Isaiah 65:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He presents a striking analogy, using the example of a vine where one berry remains, even as others are seen; then he mentions the vinedresser who remarks, You shall not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it. I will act for the sake of my servant, meaning, I will exercise such wisdom that if in any city the others are falling into disregard, but even one remains faithful and obedient, that one will be spared and will not be put at risk with the others, who will face just retribution; for, He asserts, I will not annihilate them all. Indeed, the wrath of the Lord swiftly came upon the proud Jews, destroying the unfaithful, yet by divine providence, those among them who were worthy of salvation through Christ were rescued. Just as the apostolic Paul expresses, according to the election of grace (Romans 11:5), judgment and choice were enacted, so that only a remnant of Israel from the entire Jewish nation was drawn into faith (Romans 27). Thus, I will not annihilate them all, He declares, but I will preserve the seed of Jacob and of Judah. Understand this as not intending destruction, but rather to elevate and make them distinguished, for ‘to destroy’ (ἐξαίρειν) can also signify ‘to exalt’ (ὑψοῦν). Such were, I mean, in their glory, the apostolic disciples, elevated and visible to all, as a city set on a hill, or a lamp placed on a stand, shining to all in the house, as the Savior Himself said (Matthew 5:14-15). And this seed, He says, from Jacob and Judah, shall inherit my holy mountain, signifying the church. This is how the wise Isaiah refers to it elsewhere, describing those who, through faith in Christ, are called to partake in His divine nature, where they will experience joy, partake in the rich blessings, and be anointed on this mountain: proclaim this to all nations; this is the message for all peoples (Isaiah 25:6-7). On this mountain, He says, shall lie the inheritance of My chosen ones, among whom shall dwell all who willingly submit to the reign of My kingdom. It would not be inappropriate to describe this mountain as the ultimate city, the heavenly Jerusalem, where the saints’ inheritance resides, and where God grants them blessings beyond comprehension; for it is said, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor have the thoughts of man conceived, the things which God hath prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor. 2:9).

Those who are referred to as a seed in a vine, or a grape, now find their identity in the lineage of Jacob and Judah, who possess His mountains. Many interpret this seed of Jacob and Judah to represent Christ, of whom it is noted in Genesis, “Judah, your brothers shall praise you” (Genesis 49:8). Indeed, the Savior was born of the tribe of Judah. Others believe that this refers to the Apostles, to whom it has been noted, “The remnant shall be saved” (Romans 9:27), and “If the Lord of hosts had not left us a remnant, we would be like Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isaiah 1:9). They have taken possession of the mountain of the Lord, expressing through the consciousness of Christ within them: “Come to the mountain of Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22). The Psalms sing of His mountains, stating, “The mountains surround Him; the Lord surrounds His people” (Psalms 124:2) and “His foundations are on the holy mountains” (Psalms 86:1). The Lord’s elect will inherit Zion, and His servants will dwell therein. As written: “The seed of Abraham are His servants; the sons of Jacob are His chosen ones” (Psalms 104:6). Therefore, anyone who remains a seed and has not yet transformed into a son is a servant of the Lord, to whom He declares in the Gospel (John 8): “I know you are Abraham’s seed, but you are not yet sons. If you were Abraham’s seed, you would do the works of Abraham.” The one who is a son is also chosen by the Lord. Thus, the elect inherit Jerusalem, and the servants reside there. Of the difference between sons and servants, it is said, “You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15).

He states that there shall be fields or oak groves as pastures for the herds. In the Hebrew text, Saron replaces the term for plains. The region surrounding Lydda, Joppa, and Jamnia is suitable for herds. The Acts of the Apostles declare, “The forests shall be turned into sheep pastures,” aligning with the Psalm which notes, “The voice of the Lord shakes the cedars and strips the bark from the oaks” (Psalms 28:9). The voice of the Lord aims to clear away the thickets of the forests, allowing robbers and wild beasts to cease hiding there and transforming areas once marked by wickedness and bloodshed into places of worship for the Lord, where the flocks of the One who laid down His life for His sheep may graze. Of Him, it is written, “He will shepherd us forever” (Ezekiel 34).

The Lord’s voice, which shakes the cedars and opens the forests, calls out through John in the wilderness: “The axe is laid at the root of the tree. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:10). Furthermore, “Every valley shall be filled” (Luke 3:5), and now it is also stated: the valley of Achor will be a resting place for oxen and serener for My people who have sought Me. In the book of Joshua’s son, it recounts that Achan was killed for taking from the devoted things and from the spoils of Jericho, resulting in his downfall and the confusion he brought upon the people; the place of his demise was named Achor, meaning trouble or disturbance. Therefore, the valley of Achor, which once bore a curse and punishment, has now become a place of peace for the oxen. Paul further elucidates this (1 Corinthians 9): “Does God care for oxen? Is He not speaking about us? For whoever plows must plow in hope, and whoever threshes must do so with the expectation of receiving.” The prophet Hosea speaks of this valley: “I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her heart” (Hosea 2:14-15). The valley of Achor is bestowed upon the oxen of God’s people for this purpose, and valleys transformed into pastures signify the revelation and understanding of the truth of the Lord.