Isaiah 46:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Hence, consider to whom I am compared—whether to humanity or animals or mute creatures. Is this not an act of profound irreverence? Seek some justification and try to absolve yourself from these sins, but you will find no rationale substantial enough to justify it. By reducing the divine essence to the level of animals and cattle, what conceivable excuse could mitigate your transgressions? He aims to illustrate that crafting idols is sheer folly. Thus, he wisely observes: they take silver and gold from their bags, placing it on scales, perhaps hoping that their contributions will sway the created deity to favor them based on the amount offered. It seems evident that if financial means were lacking, no god would exist for them, and without artisans, there would be no objects of worship. Their ignorance and folly are such that they, possessing life before their deities, choose to honor those created after them. Those who ought to be the creators are instead created, while lords of matter—those who utilize it for sustenance—seek salvation from it. Having hoisted their idols on their shoulders, they bear them as a burden; they perceive their immobility, knowing anyone can transport them as desired, yet they still offer prayers to them. So, if you observe that they receive prayers, you might anticipate aid from them; but if they remain unresponsive and motionless, what assistance can they provide? Yet, afflicted by this very blindness, you fail to recognize your condition, for you have succumbed to profound insensitivity.

He refers not only to Jacob or Israel, whose names alone stand as reproaches to the people; far worse is the house of Jacob and the remnant of Israel, who share a lineage in flesh and blood, as if they were the dregs of the remnant. He teaches them that God carried them out of Egypt, like a mother bearing her child. This does not imply that the unfathomable and incomprehensible majesty of God has a womb, legs, or hands, but rather, it expresses God’s love using our own human expressions. The same is echoed in Psalm 109, where the Seventy translate the verse as ‘Out of the womb before the day’ (Psalms 109:3), while the Hebrew states merehem, meaning from the womb. Here, it is not only from the womb and the womb but also menni, which signifies from my womb. The implication is clear: I, who have brought you forth and nurtured you since childhood, will protect you in your later years—not my age, but yours—to show that divine mercy will save you. For the Creator of all shows compassion towards His creations, and the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. The hired hand, however, who does not own the sheep, flees when danger arises (John 10). Thus, as one who has created and borne children, I will also support and sustain them. According to the Seventy, who stated: I have borne them from the womb and taught them since their youth until old age, this indicates that those who do not know God yet honor the images of men and animals are engaging in empty worship, desperately needing prophetic admonishment. God says to them: To whom have you likened me, or compared me with anyone else? They pour gold and silver, hire an artist, craft idols, and bow to their creations which they lift upon their shoulders. These idols, although propped up and established, cannot move or aid those who revere them. We pursue clarity so that through the mercy of Christ, the hidden truths may be unveiled.