Isaiah 47:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If you doubt the truth of my word, let the astronomers who gaze at the heavens come forth to save you, declaring what will befall you. Beyond the magicians and enchantresses, I believe there were other kinds of deceivers. They claimed that some among them were knowledgeable about the stars' rising and setting, measuring their movements regardless of their origins, and through this fraudulent knowledge attempted to predict the future. If they are not deceivers, and if the celestial bodies serve as their prophets, then let them inform you of what is to come. Yet, he proclaims, they cannot speak the truth, for they shall be consumed with all others like kindling to the flame, and none shall escape that fate. He critically alludes to Babylon, mocking it for its misguided beliefs, saying, "Imati coals of fire," which refers to fervent, burning men, signifying that those who sit upon them, though it may suggest a temporary calm, are still engulfed in turmoil.

The distinction of Babylon and all of Chaldea in their devotion to magicians, astrologers, soothsayers, and augurs is well documented, as revealed in the writings of Daniel, who recounts that the Babylonian kings acted upon their counsel. Instead of what we have translated based on the works of Simmachus and Theodotion: let the diviners of the skies come forth and aid you, the Seventy translated it more distinctly: let the astrologers of the heavens present themselves and save you, as they are commonly referred to as mathematicians, believing that human existence hinges on celestial movements and planetary paths. Thus, the wise men from the east approached, claiming that they had seen the star of the Lord, possibly due to scientific understanding or based on the prophecy of Balaam, who stated in the book of Numbers, “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Num. 24:17). Therefore, let those who calculate months, tally years, and profess knowledge of the future through minute calculations reveal what the Lord has decreed regarding you. And since they remain silent about what is to transpire, the prophet responds, Behold they are like chaff, the fire has devoured them so that those who promised deliverance to others might recognize their own afflictions: undoubtedly, while the city was engulfed in flames, its residents fell victim to the consuming fire. The Jews interpret this: there are no coals to warm themselves, nor fire to sit before it; they have no enlightening wisdom or reason to dissipate their darkness and dispel the chill of falsehood. Instead of this, the Seventy, though I know not for what reason, rendered it: you have coals of fire, you shall sit upon them; unless we demonstrate that fire and burning were much more advantageous to Babylon than wise men, astrologers, and magicians. For the former, through penalties and punishments, call to repentance, while the latter, through deceit, lead to arrogance. All his efforts and his merchants—by whom we understand the Magi—resulted in every one wandering in his own direction, and having perished himself, could not offer salvation to another. Let us inquire of those who recognize different natures whether Babylon was inherently good or evil. If they assert: evil—and they undoubtedly will—then why is there a call for repentance, and why is it said to him: sit down, enter into darkness, daughter of the Chaldeans? Furthermore, after listing sins and transgressions, why is it added: you who have coals of fire, you shall sit upon them; they shall be your aid? Why also is it noted, according to the same Seventy: you have labored for a change from your youth? What sort of change? Surely—from good to evil. From this, it becomes clear that those who are good by nature can be turned evil by their will. Finally, it is asserted: man is lost within himself, not due to nature, but through the choice of the will.

For, witnessing the rewards of iniquity, we strive in opposition, and, anchored in our hope in the Almighty, we experience His providence in our current lives, ultimately rejoicing in everlasting goodness in the coming age through the grace of our Lord and Savior Christ, to whom be glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, both now and forevermore, for all generations. Amen.