Isaiah 58:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore, anyone who rests from their own endeavors—meaning they submit their own desires to divine commandments—experiences a spiritual sabbath and observes a truly holy day. This is the essence of the prophetic message conveyed, which states, “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbaths, thou shalt not do thy desires on the holy day.” The phrase "Turn away thy foot from the Sabbaths" signifies, in my understanding, that one should refrain from pursuing personal desires and pleasing one's own inclinations. Paul wisely affirms that human desires tend to seek pleasure, explaining, “I do not do these good things because I want them, but because I hate them; I see the law in my mind against the law of my mind, and the law of sin, which is in my mind, and captivates me” (Rom. 7:15, 22, 23). He refers to the Sabbaths as delightful Sabbaths, wherein compliance with God’s will prevails over personal desires; indeed, refusing to submit to what God desires manifests a stubbornness and rebelliousness reminiscent of Israel, as illustrated by the words, “We see that thou art hard, and that thy face is of iron, and thy head of brass” (Isaiah 48:4). Those who are obedient and humble in their conduct during the Sabbath display a pleasing inactivity to God; this spiritual sabbath-keeping is where those who aspire to purity refrain from worldly engagements and stay focused on sacred matters, avoiding shameful, impure, and repulsive actions in God’s sight. God commands that even anger and wrath be kept under control and urges a guard over one’s speech: “If thou speakest,” He insists, “words of wrath out of thy mouth.” Thus, by overcoming these two vices, one becomes virtuous in the sight of God, as affirmed by one of the holy apostles, who stated that “If anyone does not sin in the word, he is a perfect man, who is able to restrain the whole body” (James 3:2). The one who conquers anger commands respect, for as it is also written, “A fierce man is ungraceful” (Proverbs 11:25). Therefore, God desires those who engage in a spiritual, holy, and pleasant sabbath to embody gentleness and a multitude of virtues, instructing them not to place their trust in material wealth, worldly authority, or physical prowess—all of which, like the grass of the field, quickly fade away—but rather to trust in the Lord, the sovereign provider of all good things. Those who cultivate such a way of life will receive His reward, as evidenced by His promise: "And He will raise you up to the good things of the earth, and He will make you the inheritance of Jacob your father." The Almighty God promised the Jewish forefathers the land of promise, and they entered under the guidance of Jesus, who followed Moses, the founder of divine worship. However, in the verses just expounded, He pledges to bestow the inheritance promised to the patriarch Jacob as though it had not yet been granted. This is not about a physical inheritance already allotted to them by divine decree, given to Jacob, Abraham, or Isaac; rather, it is the inheritance the Savior indicated, saying, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). God affirms the certainty of this promise with, “The mouth of the Lord hath spoken these things;” it is unfathomable that divine statements remain unfulfilled, for God is truth.

The Lord will uplift you and bring you to the heights and abundance of the earth. The land of the humble and the realm of the living are not below us, but above. This is illustrated in the account of Lot, who, escaping from the plains of Sodom and Gomorrah, was told, "You will be saved in the mountain" (Genesis 19:17). As he arrived, the sun rose before him over Sihor. Of this land, the Lord proclaimed, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).

This scripture encompasses many other teachings we have frequently cited, including the command to honor your father and mother so that you may enjoy long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you (Exodus 20:12), which can seem impossible in practice. Many honor their parents yet do not live long lives, while some parents experience prolonged lives. To highlight that this inheritance refers to a higher realm, we can refer to Psalm 36, which states, The meek shall inherit the earth and shall find joy in the abundance of the world (Psalm 36:11). Further, it continues, Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you; you shall inherit the earth (Psalm 36:34). It is also proclaimed elsewhere, The righteous will inherit the earth and dwell upon it forever (Psalm 36:29). This idea raises the question: if the earthly realm we inhabit were to pass away, how could the righteous reside there eternally? Hence, we understand that the earth in question pertains to heavenly realms.

Moreover, it is affirmed that the Lord will provide you with the inheritance of your forefather Jacob. Just as one who places their faith in Abraham is deemed his child, so too is one who repents and forsakes sins recognized as a son of Jacob, and one who emulates the virtues of another is regarded as their offspring. The treasures of the high heavens, which Jacob's descendants partake in, are those that the eye has not seen nor the ear heard, which do not enter the hearts of men (1 Corinthians 2:9). In the epistle to the Hebrews, it is stated: These individuals seek a homeland; if they had been thinking of the land they left, they would have had an opportunity to return. Instead, they long for a better homeland, a heavenly one (Hebrews 11:14-16). This understanding allows us to reject the notion of an earthly millennium, where concepts of marriage and worldly existence are promised, for in the resurrection, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage, but will be like angels (Matthew 22:30). The Apostle Paul also speaks of the earthly matters: "The belly is for food and the food for the belly, but God will do away with both" (1 Corinthians 6:13). With incorruptible, spiritual, and immortal bodies, we will not return to the vices of our previous mortal flesh. We express this not by denying the true essence of the glorified body, but by acknowledging the complete exclusion of prior sinful behavior in those who are like angels.

Even in our mortal bodies, through fasting, self-denial, and sincere love, we reflect the qualities of angels, while still maintaining the fundamental characteristics of our physical forms. To assure us that these promises will come to fruition, we must trust in God, who has spoken through His word. Just as we understand actions through hands, movement through feet, birthing through the womb, and sensing through eyes and ears, we must also interpret the declarations made through the mouth of God.

Through these practices, it was demonstrated how the divine law drew them away from worldly concerns every Sabbath, as they could no longer attend to the necessities of daily life and instead focus on spiritual service. And He shall raise thee up to the good places of the earth, and shall give thee the blessing of Jacob thy father. And to affirm this, it is stated, The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. He who has made such a promise, assures that He will not lead astray, and will undoubtedly grant you the chance to receive blessings and partake in the abundance that your forebears enjoyed.

The waves surged around me, and the tempests of my circumstances submerged me, leading me to declare sincerely, I have entered into the depths of the waters, and their swift current carries me away (Ps 68:3). Despite all this, I yearn to return to my heart; however, the fleeting distractions of thought prevent my return.

After a thorough and impartial discussion of the matter, one is obligated to choose what is more pleasing to God, even if it runs counter to personal desires and may not satisfy our physical inclinations, as such choices may demand effort and endurance rather than pleasure. Regardless, we are called to pursue God’s will and to prioritize what honors Him above what gratifies our own desires and carnal inclinations. Selfishness, pride, and worldly cravings are always detrimental and lead us closer to spiritual downfall. It is wise to combat these temptations: "If you turn back your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day... then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth" (Isaiah 58:13-14). To further illustrate this point, consider real-life examples. A person suffering from stomach ailments would be advised to refrain from the foods he craves, as they may exacerbate his condition rather than alleviate it. Items such as fresh watermelons, melons, cucumbers, and strong beverages may tempt excessive consumption, ultimately harming digestion for both the ill and the healthy, despite their pleasant taste. Similarly, in our moral choices, we often find ourselves attracted to what entices our physical senses, seeking approval from others through outward appearances and worldly achievements. This focus on temporal pleasures detracts from our spiritual well-being, shifting our attention away from what is eternal and Divine, leading us further from God and into a state of moral peril.