THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Aquila states, "Will they not ask, Is deceit already in my right hand?" Consider the implication of this allegation.
Isaiah 44:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
They do not consider in their mind, nor know, nor have the thought to say: I have burnt part of it in the fire, and I have baked bread upon the coals thereof: I have broiled flesh and have eaten, and of the residue thereof shall I make an idol? shall I fall down before the stock of a tree?
וְלֹא־יָשִׁ֣יב אֶל־לִבּ֗וֹ וְלֹ֨א דַ֥עַת וְלֹֽא־תְבוּנָה֮ לֵאמֹר֒ חֶצְי֞וֹ שָׂרַ֣פְתִּי בְמוֹ־אֵ֗שׁ וְ֠אַף אָפִ֤יתִי עַל־גֶּחָלָיו֙ לֶ֔חֶם אֶצְלֶ֥ה בָשָׂ֖ר וְאֹכֵ֑ל וְיִתְרוֹ֙ לְתוֹעֵבָ֣ה אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה לְב֥וּל עֵ֖ץ אֶסְגּֽוֹד׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Theodoret of Cyrus
The prophet suggests that if it is indeed God, then the entirety of the tree must represent God. Why, then, do you destroy a portion of the tree to fuel a fire, using it to bake bread, boil, and roast meat, warming yourselves and benefiting from its light? Is not the section that is revered similar to the part that is cast into the flames? How can you hold one in contempt while showing reverence to the other?
Eusebius of Caesarea
Why do you not reflect on the essence of those whom you consider deities, represented by lifeless figures? It is quite apparent that these are the handiwork of woodworkers, crafted with saws and drills and various other implements, products of impoverished individuals who, in their desperation for sustenance, have cleverly devised a means to gain their daily bread without labor. What stops you from contemplating the true nature of God? Does He require nourishment? Does He desire our offerings? Is God diminished in power without receiving food, or, as Simmachus suggests, does He become hungry, weak, and fatigued, neglecting to quench His thirst? Why do they question why He does not drink, if He truly has such a need for refreshment, yet remains silent, like a mute entity?
Wlastow G.K.
We assert with confidence that the passage from verse 9 to verse 20 serves as a distinct proclamation by the prophet, potentially delivered to the people in person. This portion is integrated into the prophecy of chapter 44 as a complementary explanation of its central message, which reassures Israel amid the foretold calamities that they are not forsaken by God. This nation stands as a testimony to God’s past miracles and acts as a demonstration of His mercy; thus, it is a guarantee of the fulfillment of His promises. The most immediate promise is the raising of a man named Cyrus by the Lord God, who will act as His instrument to restore Jerusalem, the temple, and the cities of Judah, which were previously prophesied to be destroyed in chapter 39.
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In verses 21 to 28 of this chapter, we see a clear continuation of the prophecy from verses 1 to 8, which was briefly interrupted by the discussion of idols’ futility. Verse 21 echoes the sentiment of verse 2, while verse 22 reiterates the idea presented in verse 25 of chapter 43. Similarly, verse 24 draws upon the language of verse 6 from this same chapter. The concluding segment of chapter 44, verses 21 to 28, forms a cohesive unit with the initial verses 1 to 8. The final words of verse 8 declare, "Is there any God besides Me? There is no other stronghold, I know of none." Verse 21 follows with, "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 separately consider the discourse on the futility of idols, we notice that it shares substantial parallels with the denunciations provided by the prophet Jeremiah, particularly in Jeremiah 10:2-5 and 14, where he discusses idol creation. Both this later "letter of Jeremiah" and the teachings in the Book of Wisdom appear to elaborate on similar themes and criticisms previously articulated by Isaiah. Isaiah appeals to human reason, laying out the absurdity of crafting an idol, and challenges, "What irrationality accounts for its worship?"
We wish to highlight 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 misleads the heart of the idolater? From whom is he unable to rescue his soul? It is clear that this refers to the evil one, the father of lies, who dominates the heart of the unbeliever and leads him into deception, from which he cannot be freed until the one who "overcame the world" and conquered death and hell arrives.
Before this triumph, Satan was able to prevent the uninformed soul from seeking the light. However, with the arrival of illumination, truth, and grace, humanity is equipped to pursue the light and is liberated from the bondage of Satan. As we noted earlier, the subsequent verses connect back to the assertion in verse 8: "Is there any God besides Me? There is no other stronghold; I know of no other stronghold."
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Deut 27:15Cursed be the man that maketh a graven and molten thing, the abomination of the Lord, the work of the hands of artificers, and shall put it in a secret place: and all the people shall answer and say: Amen.
- Ex 7:23And he turned himself away, and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to it this time also.
- Isa 45:20Assemble yourselves, and come, and draw near together, ye that are saved of the Gentiles: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven work, and pray to a god that cannot save.
- Isa 5:13Therefore is my people led away captive, because they had not knowledge, and their nobles have perished with famine, and their multitude were dried up with thirst.
- Ezek 40:4And this man said to me: Son of man, see with thy eyes, and hear with thy ears, and set thy heart upon all that I shall shew thee: for thou art brought hither that they may be shewn to thee: declare all that thou seest, to the house of Israel.
- Deut 32:46And he said to them: Set your hearts on all the words, which I testify to you this day: which you shall command your children to observe and to do, and to fulfil all that is written in this law:
- Hos 7:2And lest they may say in their hearts, that I remember all their wickedness: their own devices now have beset them about, they have been done before my face.
- Hag 1:5And now thus saith the Lord of hosts: Set your hearts to consider your ways.