Isaiah 57:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The holy city referenced here is, in my view, the highest city, the heavenly Jerusalem, the beautiful dwelling place of the saints. The divine author of the Psalms asks, ‘Who shall ascend to the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in His holy place?’ The answer is, those with clean hands and pure hearts (Psalm 28:3, 4). Thus, for all who cling to God, the sacred land and glorious mountain will be their inheritance. This also seems to refer to those of the Jewish nation who believed in Him; they were the pioneers among His divine disciples, characterized by steadfast love, unwavering faith, complete obedience, and tireless love. Consequently, it is written, ‘Who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword?’ (Rom. 8:35). They became heirs of the kingdom of heaven and received the highest land reserved for the meek. The term ‘meek’ applies to those who live according to the Gospel; Christ instructs them not to harbor anger or seek revenge against those who offend them, but rather to strive to do good to their enemies: He commands, Do good to your foes and pray for those who harm you; if someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other (Matthew 5:39, 44). All of this exemplifies profound longsuffering and humility. Moreover, to those who have inherited the land and holy mountain, it will be said, Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight (Isaiah 40:3). The preparation involves removing barriers from the paths of my people, meaning that the way of salvation through faith should be made smooth and accessible, free of any hindrances. The law of Moses offered no forgiveness and was difficult to fulfill; we all fall short, and none can claim to keep it perfectly. Hence, the divine disciples admonished those who, after embracing faith, sought to revert to the law’s constraints, declaring, ‘Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the disciples that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?’ (Acts 15:10). Paul explained that the law was established because of transgressions; it serves as a reminder of sin, and those who disobey it face judgment and condemnation, making adherence a daunting challenge. Yet, He calls forth a way, that is, the empowering presence of the Gospel, which leads to genuine service. God further instructed the holy keepers of the mystery, ‘Go through my gates, and set the stones in the path’ (Isaiah 62:10), meaning to clear every obstacle from the path leading to God through spiritual engagement and joyous faith.

Hence, should trouble arise and you begin to raise your hands, not to the idols you have revered, but to heaven, and plead with God for aid; let those whom you have honored in peaceful times listen to you and deliver you from peril.’ This sentiment is echoed by God in Jeremiah: Where are your gods that you have made? Let them arise and rescue you in the time of your anger (Jeremiah 2:28). Rather than the translation provided by the Seventy, "Let them deliver you in your affliction," and our phrasing of "Let your gathered ones save you," Symmachus rendered it, "Let your synagogues deliver you." Thus, it specifically addresses the Jews, indicating that their synagogues cannot provide salvation during a siege. All will be carried away by the wind, scattered with a mere gust. Yet, the one who trusts in Me will inherit the earth and possess My holy city. I will instruct: Make a way, create a path, provide a passage, remove obstacles from the path of My people. The Septuagint states: For they will all be scattered by the wind and swept away by the storm. But those who place their hope in Me shall inherit the land and possess My holy mountain, saying, Prepare the way for Him, and clear the path for My people. The Jews contend that this foresees the Babylonians; when they are vanquished by God’s might, the people will return to Judah, reclaiming the city of Zion, with all impediments removed from their path, as the Lord shall make the way smooth for His people. It is asserted that this was fulfilled during Zerubbabel and Ezra’s time. However, we connect these statements with the preceding context, affirming that all idols, which could not deliver, are taken away by the wind and the storm, reduced to dust that the wind sweeps from the earth. Yet those who place their hope in the Lord will inherit the earth, as we will find in this same prophet, 'He will elevate you to the good things of the earth.' Therefore, it is evident that this land pertains not to earthly matters but to the spiritual realm above. It is there that the Lord will raise the righteous, leading to the affirmations we often mention: Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5), and: I am confident I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 26:13). The holy city of God refers to the one spoken of by the author of Hebrews, who states: You have come to Mount Zion and to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God, and to numerous angels and the church of the firstborn, inscribed in heaven (Hebrews 12:22). Under the earthly mountain of the Lord, which the saints will inherit, we may also refer to the sacred Scriptures, which shall be taken from the Jews, as the Lord warns: The kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to those who produce its fruit (Matthew 21:43), so they might discover in them the mountain about which we read in this same prophet and in Micah: the mountain of the Lord shall be revealed in the last days (Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1). The Lord Himself instructed the apostles and all church leaders to interpret and resolve every perplexing matter, paving the way for understanding and removing all temptations, so that the Lord’s people might grasp what they read with clarity and grow in the fear of God. John the Baptist echoed this call for preparation: Prepare the way of the Lord, etc. (Matthew 3:3). While we use the name of God, the Septuagint uses they will say, referring to those who will inherit the land and receive the holy mountain of God. They will not be content with their own salvation but will also invite other nations to learn from them. Symmachus translated this passage, stating that he who trusts in Me shall inherit the land and possess My holy mountain, and shall declare, Make the path straight, enabling the one who holds the land and mountain to teach others, preparing the way of the Lord.