Isaiah 8:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"And they shall look up, and shall look to the earth." Can you perceive how they have blasphemed God? They found themselves in agony, overwhelmed with guilt. "And they shall look up," he states, "to the earth," indicating that due to the sins they have committed, they became devoid of meaning. And "behold the scarcity, the narrowness," as well as the "darkness" and fragmentation, "as if they could not see." Yet Aquila does not suggest "as though they could not see," but rather that their morals have become corrupted. Other interpreters assert that they will see darkness with open eyes, meaning that their blinded vision will be incapable of perception. "But the darkness will not always be where now it has thickened," signifying that these afflictions will last for a limited time, allowing you to recognize the futility of idols.

When you look around you, both near and far, or focus your mind's vision, you will perceive nothing but a state of constricted lack and shadow. Hence, you will find it impossible to see anything beneficial, and one who finds himself in such confinement will not grow weaker until the appointed time arrives. This foretells the summons of the nations. For those who currently dwell in tight circumstances and are suffering under the burden of Divine teachings shall not be forsaken, for Immanuel will bestow blessings upon them, providing them with spiritual nourishment and offering a Heavenly feast, beckoning, Eat and drink, and be filled alongside your neighbors (Song of Songs 5:1).

The scripture speaks of those who are led to repentance through challenging circumstances, stating that they will gaze toward the 'heaven of woes.' These individuals, previously burdened and unable to grasp the profound aspects of Divine reflections, will, as if released from their chains, rise above their fixation on worldly matters. They will elevate their liberated gaze to the heavens, pondering the essence of the unseen and spiritual, and understanding where they ought to store their treasures. Subsequently, they will glance down at the earth below and recognize the insignificance of their earthly nature, having once reveled in self-importance.

They will gaze upon... mountains. The prophet refers to the remorseful community of Judah, stating that they ‘shall not oppress the afflicted,’ meaning they will cease to oppress the suffering and vulnerable people of Judah.

During times of tribulation, you shall gaze towards the heavens and then towards the earth, and you will witness distress and gloom, a weakening of the knees, a heavy heart, and obscurity in your sight; there will be no escape from this anguish. This message is directed towards those who will experience the hunger for truth; they will lift their eyes to the heavens and cast their glance down to the earth, encompassed by constraints, darkness, and turmoil, remaining blinded until they turn their hearts to the Lord. These scripture passages invite deep contemplation, yet we are reluctant to produce an extensive examination that might overwhelm our audience. We have only scratched the surface of these texts as rendered in the LXX, which presents notable differences from the Hebrew version. When those misled by you recognize their error and encounter the hunger for the truth, they will futilely search both heaven and earth, perpetually engulfed in darkness and unable to escape your deceptions.

The plight of those experiencing the Lord’s discipline is illustrated as one devoid of assistance. It mirrors the experience of travelers lost in the wilderness, ensnared by a fierce storm. They are unable to see the heavens, obscured by the swirling sands; on the ground, disoriented and without a path, they struggle to find shelter where they can rest and gather sustenance, amidst a profound scarcity. Darkness envelops them, hindering their progress and deepening the sorrow within their souls. The impending disaster facing the people will be so severe that they will not respond positively to those who offer sympathy, but instead will feel weighed down by such compassion, convinced that no one can alleviate their anguish.