Isaiah 44:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consider this: how is it that He names Israel beloved and chosen, yet it is clear He would not refer to as beloved and chosen those who turned away from faith in Him? Yet, those of Jacob’s lineage, who is also known as Israel, became vessels of honor and were called to the sacred mission of proclaiming the gospel. Therefore, it was fitting for Him to honor them with such majestic titles, having been lights in the world, holding forth the word of life, and guiding the nations under the sun. Thus, He continues to encourage them not to be afraid, but to be strong and courageous, maintaining a youthful and patient spirit, and to steadfastly trust in God despite the opposition from their persecutors.

Many may oppose the sacred message, and an unrighteous multitude might rise against your words, but be encouraged and rise above fear, sloth, and weakness, for I will bring water to those who traverse the barren landscape. It is indeed a sweet and redemptive encounter for those journeying through a land of longing to discover springs of water. For those who walk in righteousness, it is even more desirable—threefold or even more—to receive divine and spiritual refreshment from the Spirit, through which the human spirit, once weakened, may regain strength and courage. The water that the Lord promises to those walking in the wasteland symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The Savior Himself declared, ‘As the Scripture says, “The living waters shall flow from his belly,”’ and the wise Evangelist further explained: ‘But this He speaks of the Spirit, which they that believe in Him would receive (John 7:38, 39).’

Water is life-giving, fostering growth in trees and plants, and in a manner, it represents the work of the Holy Spirit, through whom all creation thrives and flourishes in every good thing, advancing towards spiritual maturity. The promise of water to those moving through the parched earth signifies the transformative power and ministry of the Holy Spirit, leading to spiritual comfort. This link is evident in the promise: I will place My Spirit upon your descendants, and My blessings upon your children. By the seed and children of the holy Apostles, we refer to those brought to the truth and spiritual renewal through their preaching, being regenerated not from perishable seed but through the enduring word of the living God and the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul also wrote to those called through him, stating, ‘For though you have many instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers: for in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the gospel (1 Corinthians 4:15).’ He consistently calls those who have come to believe through his ministry as children. Therefore, I will place My Spirit upon your descendants and grant blessings to your children. The blessings from God to the saints encompass the diversity of spiritual gifts: to one is given a word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge, and so forth. The wise Paul also notes that each of us possesses our own unique gift from God.

Thus, the benefits of these blessings are articulated: ‘They shall wither like grass in the midst of water, and like a willow tree by the flowing water.’ Herbs and plants in dry areas grow slowly and when they do grow, they tend to quickly wither. In contrast, those nourished by streams and currents remain vibrant; the willow continuously flourishes because it is sustained by springs and rivers. Consequently, drawing sustenance from spiritual streams, those empowered by these gifts will declare their exclusive knowledge of God and acknowledge Him who has called them as God.

The declaration that one shall say, I am the Lord's, and another will cry, reflects the multitude coming to Him through faith in Christ. It is not restricted to a singular nation; rather, it encompasses all nations among the Gentiles, who will recognize they belong to God, calling Him their Savior and Redeemer, ultimately identifying with the name of Jacob. They will be acknowledged as the Lord's inheritance, His people, His portion, Israel. And we take pride in our belief that we are God's heritage and partakers in Jesus Christ, our Savior.

When the Jewish people are charged with disbelief and are disparaged, they are addressed simply by their names: "You, Jacob, have not cried out to Me, and you, Israel, have not toiled for Me," after which I delivered Jacob for slaughter and Israel for scorn. Yet when He speaks to the apostles who are of Jewish descent, special names are included. Listen, O Jacob, my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen: first came servitude, then came election. Thus says the Lord, who has created and formed you, who aided you from the womb, so that even in your mother’s womb you held fast to your brother's heel, or who safeguarded you at the inception of the Church from oppressors. Do not fear their malice, O my servant Jacob, and the most upright whom I have chosen. He calls Israel by another title; due to the Hebrew term isurun, different translators have rendered it as "the most righteous" or "righteous himself." The LXX alone uses "beloved," uniting Israel with Himself. For Israel among the Hebrews signifies the righteousness of God. The individual who sees God is conveyed by this term, not through its spelling but its sound. Thus the book of Genesis is termed as "righteous," referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Do not be afraid then, O Jacob and Israel, for I will sprinkle water upon the thirsty and the desolate, of whom it has often been said. And I will pour out My spirit on your offspring and My blessing upon your descendants, who shall be renewed through water and the Holy Spirit in baptism. This promise was also made by the Savior in the Gospel, declaring, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." It is added immediately, "But this He spoke concerning the Holy Spirit, whom those who believe in Him are to receive." He compares those who are reborn in baptism to flourishing plants and to the willow beside waters: contrary to its natural tendency, it produces fruit, which was previously barren, for its seed when used as food becomes unproductive. This is echoed in the first Psalm: "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, and its leaf shall not wither." Others interpret the herbs and revitalizing willows as a dual calling: with herbs representing the Gentile nations and willows representing the believers of Israel. Simultaneously, he outlines the variety among believers: one will declare, "I am the Lord," confident of his righteous deeds; another will call—referring to sinners—upon Jacob for repentance, urging them to turn from their misdeeds. Another will inscriptionally proclaim, "I am God's" or "the Lord's," as the LXX renders: he shall inscribe on his hand, "I am God's," proudly acknowledging his service to Christ as a soldier from the beginning. And he shall be known by the name of Israel. For not all of Israel, but a considerable number of the Gentiles will be called by the name of Israel, receiving the law, the prophets, and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit that were promised to the people of Israel.