Isaiah 66:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In their simplicity, He says, I will tenderly care for those who are still growing in understanding, ensuring they lack nothing essential for their peace. As they are nurtured in such a manner and enveloped by every form of compassion and grace, in due time, you will behold the exalted city, the heavenly Jerusalem, and your heart will overflow with joy, and your bones will flourish like fresh grass. For the dead shall rise, and the grave shall yield its bounty, having been revitalized by Christ with the life-giving spirit. The Psalmist also speaks to the Lord about those who rest in the dust, proclaiming, “After thy spirit, they shall arise, and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.” Indeed, much like the plants that wither and fade only to bloom again with the arrival of spring, so too will the remains of the deceased, buried in the earth, revive during the time of the resurrection by the unfathomable power of God, for, as previously mentioned, they will be raised. Then the hand of the Lord will be made evident to those who revere Him. This hand signifies our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things exist and in whom all things hold together. Through Him, the resurrection of the dead will be realized once more. This is a testament to His divine power: not only can He bring into existence what once did not exist, but He can also renew and restore to its original splendor that which has succumbed to decay.

Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15). This theme resonates with the Gospel, where the Lord laments over Jerusalem, saying, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing” (Matt. 23:37). Additionally, Deuteronomy illustrates this idea: “As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings” (Deuteronomy 32:11). Experts on animal behavior note that all creatures—mammals, birds—exhibit an inherent love for their offspring, but the eagle's love is unparalleled as it makes its nest in high, unassailable locations to keep its young safe from snakes. Among eagle chicks, there is often found a stone of amethyst, which possesses an ability to counteract poison. If this holds true, then it is fitting to compare God's love for His creation to that of the eagle, who vigilantly guards its young from the dragon and ancient serpent, lest the Devil and Satan harm the new children, affirming that by the name of the stone laid at Zion's foundation, all plots of the adversary will be crushed. This Jerusalem, where children find comfort from their mother and are nurtured in tenderness, is the one referred to by the apostle: “But the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all” (Galatians 4:26). Overflowing with the milk of this consolation, the apostle offered comfort to others in need, declaring: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When they are consoled, it will be proclaimed: “You will see, and your heart will rejoice, and your bones will flourish like grass” or, as Symmachus puts it, “sprout” or “thrive” (John 16:22). They will undoubtedly behold God, which constitutes true joy. Of such, the Lord stated: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). The act of seeing Him represents the ultimate joy experienced by a heart filled with complete faith, followed by the flourishing of the bones previously discussed. If the reader has overlooked this point, let them return to the earlier interpretation. It is preferable for them to revisit what has been conveyed than for us to reiterate what has already been explained. The hand of the Lord will be recognized, he affirms, among His enemies, and will intimidate those who refuse to believe. The hand symbolizes power, as God is fully capable of fulfilling every promise made, paralleling what Moses said to Pharaoh: “For if I stretch out My hand and strike you and your people with pestilence, you will be cut off from the earth” (Ex. 9:15). Moses also warned the same tyrant: “Behold, the hand of the Lord will be on your cattle” (Exodus 9:3), to which the Psalmist remarked: “Your hand has consumed like fire” (Psalms 43:3). Alternatively, the "hand of the Lord" can be interpreted as Christ, of whom it is written: “My hand has laid the foundation of the earth” (Isaiah 41:20). The Lord will reveal this to His faithful servants, making known His threats to those who do not believe, promising rewards to some and punishment to others. It is noteworthy that He did not say: “He will punish His enemies,” but rather “He will threaten them,” so that through this fear, they may turn back to serve the Lord.