Isaiah 9:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet, this illumination is not perceived by the physical eye, but rather through the eyes of the heart and intellect. You will increase the multitude of people and deepen their joy. They will celebrate in Your presence. The Lord alone finds joy in the salvation of those who have been freed: He regards the cross as a source of joy. He will exult before You, as harvesters rejoice in their yield. Just as they delight in the fruits of the fields during harvest time, so too will they discover all things prepared for them, though achieved through labor and struggle. They will rejoice as those sharing in the spoils, for they will no longer be burdened by defeat but will revel only in matters that are free from worry.

These words can be understood in two ways. Firstly, the rejoice of those celebrating the harvest and those partaking in the bounty may refer to the Divine disciples. In this regard, they gather the converts from the Gentiles, akin to collecting bread into the Lord's granary, cleansing them from old errors, and rejoicing like those who gather in the fields. Secondly, reflecting the act of rescuing those misled by Satan from his tormenting grasp and leading them through faith to holiness, they rejoice as if they were dividers of the spoils; for many of them were misled and now possess the treasures of salvation, having triumphed over the spoils of conflict.

Alternatively, this could pertain to those who have come to believe, understood such that they, having previously had no fruits of truth in the midst of deception, became enriched through faith in Christ; having been besieged and robbed by demons and Satan, they, through Christ, vanquished those who had long amassed spoils and demonstrated greater skill in their cruelty. For this reason, they rejoice, as the prophet states, like those who celebrate the harvest and allocate the spoils.

Consequently, on the day of judgment, those who have embraced the Word, produced fruits consistent with their calling, and received their due from the Just Judge will "rejoice like those who rejoice in the harvest, and like those whose actions are motivated by their self-interest." The joy of those who celebrate the harvest stems from their own diligent efforts, while those who have gained material wealth find themselves unexpectedly enriched. Thus, the Prophet highlights both these blessings—the rewards we will earn and the gifts that will be granted by the grace of the Generous One.

The oppressive yoke upon them shall be removed, and the rod from their neck; the rod of their oppressors will be broken, as it was on the day of Midian. All garments acquired through deceit and every traded garment will be surrendered and wished to be burned in the fire.

In places of darkness, we present both translations, that the observant reader might discern the differences between the Vulgate and the other manuscripts, as well as the Hebrew text. An appeal is directed to the luminous presence that shone upon those dwelling in darkness, which refers to the Lord and Savior, who acknowledges: You have multiplied the nations and filled all peoples with knowledge of You; yet their joy has not increased—echoing the words of the apostle who expressed his unending sorrow for his fellow Israelites. Jonah lamented the salvation of the Ninevites while mourning the wilting of the gourd. The Lord Himself proclaims in the Gospel: I am only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and amidst His suffering: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. The interpretation of this passage suggests that if it were possible for the multitude of the Gentiles to believe without the ruin of the Jews, then He would reject suffering; however, if their hearts are hardened so that all nations might see, then let it unfold according to Your will, Father.

When Christ appears, and the Christian people emerge from every nation, the apostles will rejoice like harvesters, as the Lord said, The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few, and as victors exult when they share the spoils; for when the strong man is restrained, his entire household is plundered, and his riches are divided. The LXX indicates that not everyone, but a portion of the people believed. While they phrase it as the majority of the people You have brought forth in joy, they also suggest that You have increased. The LXX maintains the same sense in the remainder but adds that the adversary will relinquish the garments acquired through cunning and those that were bartered; this implies that the enemy will abandon souls, stripped of divine assistance, with their former adornments, and not just himself but his legions of demons who, if given a choice, would choose to perish in the flames rather than let go of their prize.

The depth of their joy and rejoicing can be likened to the happiness of harvesters who rejoice in the fruits of their labor, expressing gratitude to God, and to the exultation of victorious soldiers who, having overcome the foe, share in the abundance they have seized.