Isaiah 5:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This can be interpreted as the desolation of the city or the ruin of their own spirits, impacting the soul of each individual. Some interpret the clouds as representative of the prophets who, in a sense, receive divine revelation and share it with the populace. Yet, He states, these prophets will fail to fulfill their usual roles. Indeed, while a few prophets were taken into captivity with the Jewish people, the majority of the prophets remained silent during that era.

They once found themselves in captivity, taken along with their loved ones to the lands of Persia and Media; however, they did not journey into Egypt without the guidance of holy prophets during the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, for the prophet Jeremiah accompanied them, receiving profound divine insights. Upon their rebellion against Christ, they were left unprotected, and all security was lost. This is aptly represented by the statement of their wall being destroyed. Subsequently, the words of the holy prophets went mute, akin to the cessation of rain, as did the voices of the saints. This aligns with God’s proclamation through one of the prophets: “Behold, the days are coming, saith the Lord, and I will send a famine upon the land, not a famine for bread or thirst for water, but for hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east: they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it” (Am. 8:11, 12). Thus, as I have mentioned, this befell the Israelites justly, having turned away from the Lord who nourishes the souls and hearts spiritually, enveloping them in heavenly dew, to which the blessed David refers: “Like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion” (Ps. 132:3). In place of the former vineyard, a new one has emerged through the faith of those called to holiness. Concerning these, the heavenly bridegroom, Christ, declares: “The vines put forth shoots and emit fragrance.” He is the first, holy, and true vine, and we, as branches, are nourished by His life-giving fruit. He stated clearly, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman: every branch in me that bears not fruit, He takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:1, 2). Being united with Him in a deeply spiritual manner, we will produce much fruit. He reassures us, saying, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4, 5). Therefore, I affirm that through faith, love, and unwavering obedience we must be grafted into the true vine, which is Christ. He will enable us to bear fruit, encircle us with protection, and establish a barrier against threats. In sacred Scriptures, it is proclaimed: “And thy everlasting desolations shall be built up, and thy eternal foundations shall be laid: and thou shalt be called the repairer of paths, and the restorer of streets to dwell in” (Isaiah 58:12).

However, the soul abandoned to its own will, like an unkept vineyard, becomes overgrown and worn out by trivial pursuits, producing works that only lead others astray; for one who toils for fleeting things resembles a vineyard that grows trunks, leaves, and twisted vines but yields no wine that brings joy and is worthy of royal banquets. Hence, the neglected vine faces two misfortunes: it is described as "not pruned, beneath it is pruned." Additionally, the term "not pruned" signifies a lack of trials, which are intended for the good of the suffering. To "dig" is to cultivate one’s surroundings for personal advantage. For instance, the wealthy man who burdens his soul with earthly concerns is not "buried." And the heavenly rains do not fall upon him, as they do not reach the root weighed down by much vanity. Yet the one who learns to detach from the weight of worldly and corruptible matters through serious reflection, who seeks respite from burdens, and who clears away the roots of "sorrow" with repentance, is made humble. All of this will prevent thorns from taking root, meaning that the worries of this life will not take hold if earthly distractions are cast out. In light of the phrase "shall not be pruned," we must also consider the words from the Gospel of John: "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit" (John 15:1-2). Therefore, the unfaithful "steward of the house" laments, "I cannot dig" (Luke 16:3), but a wise and diligent steward skillfully cultivates, using all He possesses to support his life, demonstrating that just as earth, distant from its root, provides sustenance for the plant, so too does the excess of riches weighing down the wealthy burden their souls. However, that which is willingly given away to those in need becomes the true property of the generous. Because the vineyard is neither pruned nor cultivated, thorns take root, just as thorns grow in an unkempt vineyard. Our Savior remarked that those who are consumed by worldly concerns resemble the land that produces thorns, which, despite receiving the seed of the Word, chokes it with thorns (Luke 8:14). Therefore, the uncultivated soul is filled with numerous worries. Consequently, it is stated, "thorns shall spring up on him, like thorns on a tree." It is noteworthy that above it is mentioned, "I waited for it to yield grapes, but it yielded thorns," and here it is specified, "and it will spring up." The emergence of thorns signifies significant evil and its widespread nature. Due to the vine's poor yield, the rains are withdrawn from it, as it misuses the rainfall it receives. Likewise, if we fail to utilize the means bestowed upon us by God for good, divine assistance is removed from us. If the grapes—Israel—remain untended, it is not only because they lack the fruit expected of them by the Lord but also because they first beat, stoned, and killed the servants sent to them and later laid hands on the Son of God Himself—these vile actions are likened to thorns, sprouting from the cursed earth. Consequently, a command is given to the clouds not to water the grapes that produce such fruit. What sort of clouds are these, and what kind of rain? Let us draw from the natural understanding of clouds. Clouds are formed from condensed air made of moisture, lifted by winds. When they gather enough density and moisture, they become heavy and release drops upon the earth. Such is the nature of rains, originating from the earth and returning to it via the atmosphere. The prophets were similar; they arose from the common nature but were elevated by the purity of their spirits, pouring forth the fruitful words of the Spirit into receptive souls. Moses expressed, "Let my teaching drop as the rain" and "as the dew upon the grass, and as showers upon the tender herb" (Deuteronomy 32:2). Thus, the divine powers receive a command not to rain upon the vineyard that has produced thorns, which are not just plants but a crown of thorns for their Master. Therefore, in this Synagogue, the Word of God is silent, with no prophet, leader, or ruler present (Dan. 3:38), but only the ominous clarity and stillness of heaven, fulfilling the ancient oath: "The heaven above your head shall be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron." Again, "The Lord will make the rain of your land powder and dust; from heaven, it shall come down upon you until you are destroyed" (Deuteronomy 28:23-24). For there are no spiritual clouds, no prophet, for the command of God is unwavering. Even though it is stated that the clouds will indeed rain, the one who causes the rain to fall is the Lord. The Prophet proclaims, "No one can make it rain like You" (Jer. 14:22). Moreover, it is declared in the name of God, "And I will send rain on one city, and on another city, I will not send rain; one part will be rained on, while the part lacking rain will wither" (Am. 4:7). According to the providence of the good God, the plot of the wicked is not watered by rain, allowing the withered seeds of iniquity to dry up.

