Isaiah 7:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Since the prophet has alluded to matters that are beyond human understanding and extraordinary in contemplation—being a prophecy—he wisely added, “If you do not believe, it is because you lack assurance.” Do not inquire about the how or the means; it is God who brings these things to fruition, and all that is required from you is faith, through which you will comprehend the might of the one who fulfills His promises. You have been granted ample evidence of the truth of these words. Similarly, the prophet David expressed, “I believed, and therefore I have spoken” (Psalm 115:1). Paul echoed this sentiment, applying it to profounder themes: “but having the same spirit of faith, as it is written, ‘I believed and therefore spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak” (2 Cor. 4:13). If the Old Testament, which is as distant from the New Testament as the earth is from the heavens, required faith, how much more so do the lofty truths of doctrine necessitate such belief, truths that have not even entered the minds of people? This is affirmed by the Apostle who says, “But as it is written, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him’” (1 Cor. 2:9).

After Phakaeus also perished in Samaria, he was succeeded by Hosea, son of Elah, a malevolent man who indulged in sinful practices. During Hosea's reign, Salmanassar, king of Assyria, invaded all of Samaria, captured Hosea, and enslaved him. He ravaged the entire region, deporting the children of Israel and settling his own subjects from Hufah and Sepharuim in their place, likely referring to tribes from Persia, as indicated in the annals of the Kings (4 Kings 17:24). The prophet reminds us of this historical account, stating: "And the Lord saith, This counsel shall not remain, neither shall it be fulfilled: but the head of Aram shall be Damascus, and the head of Damascus Raasson: but yet six hundred and five years, the kingdom of Ephraim shall be emptied of men." This intricate phraseology can be interpreted as follows: "The head of Aram, noted as Syria, is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Raasson, signifying that the one who rules over them is the leader of both the country and the city. The kingdom of Ephraim will experience a decline in its population; indeed, for sixty-five years, Ephraim, which represents Israel, shall find itself wanting. Likewise, both the head of Aram, which is Damascus, and the head of Damascus, Raasson, will also diminish. As previously stated, Theglaphelasar conquered Damascus and Raasson, while Salmanassar captured Hosea, the king of Ephraim, also known as Israel, and Somoron or Samaria, a place captured fittingly by the utterance that it will become sparse. The head of Ephraim, Somoron, will become destitute again. Ephraim is labeled as Somorah, or Samaria, because Somorah was the principal city. When referring to Ephraim, it designates Israel. The ruler of Somoron is Phakaeus, son of Romelius. All of this aligns with the prophecy that it will experience scarcity. Additionally, the prophecy states: "And if ye do not believe, ye cannot understand." This assertion is profoundly accurate; those who reject the words of God through disbelief cannot comprehend divine truths. Consequently, it is essential to wholeheartedly accept what God presents and willingly embrace His promises and declarations, for this is the path to a sound understanding and the illumination of His wisdom in our hearts.

Individuals who wish to comprehend the divine Scriptures must possess faith. For as the prophetic declaration reminds us, "unless ye believe, ye cannot understand."

According to the scriptural assertion, "Unless you believe, you will not understand," it is evident that righteousness is linked to faith, while understanding is associated with wisdom. Therefore, individuals who genuinely seek the truth should not be hindered in their enthusiasm but should be properly guided. Thus, starting with faith and grounded in virtuous actions, one can reach the truths they desire.

When you express, "I need to understand in order to believe," my response is, "Believe in order to understand." Let us be reminded by the prophet's words: "Unless you believe, you will not understand."

The mysteries of God’s kingdom are primarily pursued by the faithful, enabling them to gain wisdom. Faith serves as the bridge to understanding, while understanding is the reward for that faith. The prophet cautions those who rush to understand without first grounding themselves in faith.

Moreover, it is the role of reason to acknowledge that in matters of salvation, which may currently surpass our rational grasp but will be understood someday, faith must come before reason. Faith purifies the heart and readies it to receive and reflect the brightness of profound wisdom. The prophet emphasizes this distinction, advising us to believe first so that we may come to understand what we hold in faith. It is, therefore, rightly declared that faith should precede reason. If this instruction lacks rationality, it would indeed seem irrational; yet it's not acceptable to hold such a view. Hence, if it is reasonable that faith should come first regarding matters too great for current understanding, there is a certain reasoning that validates faith, arriving before our belief.

It is essential to trust the Scriptures as they embody the thoughts of God, enabling us to grasp their messages. We are called to transcend mere images and apprehend the deeper truths that they reveal. Initially, we must accept with simple faith that the Scriptures are divinely inspired and beneficial, then engage in a thorough and discerning examination of the insights they offer.

The destruction of the kingdom of Israel by Salmanassar, king of Assyria, occurred during the fifth year of Hezekiah, the successor of Ahaz, twenty years after the prophetic warning had been conveyed. The final exile of the remnant of Israel transpired under the Assyrian-Babylonian king Assargaddon, during the reign of Manasseh. Indeed, 65 years had passed until this event: 15 years of Ahaz, 29 years of Hezekiah, and 21 years of Manasseh. Others, such as Jerome, trace the beginning of the 65 years back to Amos's prophecy regarding the deportation of the Israelites, delivered during the reign of Ozias, king of Judah, 65 years prior to the fall of Samaria. The destinies of kingdoms and nations, including those of Israel, Syria, and Judah, rest in the hands of the Lord Almighty. However, grasping this truth and being completely convinced of it is achievable only through faith. As the Lord states, referencing the skepticism of Ahaz and others who failed to acknowledge the sovereign might and authority of the true God, understanding cannot be attained without belief.