Isaiah 66:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

See verses 3. Since, as he states, they were summoned yet did not respond, and failed to listen to the words I conveyed to them—specifically, that “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) and that “whoever believes in me, though he dies, shall live” (John 11:25), as well as “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28)—I will henceforth also declare, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Therefore, moving forward, I will respond to you in a similar manner and I will choose their reproach, meaning those who revile them or express enmity towards them. This refers, of course, to those who laid waste to Judea and set ablaze the once holy and renowned city, namely the Roman leaders. And he states, I will repay them for their transgressions, for what I despised and what I did not desire, I have selected.

I will select their impurities. I will impose upon them the disasters they believed they could evade beneath the cover of their empty altars. The prophet reiterates the same accusation he directed at the Israelites at the outset of his prophecy, a message affirmed by other prophets and the Lord of the prophets. This suggests that their observance of the law's rituals would be futile if they disregarded its commandments, and that constructing a temple for God—who cherishes the human spirit over mere stone—is ultimately meaningless.

Individuals have selected their paths according to their desires, and their souls delight in their idolatrous practices. Thus, I will also select their transgressions and bring upon them the very fears they harbor. For I called out, yet received no reply; I spoke, but they did not listen, committing acts against My heart and opting for what displeased Me. The Septuagint states: They have chosen their own ways, and their spirits yearn for their detestable acts; I will elect their insults and repay them for their sins. I have called them, yet they did not heed My voice; I have spoken, but they did not respond. They perpetrated evil before Me and chose what was not acceptable in My sight.

The Lord laments, "I called, but there was no response; I spoke, yet they did not heed" (Is. 66:4); similarly, the bride expresses her sorrow, "In the night on my bed, I searched for whom my soul loves; I sought him, but I did not find him" (Song of Songs 3:1). In the Thirteenth Discourse of Abba Heremon, addressing the benevolence of God and how divine grace fosters the performance of righteous deeds, it is stated that a virtuous disposition should not solely be ascribed to grace, nor can it be exclusively credited to humanity.