Isaiah 57:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is poignantly expressed by the Almighty through the prophet Jeremiah, who proclaimed, “Have you seen what the house of Israel has done to me? They went up into every high mountain, and under every leafy tree, and gathered them together” (Jeremiah 3:6). They occupied the heights of the mountains and the most favorable spots to establish altars and places of worship, where they made offerings and libations to unclean spirits and showed no compassion even toward their own offspring. Thus did Jechoniah sacrifice his son to the supposed gods. Concerning this, God, through one of His holy prophets, reveals the cruelty of the wicked: “devour men, for the calves are scarce” (Hosea 13:2). So you, he implies, pray to the idol beneath the tree of the frequent, while burying your children in the underbrush among the stones. What follows from this? That is your rightful portion; this is your destiny. If, he states, you have bowed down to falsehood, then such shall be your end, and your destiny will be emptiness. Alternatively, he may be indicating something else: you have slain your children in the wilderness, and for this, your fate shall mirror the same suffering and destruction that you have wrought. Why is this so? First, because you have become murderers of your own children; and second, because you have offered libations to unclean spirits and lifeless idols, bringing sacrifices to them. Therefore, he asks, shall I not be justified in my anger against these actions? Is not my wrath against you well warranted, and is there not sufficient ground for your punishment? Upon the high and exalted mountain, there is your resting place, where you have made your offerings; and behind the hedges of your doors, you have kept your memories alive. The prophetic word frequently reminds us that they laid down on the mountains to pursue dreams. It is noted that the Israelites strayed to such an extent that they inscribed images of idols on their doors and doorposts, ensuring that as they entered and exited their homes, they would constantly behold them and remember them. All of this clearly demonstrates a profound level of impiety; they referred to these various images of idols as saviors and helpers.

Moses, speaking from the prophetic spirit, declared on behalf of the Lord in the song of Deuteronomy, “They have provoked Me with foreign gods and have stirred My anger with their abominations. They have sacrificed to demons, not to God” (Deuteronomy 32:16-17). They chose to do so willingly, for it is in our power to choose between good and evil. Thus, it is also said to those who dedicate themselves to God through their virtues: “Choose for yourselves our inheritance, the goodness of Jacob that you cherish” (Psalm 46:5). Furthermore, it is proclaimed, “For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is His allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9). In the Acts of the Apostles, it is recorded that many committed themselves to the cause of Paul and Silas (Acts 17). Therefore, those who belong to the Lord, like the Levites, will share a portion with Him and echo David’s words: “The Lord is my portion” (Psalm 72:26). This can also be understood in the context of heretics, who, having abandoned the fear of God, honor the idols of their falsehoods, making sacrifices and drink offerings to them—engaging in acts that are unworthy even of mention, leading astray foolish women burdened with sins, driven by diverse desires, always seeking knowledge yet never arriving at the truth (2 Timothy 3:6). Hence, given that such iniquities and others are perpetrated by the wicked, can we not conclude that God righteously harbors anger towards them?