man named Cyrus, who will act as God's instrument to restore Jerusalem, the temple, and the cities of Judah that were prophesied to face destruction in chapter 39.
In verses 21-28 of this chapter, we see a direct continuation of the prophecy commenced in verses 1-8, which is momentarily interrupted by a critique of idols. Verse 21 reiterates the sentiment found in verse 2, while verse 22 echoes verse 25 of chapter 43. Additionally, verse 24 of this chapter corresponds with the expressions in verse 6, creating a unified message between the concluding part, verses 21-28, and the introductory section, verses 1-8. The concluding statement of verse 8 poses the question, “Is there any God besides Me? There is no other stronghold, I know of none.” In conjunction, verse 21 proclaims, “Remember this, Jacob and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you; you are My servant, Israel; do not forget Me.”
When we focus on the sermon regarding the futility of idols, we recognize a substantial resemblance to the denunciation offered by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 10:2-5, 14, which addresses the creation of idols. Both the later 'epistle of Jeremiah' and the admonitions found in the Wisdom of Solomon seem to evolve from similar themes and condemnations articulated by Isaiah. In his discourse, Isaiah appeals to people's common sense and presents the absurdity of idol formation, questioning what madness could lead to its worship.
We particularly highlight verse 20, which states, “A deceived heart has turned him away (the idolater); he cannot save his soul, nor does he say, Is there not deception in my right hand?” Who is the one that deceived the heart of the idolater? From whom could he not rescue his soul? It is clear that this refers to the evil one, the father of lies, who holds dominion over the hearts of the unfaithful, leading them astray, and from whom they could not be freed until He who has “overcome the world,” along with death and hell, arrived.
Before this triumph, Satan was able to prevent the unenlightened soul from reaching the light. However, once light and truth and grace were introduced to the world, human souls could access the light and be liberated from the bondage of Satan. As noted earlier, we relate the subsequent verses back to the inquiry made in verse 8: “Is there any God besides Me? There is no other stronghold, no other stronghold that I know.”
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS