Isaiah 44:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Hence, despite Israel’s numerous offenses, being forgiven by God serves to improve them, leading to the command to remember their carelessness and the mercy of their Lord. James reminds us of this. What does this mean? It refers back to the assertion, You are My servant; I have made you My servant. These words clearly indicate that Israel was not unguided, but rather was under the law and had many capable teachers guiding them. Thus, it can be seen as a young servant created for this purpose.

In what way? Let us express as much as possible. Humanity was formed, just as our forefather Adam was, from the dust of the earth, for it is said that God took a substance from the earth and made man (Gen. 2:7). This method of creation persists to this day in our connection to the womb of our mother, which is the pathway through which all earthly beings come into existence. Additionally, a spiritual formation occurs within God's servant, intricately developed by understanding Divine laws into a splendid form that embodies virtue in human souls—a beauty that should be conceived as spiritual. They, too, are crafted in Christ, transformed through the communion of the Holy Spirit into His likeness. Divine Paul similarly writes to the Galatians, “My children, of whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). Christ is formed within us when the Holy Spirit bestows a divine image upon us through sanctification and truth, illuminating the image of God the Father in our souls (Hebrews 1:8) as we are transformed, by sanctification, into His likeness.

Moreover, Paul admonishes us: “Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2). He speaks of the veil that lies over the hearts of the Jews; however, we, with unveiled faces, gaze upon the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into His same image from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor. 3:15, 18). This signifies our growth into the likeness of God. Nevertheless, because the term ‘servant’ can apply to both servants and sons, it is appropriate to view those formed in the law as servants, for there existed a spirit of bondage within Israel, and they were not blameless in their negligence, leading to the law imposing penalties on them. Conversely, those who are formed in Christ are regarded as sons of God according to what has been articulated. Thus, we must acknowledge both the humanity of the Justifier and our creation for sonship and glory, responding to God with gratitude for what He has done on our behalf.

How this can be accomplished by us, He kindly instructs, saying, “And you, O Israel, do not forget Me.” One forgets God when he neglects devotion to Him or completely withdraws from it. This was the case for the Israelites as they served nonexistent idols; and many still do so today, faltering after embracing faith, for theirs is the righteous judgement, as it is written (Rom. 3:8). This forgetting of God often signifies a falling away from faith, while remembrance reflects steadfastness in faith, love, and all that pleases Him. Therefore, He cautions not to forget Me, but rather to remember Me. “Behold, I will remove your iniquities like a cloud.” The phrase implies, “I will take away,” highlighting that like a cloud dispersing, I will obliterate it. That it comes from Me signifies that turning to Me will bring salvation. How can He say He has already taken away these sins if He still calls for conversion, as though those yet unconverted, meant to be turned when Christ illuminates the world—through whom all sins are forgiven, transformation and calling to God occurs by faith in Him, along with a life characterized by the gospel and exceptional acts of virtue?

As they shall be completely vanquished at the arrival of My chosen one, you will come to realize, just as clouds and darkness are dispersed by the sun's heat or the wind, so too will I remove your iniquities and all the sins that have offended Me. Turn exclusively to Me and repent; for redemption comes through precious blood. If you adhere to this, understand that at your salvation the heavens and the earth will rejoice, and all creation will exalt you: whether it be the angels in heaven or the powers that uphold the earth, or the apostles and prophets, among whom the apostle stated, ‘The apostle and prophet who are on the foundation will be called Nazdani’ (Eph. 2:20). In addition, the mountains and forests, which differ in their merits, are instructed to rejoice and sound the trumpet upon learning that the Lord has redeemed Jacob and delights in the transformation of Israel, or that Israel itself, having turned away from error, is made glorious.

It is through Israel, representing the transformed individual renewed by grace, rather than Jacob, who symbolizes the man of the Old Covenant, that the redemption of humanity and the forgiveness of sins will be realized, provided he "turns to the Lord who redeemed him."