Isaiah 9:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Such thoughts belong to those who do not know God and who, in their ignorance, dismiss the prophets' words while intending to erect enduring structures. And now, O man, for whom do you construct these lasting monuments? You will soon leave this earthly realm; today or tomorrow your body will perish—who will inherit the edifices you have built? How profound is such folly! You may argue that you care for your children and family. Yet, far superior to buildings and monuments are the directives that Jonadab the Rechabite imparted to his offspring: ‘And ye shall not do this, nor introduce such practices’ (Jeremiah 35:7); but you, on the other hand, would, if given the chance, lead them into even greater disasters: this is your ambition, thus tethering them to this fleeting world. Let us raise up a column for ourselves; they do not say ‘for our descendants or for future generations,’ but rather ‘for ourselves;’ the prophet, they claim, is deranged and does not comprehend his own words. And they construct towers, not for habitation, but for the sake of pride and display. Do you see how, in their arrogance, they have provoked God’s anger? Yet, He declares, it is not merely for this reason but for the sake of the Jewish people that I will bring judgment upon them.”

They laid waste to Samaria and led Israel into captivity, taking them away to the mountains of Persia and Midian. Thus, as I previously noted, concluding his remarks on Immanuel, the prophet revisits his original intent and recounts the devastation of Samaria, declaring, ‘Death sent upon Jacob, and came upon Israel.’ It is noteworthy that certain Hebrews and other interpreters substitute ‘death’ for ‘The word the Lord sent upon Jacob, and came upon Israel.’ What word is this? Clearly, it refers to the word that condemns the wicked and disciplines those who abandon Him in favor of the creations of their own making. Regardless of whether it was death or the word that God sent, the essence remains similar, serving a common purpose. At this point, it is essential to recall the recorded historical events, which I will summarize briefly, as understanding these will clarify the subsequent explanations.

The bilberry tree, while immensely fruitful, yields completely bland fruit unless one skillfully extracts its pleasant juice. Thus, I view this tree as a representation of pagan society, populous yet diminished in wisdom due to indulgence in pagan customs; yet, if one can skillfully engage with it through the Word, it can transform and provide sweetness, becoming beneficial. Cedars often symbolize noble souls, noted for their praiseworthy impulses, as they are supremely wise and reside in heavenly realms. This is affirmed in the Psalms, where David notes cedars among those offering praise to God, stating: "The trees bear fruit and all cedars" (Ps. 148:9) and also, "The trees of the field, the cedars of Lebanon, you planted them" (Ps. 103:16). However, cedars may also represent rigid and unyielding behaviors, "which carry the mind of God" (2 Cor. 10:5). Therefore, "the Lord breaks down the cedars of Lebanon" (Ps. 28:5). Those who elevate themselves through false wisdom, believing they grasp the mysteries of the Most High, are similarly described as cedars. "I have seen the wicked lifted up and elevated like the cedars of Lebanon," yet their destruction is swift (Ps. 36:35-36). These cedars were chosen for the construction of the pillar by those in Samaria who lived in contempt, ridiculing the Jewish faith, referring to all established on their doctrines as "fallen foundations."

They aim to construct a temple in Samaria modeled after God’s own temple; yet, while they venture forth from the east, proclaiming, “Come, let us build ourselves a pillar, and let us make a name for ourselves lest we be scattered” (Genesis 11:4).

Thus, four tables are established, representing faith, life, patience, and mercy drawn from the virtues of the saints, serving as a model for the nations that follow. This creates a vestibule enriched with tables, signifying that the people can possess the virtues upon which they have ignited the sacrifice of prayer to Almighty God within their hearts. The actions of the faithful nations towards the holy Church reflect what they have gleaned from the lives of their heralds. What would serve as a vestibule for the tables if it had not been provided with hewn stones? Would you care to see examples of each?

Here is an instance of faith: "to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). Do you seek to understand life? "The world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal. 6:14). Would you like to learn about patience? "To this day we endure hunger and thirst, and nakedness and beatings, and wander, and labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we pray" (1 Cor. 4:11-13).

For our protection, the Israelites declare, we will erect a tower in every city, a formidable stronghold, constructed not from fragile clay bricks, but from carefully hewn stones, and the wooden components of the fortress will be made not solely from sycamores, but from cedars as well; together they will create a structure that is both sturdy and beautiful. The buildings of the cities made from fragile foundations are dismal, yet our fortress will rise splendidly in the sight of our enemies and withstand their assaults.