Isaiah 47:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, if you believe my words stray from the truth, let the stargazers, who gaze upon the celestial bodies, come forth now to save you and reveal what is to come. Beyond the magi and enchantment practitioners, it seems there were other types of deceivers as well. They claimed that some held knowledge of the stars' rise and set, tracked their movements regardless of their position, and through this false science sought insight into the future. Therefore, if they are not deceivers, and if the stars that grace the heavens serve them as prophets, let them declare what lies ahead. However, he proclaims, they cannot foretell it; they will perish alongside all others, like kindling destined for the flames, and none shall evade their fate. In a certain sense, he mocks and critiques Babylon for its errors, stating it has grown hot, like coals of fire, implying that when you sit upon them, it represents a calming down.

It is evident from the account of Daniel that Babylon and all of Chaldea were renowned for their reliance on sorcerers, astronomers, and diviners, whose counsel guided the kings of Babylon. Instead of the interpretation we derived from Simmachus and Theodotion, the Seventy translated it more succinctly: let the astrologers of the sky rise up to save you, those commonly known as mathematicians who believe that human life is governed by the movement of celestial bodies. This is why wise men came from the east, declaring that they had seen the star of the Lord, motivated either by their scientific understanding or by the prophecy of Balaam, who foretold in the book of Numbers, ‘A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel’ (Num. 24:17). So let those who calculate months, reckon years, and promise foresight through their minute computations, reveal what the Lord has decreed concerning you. And since they are silent about the future, the prophet responds, Behold, they are like chaff; the fire has consumed them, so that those who promised salvation to others may realize their own afflictions; and it is certain that while the city was engulfed in flames, its residents were devoured by fire. The Jews elaborate: there are no coals to warm themselves, nor fire to sit before; they lack the enlightening wisdom and understanding to illuminate their darkness and dispel the chill of ignorance. In contrast, the Seventy translated for reasons unknown: you have coals of fire, you shall sit upon them; illustrating that fire and burning were far more beneficial to Babylon than the counsel of wise men, astrologers, or sorcerers. For the former, through penalties and chastisement, call for repentance, while the latter lead to arrogance through deception. All their endeavors and their merchants, which we interpret as the Magi, have resulted in each one straying from the path, unable to secure salvation for others while they themselves have perished. We may pose the question to those who perceive different natures: did Babylon possess a good nature or an evil one? If they assert it was evil— as they most certainly will—then why are they called to repentance, and why is it stated: sit down, enter into darkness, daughter of the Chaldeans, and subsequently, after listing sins and transgressions, you who have coals of fire, you shall sit upon them; they shall be your assistance? Additionally, the Seventy mention: you have labored for a change since your youth. What does this change signify? Surely it is a shift from good to evil. This clarifies that those who are innately good can be led to evil by their choices. Ultimately, it is noted: a man is lost not by nature, but by the choice of his will.