Isaiah 54:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Those who have been instructed by God are safeguarded from corruption by those who speak vain words. Peace with God belongs to those who are united with Him through love, honoring a righteous path that uplifts the Church, ensuring its stability under Christ's protection and granting it unwavering strength, for it is declared that the gates of hell shall not overcome it (Mt. 16:18). It is also written of her in the Psalms: “He made His sanctuary like the horn of a wild ox; He established it on the earth forever” (Psalm 77:69). By “sanctuary,” He refers to the Church, which stands steadfast against adversaries, like a horned creature defends against its foes. It was established in the world through Christ.

It appears that many follow the commandments of the law out of fear of retribution, rather than out of love for righteousness, which the apostle designates as righteousness derived from the law, as it is mandated but not imparted. When it is granted, it is referred to as God's righteousness, for it only becomes ours when it is bestowed by God. For the law is fulfilled freely by one who acts with intent and desire. The individual who learns in this way utilizes the fullness of what has been imparted to them.

Watch, I will fashion a ruby for you, your own stone, and your foundations will be of sapphire; I will structure your walls in jasper, and your gates in crystalline stones, all beautifully carved, while your walls will be decorated with choice gems; and your children shall be God's disciples, experiencing the fullness of peace, and your foundation shall rest upon truth.

While we speak of ordering your stones, the Hebrew text uses a term that most, except for the Seventy, have interpreted as laying your stones upon antimony, akin to a woman enhancing her eyes with it, illuminating the beauty of the city. The term for jasper that we derive from the Septuagint corresponds to a Hebrew word translated uniquely by Simmachus as chalcedon. Simmachus and Theodotion also refer to carvings, while Aquila substitutes with "drilled"; the Hebrew reads differently, which implies crafted and carved gems. Having addressed the variations in translation, let us consider the meaning.

The Lord speaks here to the Church that once was humbled and impoverished, lacking laws, prophets, and the Word of God, shaken by life's tempests and subjected to trials, caught in idolatrous deceptions, without a comforter, expending its resources in vain on false healers. Yet, God proclaims He will himself descend and construct the heavenly Jerusalem on earth, described in the Revelation of John as the bride and wife of the Lamb. This city shines with the brilliance of precious stones, like jasper and crystal, surrounded by a grand wall and twelve gates marked with the names of the tribes of Israel—three gates facing each cardinal direction—and supported by twelve foundations made of jasper and adorned with unique stones: first jasper, second sapphire, third chalcedon, fourth emerald, fifth sardonyx, sixth sardiolite, seventh chrysolite, eighth beryl, ninth topaz, tenth chrysoprase, eleventh hyacinth, and twelfth amethyst. Upon reflecting on this, we exclaim, O depth of God's wisdom and understanding, how unfathomable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! Who can fathom the mind of the Lord? Who is His advisor? (Rom. 11:33-34).

Who is wise among us to grasp these truths and discerning enough to guide? (Hos. 14:10). Let those who find comfort in the mere letter of the law respond, who prepare lavish feasts for themselves and their self-discipline, whose allegiance is to earthly things and who boast in their shame (Phil. 3), anticipating worldly matters post the glorious return of the Savior, trusting in baseless traditions instead of the new covenant. To this heavenly Jerusalem it is now proclaimed: Behold, I will arrange your stones, or as the Septuagint states, I will prepare your ruby, your stone, filling the city with rubies and establishing foundations of porphyry, with jasper or chalcedony walls, crystal or carved gates, and a protective wall of precious gems. All its children will receive divine instruction, being called God's own disciples, experiencing everlasting peace and righteousness.

Clearly, it manifests that in the pursuit of truth, identified as virtue, we ought to seek further virtues for the edification of the Church, instead of indulging in antiquated Jewish tales. The Jews may elucidate on our readings from the Proverbs of Wisdom: "She is more precious than rubies" (Proverbs 3:15). For if Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1), then it is unwise to equate Christ with lifeless stones. Moreover, we read about God’s judgments: “The judgments of the Lord are true and altogether righteous; more to be desired than gold, even the finest gold… (Psalm 18:10-11).”

Hence, it is evident that in discerning truth, it is likened to a significant stone, as stated: “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame” (Is. 28:16). This stone was rejected by those who built—meaning the scribes and religious leaders—yet has become the cornerstone (Ps. 117; Matt. 21). The Apostle Peter remarks that for us who believe, Christ is precious, but to those who do not believe, He is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense (1 Peter 2). He also addresses the high priests saying that He is the chosen and precious stone, cast aside by you (Acts 4), who has become the cornerstone of the Church, uniting both Jew and Gentile.

