Isaiah 44:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Indeed, consider how God refers to Israel as both beloved and chosen; it stands clear that He would not label as beloved and chosen those who have rejected faith in Him. However, since they are descendants of Jacob, who is also Israel, they became vessels of honor and were entrusted with the sacred mission of proclaiming the Gospel. Thus, it was fitting for Him to bestow upon them such magnificent titles as they shone as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15), holding forth the word of life (Philippians 2:16) and guiding all nations beneath the sun. Therefore, He encourages, do not be afraid, meaning be strong and courageous, maintaining a youthful and resilient spirit, with a steadfast faith in God despite the challenges posed by your adversaries. Many will rise against the holy message, and an ungodly multitude may oppose your words, but rise above fear, idleness, and weakness, for I will provide water to those traversing the barren land. It is indeed a source of sweetness and salvation for those yearning in the wilderness to encounter refreshing springs. For those who walk in righteousness, the desire is even greater—to be refreshed by divine and spiritual streams from the Spirit, enabling the human spirit, which may feel weary, to regain strength and courage. The water promised by God to those traversing the arid land is understood as the Holy Spirit. The Saviour Himself affirmed, "As the Scripture says, 'Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,'" explaining, "But this He spoke of the Spirit, which those who believe in Him will receive" (John 7:38-39). Water is life-giving, fostering growth in trees and plants; it symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit through whom all creation thrives, and spiritual growth flourishes in all virtues. This promise of water to those in desolation signifies the life-giving influence of the Holy Spirit and the comfort He provides. This becomes evident in the next phrase: I will place My Spirit upon your offspring and My blessings upon your children. By "seed" and "children," we refer to those brought to the knowledge of the truth and spiritual renewal through the holy Apostles—not from corruptible seed, but through the enduring word of the living God and the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul himself spoke of this in his letter, indicating, "For though you have countless tutors in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel, I have begotten you" (1 Corinthians 4:15). He consistently refers to those who have believed in Him through them as children. Hence, I will place My Spirit upon your seed and My blessings upon your children. The blessings from God to the saints take the form of various spiritual gifts: to one the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge, and so forth (1 Corinthians 12:8). Further, Paul elaborated that every individual possesses a unique gift from God (1 Corinthians 7:7). The purpose of these blessings is underscored when he states, "They shall wither like grass in the midst of water and like a willow by the flowing water." Plants that grow in dry conditions develop slowly and wither quickly, whereas those nourished by water thrive abundantly. The willow remains ever vibrant as it taps the life found at springs and rivers. Thus, those enriched by spiritual streams will surely acknowledge that they know Him and declare Him as their God. When it is said, "This one shall say, 'I am God,' and that one shall cry out" signifies the multitude coming to Him through faith in Christ. They shall not be identified by the name of any single nation; rather, the diverse multitude of Gentiles shall collectively profess that they belong to God, acknowledging Him as their Saviour and Redeemer, and ultimately identifying with Jacob, indicating that they are already counted among God's heritage: they are described as the Lord's portion, His people, His inheritance, Israel (Deuteronomy 32:9). We take pride, as believers, that we are part of God's chosen lot through Jesus Christ, the Saviour of us all.

While the Jewish people face accusations of disbelief and scorn, they are addressed simply by their names: you, Jacob, have not called upon Me, and you, Israel, have not labored for Me; thus, I turned Jacob over to slaughter and Israel to disgrace (above, ch. 43, v. 22 and 28). However, when He speaks to the apostles of Jewish descent, He adds distinguishing names. Listen, O Jacob, My servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen: there was first bondage, followed by election. Thus says the Lord, who formed you and aided you from the womb, so that even in your mother’s womb you grasped your brother's heel (Genesis 25), and who safeguarded you in the early days of the Church against persecutors. Do not fear their cruelty, O My servant Jacob, and My most righteous selection. He refers to Israel by another name; because the Hebrew term means “righteous,” other translators have rendered it as ευθυτατον or “the most righteous,” with the LXX alone translating it as beloved, closely linking it with Israel. For Israel signifies the righteousness of God. The individual who beholds God is indicated by this term, not through its letters, but in its spoken form. That is why the book of Genesis is called ευθείς, meaning the righteous—Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Therefore, do not fear, O Jacob and Israel, for I will pour out water on the thirsty and parched, of whom it has often been said. I will put My spirit upon your descendants and My blessings upon your offspring, who shall be reborn in baptism through water and the Holy Spirit. This is also the promise of the Savior in the Gospel, stating, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. And it is quickly added, “But this refers to the Holy Spirit, whom they that believe are to receive” (John 7:37, 39). He also likens the newly born in baptism to flourishing plants and willows beside the streams of water, producing fruit contrary to their original barrenness or where seeds, once consumed, are rendered barren. This is precisely what is conveyed in the first Psalm—“He shall be like a tree planted by the flowing waters, yielding its fruit in due season, and its leaves shall not wither” (Psalms 1:3). Some interpret these green herbs and willows as representing a dual calling: the herbs symbolizing the nations, and the willows representing the believers of Israel. He simultaneously illustrates the diversity among believers: one will proclaim, ‘I am the Lord,’ confident in his righteous deeds; another will call upon the name of Jacob—referring to sinners—inviting them to repent and abandon their vices and sins. Yet another will inscribe with his hand, ‘I belong to God’ or as the LXX translates it: he will write on his hand, ‘I am God's,’ proudly affirming his commitment to Christ from the very start of his service as a soldier. And he shall be known by the name of Israel. For not all of Israel, but a significant part of the Gentiles shall be called by the name of Israel, receiving the law and the prophets and all the blessings of the Holy Spirit that are promised to the people of Israel.

This reference may relate to the marks that many bear on their hands or can symbolize the crosses and the name of Christ. The significance of the name connected to Jacob (i.e., Israel) indicates that those who lead godly lives will endure to the end because God desires not the destruction of all Israel but their full restoration to Himself. He grants the pathway to salvation to those who place their faith in Him. God identifies Himself as Lord, God, Creator, and Maker to correct the error made when Israel assigned the title ‘god’ to beings who are not gods while neglecting the One who is the ultimate Creator of humanity. They showed honor to their parents, who are seen as responsible for the initial disregard for the Creator. As one of the prophets declared, ‘A son honours his father, and a servant his master; if I am the Father, where is the reverence for Me? And again, if I am the Lord, where is the reverence for Me?’ (Mal 1:6). The Son reigns over the world through His authority, yet it is the Father who brought it into being.