Isaiah 55:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, we might wonder how something that initially seems unattainable becomes achievable for those wishing to shift from worldly desires to a virtuous life. They are hindered by the comfort of their ingrained habits, and their thoughts are shrouded in sorrow, as it is not an easy task to shed the desires of the flesh, nor is the journey toward virtue straightforward for those who yearn for it. When God chooses to make the once impassable pathways smooth, it becomes very feasible for anyone to escape the snares of desire and, with renewed strength, reach the heights of virtue, for it is stated, ‘Mountains are high unto Helen.’ So, what does God pledge to those who trust in Him? I will hasten thy paths and my commandments: with joy shall you depart, and with joy shall you learn. This aligns with a passage in prophetic scripture that affirms the righteousness of the godly path, declaring that the way of the righteous is prepared, and the way of the Lord represents His judgments. Furthermore, another holy prophet proclaims, ‘The ways of the Lord are right, and those who walk in them will find peace, but the wicked will find weariness,’ indicating that unless God eases the ways for them, they cannot walk upon them. As I mentioned, the ability to traverse God's paths and fulfill His commands is a divine gift that allows one to approach Him, as demonstrated when He spoke about the Jewish synagogue: ‘For this reason, I will hedge her paths with thorns, so that she will seek them and not find them.’ Therefore, He affirms, if I will hasten my commandments, with joy shall you depart, meaning you will overcome sorrow and will not be troubled in spirit, having moved away from the passions and into a better, wondrous life; you will learn with joy, delighting in the sacred teachings. This is why the psalmist David declares: Your words are sweeter to my mouth than honey and the honeycomb, enjoying them richly. The joyous departure can also be interpreted as being liberated from prior wickedness, rejoicing with the calling from God. This truth is evident as it states that mountains and hills shall spring forth with joy, and all the trees of the garden shall bloom: instead of the thornbush, the cypress shall grow, and instead of the nettle, the myrtle shall thrive; and the Lord shall be renowned as an everlasting sign and shall not be lacking. The mountains likely symbolize the higher, heavenly powers appointed by God to serve the inhabitants of the earth, as they are ministering spirits sent to aid those striving for salvation, rejoicing over every repentant sinner. It seems appropriate to liken them to mountains based on their inherent virtues that elevate them to the highest stature. The term hills may refer to those in the church who teach and seek the higher truths, while those less exalted are akin to hills in distinction and glory; thus, within the church, there exist various ranks of honor and service. The mountains, he proclaims, along with the hills, will rejoice, celebrating at your transformation and calling as we experience great triumph when any who have strayed from the path of light return to the truth of divine grace. Even the wise Paul encouraged them, saying, ‘Rejoice and crown me!’ Yet, he also mentions that all the trees of the fields shall blossom. The trees represent the laity, as the Savior’s garden is both beautiful and fruitful. Indeed, being adorned with flowers and fruit, the bride in the Song of Songs invites, ‘Let my beloved come into his garden and eat the pleasant fruits.’ Thus, the trees of the mind will flourish with branches: those who have believed rejoice, much like the mountains and hills, embodying those who oversee the laity in their salvation and the divine mysteries illuminating their path. The remarkable transformation in those who are called is further clarified with the promise: instead of the thornbush, the cypress shall emerge, and instead of thistles, the myrtle shall blossom. The thornbush and thistles are bitter weeds that do not flourish in cultivated lands; however, when called into the knowledge of the truth, they cease to be thorns and thistles and instead become splendid, fragrant trees. This great work is the endeavor of Christ, the Lord of the Church: He turns thorns into noble, cherished plants. It is clear from the lives of those once associated with Israel; as Matthew and Paul, previously thickets of sin, transformed into shining examples of Christ’s fragrance amid those being saved and those perishing, as the apostle Paul states. Lastly, may the Giver of all these blessings and their divine orchestrator dwell in ceaseless glory, demonstrated with the assertion that the Lord shall be a name and a sign forever, never lacking. By ‘name,’ he signifies glory, and by ‘sign,’ perhaps the radiance of the cross, through which we are redeemed and shall continuously find grace from Him.

You will be led forth with joy, learning the truth of the gospel after the shadow of the law. The mountains and hills symbolize the angels and the souls of the saints, which are identified, based on their virtues, as mountains and hills. They will rejoice over the repentant, expressing their joy in leaping. The Lord also teaches in the Gospel that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Similarly, all the trees, which are nourished by the streams of water, will yield their fruit in season, and their leaves will not wither (Psalms 1). One of these trees declares in the Psalm, “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God” (Psalms 52:8). Let those who adhere strictly to a literal historical interpretation ponder whether trees can truly wave their branches or clap their hands, and in what way one might understand the rivers that "speak with their hands" (Psalms 97:8). Furthermore, not only will the mountains and hills leap and sing, and all the blessed trees of the field splash their branches, but even the thorns and nettles will transform into cypress and myrtle. As explained by Symmachus and the Seventy, the Hebrew term for thorns translates to herbs that are unpleasant and bitter in taste. In contrast, the LXX translates it as nettles. Regardless of the specific meanings of these names, what we observe is a transformation from evil to good, with virtues emerging from vices—truth replacing iniquity, fortitude replacing recklessness, moderation replacing wastefulness, and prudence replacing folly. Consider those of our heritage: Matthew, Zacchaeus, and the publicans represented thorns and nettles—worthless stumps exuding bitterness and despair, as expressed in "My wounds are foul and festering because of my folly" (Psalms 38:5). Yet, when converted, they became like cypress and myrtle, carrying a sweet fragrance and serving essential purposes. Paul, once a persecutor of the church, when he heard the Lord say, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads" (Acts 9:4-5), was then like a nettle bearing the spikes of persecution. But upon preaching the gospel and proclaiming, "We are to God the aroma of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15), he was rightly likened to cypress and myrtle. The harlots and publicans enter the kingdom of God ahead of the Pharisees, and the thief on the cross is welcomed into paradise (Matthew 21:31). Therefore, the Gospel rightly states that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit (Matthew 7:18), which does not refer to a natural characteristic as some claim, but rather the choice of the will. In light of this, it follows: make the tree good and its fruit good (Matthew 12:33). Thus, it is evident that each individual, through their choices, makes their soul either a good or bad tree, the fruit of which varies. The Lord shall be a name and everlasting sign that endures for those who transform from evil to good, so they may bear the name Christians and be marked by the sign of His cross. Simeon, upon recognizing the Child, proclaims, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign which will be opposed" (Luke 2:34), as it is also written: "The Lord will give you a sign" (Isaiah 7:14), and the psalmist sings: "The Lord has dealt bountifully with me" (Psalms 13:6). He, who is the sign, states: "When you see the sign of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:30), which will never cease or undergo change, but will transition from the present conversion to eternity.

This message is read during the consecration of water on the Feast of the Epiphany, as it initially references the grace of the Holy Spirit in the form of water. The water consecrated on this feast is not merely a symbol but also serves as a channel for the grace of the Holy Spirit.