Isaiah 49:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, when they were forgiven by Him, they finally received an abundant outpouring of spiritual blessings: they began to partake in heavenly bread and drink from the living water, of which Christ said to the Samaritan woman: "Every one that drinketh of this water shall be thirsty again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall not be thirsty for ever: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a spring of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:13-14). The prophet Isaiah noted concerning those justified by faith and who yield their minds to the revelations of the Gospel: "This one shall dwell in a high cave of rock: bread shall be given him, and his water shall be sure" (Isaiah 33:16). The heat may press upon them, and the sun may be fierce, for Christ has become their protector, sending a cloud by day for the children of Israel and guiding them with a pillar of fire by night. Hence, He assures them they will be safeguarded from the sun and the heat, meaning they will enjoy the shelter of God, such that nothing distressing or fear-inducing will afflict them. The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment: "God is faithful, who will not leave you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is reflected in the statement: "He who has mercy on them will comfort them, for he will lead them through the springs of water, and will remove every mountain from their way and every obstacle from their path." Here, He refers to the holy prophets, apostles, and evangelists as springs, from whom we can draw the life-giving and divine word, nurturing our souls in piety and imparting spiritual joy, as it is written: "And you shall draw water with gladness from the fountain of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3).

There is no arduous feat that is insurmountable for those saved by Christ, as indicated by the phrase: "I will remove every mountain from their path." What may seem daunting and unattainable to many—spiritual glory achieved through abstinence, purity, generosity, patience, kindness, and love—has been made smooth and accessible by the Savior, levelling what once seemed impassable for those willing to pursue it. This is affirmed by another of the holy prophets: "Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low" (Isaiah 40:4). He also proclaims: "The path of the just is upright, and the way of the just is made plain" (Isaiah 26:7). Furthermore, concerning the increase in those who were called and gathered from every corner of the earth, it is indicated: "These shall come from afar, and these from the north and the sea, and some from the land of Persia." The term "from afar" suggests places to the south, the "north" indicates the northern regions, and "the sea" refers to the western lands. The Psalmist likewise acknowledges: "Thou hast made the north and the sea" (Psalms 88:13). From the east, those of the land of Persia may be referenced, as the land of the Persians lies Eastward. This may also allude to the wise men who came to worship Him, inquiring: "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2); and after their worship, they honored Him with gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). The Psalmist speaks of Christ, the Savior of all: "He shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia" (Psalm 71:15), referring to Arabia as the land of the Persians.

Behold, some will come from distant lands, and others from the north, the sea, and from the southern regions. Rejoice, O heavens, and make the earth joyful; lift up, O mountains, your voices in praise, for the Lord has comforted His people and shown mercy to His humble ones. The apostle Paul referenced this in his second letter to the Corinthians, declaring, 'For He says, At a favorable time I have listened to you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Now is the acceptable time' (2 Cor. 6:2). If indeed the chosen vessel applies this message to the first coming, let us follow his insights and, like children, learn from the teacher’s example. The moment is favorable, and the day of salvation signifies the suffering and resurrection of the Savior, who cried out on the cross: My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me (Matt. 27:46). He maintained and structured it when death was vanquished, offering it as a covenant to the Jewish people willing to believe; to restore the land that strayed into idolatry and to reclaim the desolate inheritances that lacked God's presence. He called out to those imprisoned by their sins, saying, Come forth—from the chains of sins that bind them (Proverbs 5:22); and to those dwelling in darkness, Reveal yourselves. They sat enveloped in shadows of death, unable to perceive the light. But when they turn to the illuminating presence of Christ, they will thrive along the paths of the Holy Scriptures, proclaiming: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 22:1). One who is nourished and guided along such paths will know neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the sun scorch them by day, for it is written: the sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night (Psalm 120:6), thus shielding them from the trials and tribulations of this world. The compassionate and gracious Lord Himself will comfort and guide them to the waters of refreshment, as it is written: bless the Lord from the fountain of Israel (Psalm 67:27). In another passage, it states: draw water from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). These wells exist in both the Old and New Testaments. The Lord will remove all barriers obstructing the journey of believers, leveling the high places and raising the low valleys, ensuring a clear and open path. He has plainly stated who will benefit from this prepared way: behold, some will come from afar, some from the north, the sea, and others from the south. In specifying these four cardinal directions—east, north, west, and south—instead of east He labeled it 'afar off'; and for the southern region, the Hebrew term sinim was translated by the Seventy as 'Persians'. Others have chosen to interpret it as the Hebrew conveys, translating sinim as 'the south,' linking it to Mount Sinai, which lies to the south. The prophet Habakkuk proclaims: God comes from the south, and the Holy One from Mount Paran (Hab. 3:3). If 'the blue' is understood, as the LXX renders it, to relate to the Persians of the east, then the phrase, Behold, some will come from afar, could refer to the southern regions. It is enjoined upon heaven and earth, as well as to the powers both celestial and terrestrial, including angels and mankind, to sing hymns of praise to God. Those embodying the highest virtues should express exultation and joy that fills their hearts. The Lord has comforted His people, that is, the Jews eager to believe, and has shown mercy to the poor and humble—His entire people—who were called to Him from the east and the west, the north and the south, lacking law, prophets, or spiritual wealth, yet forsaken, destitute, and oppressed by every sinful power.