The apostle writes to the Corinthians about how they are God's building, and that as a wise builder, he lays the foundation, which no one can surpass, for it is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9-11). Whether one builds upon this foundation with gold, silver, or lesser materials, each one's work will be revealed. The foundation is further illustrated: "The apostles and prophets form the foundation, with Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone" (Eph. 2:20) and, “You likewise, as living stones, are built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices” (1 Peter 2:5).

In this mystical context, it bellows that a holy stone lies upon the ground (Zech. 9:16), from which the Lord constructs His Church upon the rock, as proclaimed in the Gospel: “Upon this rock I will build My Church” (Mt. 16:18). Those who enter this city exclaim with joy: “As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God; God establishes it forever” (Psalm 47:9).

It is also inscribed regarding the Creator of the city: "He will build My city and restore the captivity of My people" (Isaiah 45:13). Now is not the time to delve into the nature of the twelve precious stones, although numerous scholars have explored this. Notably, Bishop Epiphanius and Pliny have provided extensive discourse on this topic, listing the twelve stones as mentioned in Exodus and Ezekiel, specifically those on the high priest's breastplate and the crown of the prince of Tyre.

In Exodus, it states: “Four rows of stones were set, the first row containing sardius, topaz, and emerald; the second row, ruby, sapphire, and jasper; the third row, amber (ligirium), agate, and amethyst; and the fourth row, chrysolite, beryl, and onyx set in gold, with the names of the twelve tribes inscribed upon them” (Exodus 28). Significantly, the second row is also noted: ruby, sapphire, and jasper. For we do not yet possess the complete or our true homeland, only seeing through a reflection in a mirror. Ezekiel further describes: “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty; you were in Eden, the garden of God, adorned with precious stones (Ezekiel 28:12-15)”.

It would indeed be foolish to interpret this narrative solely as referring to the prince of Tyre, who, thought to be in God's paradise and among the cherubim, was adorned with earthly materials rather than heavenly truths. At this point, we will not delve into the particulars of each stone, as all should not be addressed at once. We will focus only on ruby, sapphire, and jasper.

The ruby, when refined, represents the fiery essence of doctrine that, when illumination dispels error, brings enlightenment to the faithful. It is the stone that one of the seraphim used to touch the lips of Isaiah (Isaiah 6), and according to God's assurance shall be born in the land of Avilah, where the gold is good, and the precious stones abound (Genesis 2:12). The sapphire, serving as the foundation, symbolizes the sky and the heavenly realm, aligning with Socratic wisdom: "I ascend into the air and gaze upon the sun," or with Paul: “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20).

Furthermore, as Ezekiel writes (Ezekiel 1:26), the one on the divine throne resembles sapphire, reflecting the glory of Heaven. The gates of the Lord’s sanctuary, represented by jasper, must therefore withstand all pride resisting the knowledge of God (1 Cor. 10), bringing truth to light. Thus, one who is grounded in Scripture acts as a bulwark for the Church.

The varieties of jasper are numerous; some found near Thermodonta appear like emerald and are noted for their cleansing properties against unclean spirits. Others, appearing green and flowered, originate from Phrygia, while yet another variant found in Iberia and Hyrcania is particularly stunning. There is another type resembling snow and foamy sea waves, transparent yet intertwined with hues, symbolizing the spiritual gifts within the Church's gates, eliminating all fear, in a majestic proclamation akin to the bride's affirmation: "My beloved is white and red" (Song 5:10).

The gates of this heavenly city are made from crystalline stone with intricate designs, the purest of materials. When water condenses into crystal in desolate alpine conditions, it becomes solid upon touch while appearing fluid to the eye. This serves to illustrate that those at the Church's door should remain untainted, endowed with unwavering faith, echoing the psalmist: “From Your commandments, we gain understanding” (Ps. 118:4) and noting, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Mt. 5:8).

Moreover, the city's fortifications are built from the election stones, symbolizing other stones, where all its children are educated by God. As stated in the Gospel of John, "No one can come to Me unless drawn by the Father." The prophets affirm: “And all shall be taught by God” (John 6:44-45). Jeremiah also proclaims: “I will write My laws on their minds and hearts, and each one shall teach his neighbor, stating, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me” (Jeremiah 31:33-34).

The disciples of God receive a great peace from the Lord, with the establishment of a beautifully constructed city rooted in righteousness, making Him not only the God of one nation but of all humanity, summoning both free and slave, Greek and barbarian, rich and poor, noble and common, male and female, along with all who society may deem unworthy. We have strayed from brevity to address these extensive aspects, seeking not an earthly treasure, like the Jews or half-Jews, but the heavenly rewards which dwell on the mountain of Christ.

The prophet then shifts his metaphor for greater clarity: and all your children shall be taught by God (Isaiah 54:13). He continues to use figurative language, relating the stones to types of virtue. Here, the tranquility of God is affirmed. The Apostle Paul also referenced this divine plan when he stated, I, as a wise master builder, have laid the foundation (1 Cor 3:10).