This is reflected elsewhere in Scripture: "Let my teaching drop as the rain" (Deuteronomy 32:2) and also: "I struck you with blight and mildew... yet you did not return to me" (Am. 4:7-8); that is, people will travel from one city to another in search of Divine wisdom, yet they will not find it.

Jeremiah prophesied to the people after the city's fall, and figures like Ezekiel, Daniel, and the three youth are noted for their prophetic acts and miraculous signs even during the time of exile; in addition, Haggai and Zechariah offered prophetic encouragement to the oppressed community later on. God's assistance is withdrawn from those deemed unworthy, allowing them to know Him not through His blessings but through His judgments. A stern warning is issued that may lead them to repentance, thereby enabling them to evade the foretold affliction.

If, according to Aquila, Theodotion, and the LXX, the term used here is translated as thorns, one must consider why busim was translated above as thorns rather than wild grapes. I will command the clouds that they will not rain upon it. These clouds are those which the Lord summons from the corners of the earth, as mentioned in the Psalm: Thy truth is up to the clouds (Psalm 35:6). Those clouds, during Elijah's time when idolatry was rampant, withheld rain from the land of Israel for three and a half years (3 Kings 18). This principle applies not only to the prophets but also to the apostles; after the suffering of the Lord, the Jews were left without prophets or apostles, not to produce thorns in place of good grapes, but rather to compel them, in their barrenness and drought, to implore the One who bestows the rains of righteousness.

Thus, in Leviticus, the Lord states that I will make your heaven as hard as iron, and your earth like brass (Leviticus 26:19). Similarly, in Deuteronomy, it is declared that 'The heavens above you will be as hard as brass, and the earth below you will be like iron' (Deuteronomy 28:23), and again it is written, 'The Lord will send down rain upon your land as dust, and the finger from heaven will strike you down, until you are crushed and destroyed' (Deuteronomy 28:24). For the land that receives rain consistently yet yields thorns and thistles instead of grain is unproductive and approaches the curse that culminates in destruction (Hebrews 6:7-8).

The community resembled a desolate landscape, failing to yield the fruits of authentic faith and holiness. Heaven itself turned away from the transgressors. The outpouring of God’s grace, which had once abundantly blessed them, receded, redirecting to nourish the desolate lands of the Gentiles (Isaiah 44:3).