Isaías 40
Basil of Caesarea · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Isaías 40:6
"The voice of the Lord is on the waters." In many places you might find the word voice occurring. Therefore, for the sake of understanding what the voice of the Lord is, we should gather, as far as we are able, from the divine Scripture what has been said about the voice; for instance, in the divine warning to Abraham: "And immediately the voice came to him: He shall not be your heir." And in Moses: "And all the people saw the voice and the flames." Again in Isaiah: "The voice of one saying, Cry." With us, then, voice is either air that has been struck or some form that is in the air against which he who is crying out wishes to strike. Now, what is the voice of the Lord? Would it be considered the impact on the air? Or air, which has been struck reaching the hearing of him to whom the voice comes? Or neither of these but that this is a voice of another kind, namely, an image formed by the mind of people whom God wishes to hear his own voice, so that they have this representation corresponding to that which frequently occurs in their dreams? Indeed, just as, although the air is not struck, we keep some recollection of certain words and sounds occurring in our dreams, not receiving the voice through our hearing but through the impression on our heart itself, so also we must believe that some such voice from God appeared in the prophets. — HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS 13:3 (PSALM 28)
Isaías 40:6
I want the marvel of creation to gain such complete acceptance from you that, wherever you may be found and whatever kind of plants you may chance on, you may receive a clear reminder of the Creator. First, then, whenever you see a grassy plant or a flower, think of human nature, remembering the comparison of the wise Isaiah, that "all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of humanity as the flower of the grass." For the short span of life and the briefly enduring pleasure and joy of human happiness have found a most apt comparison in the words of the prophet. Today he is vigorous in body, grown fleshy from delicacies, with a flowerlike complexion, in the prime of life, fresh and eager, and irresistible in attack. Tomorrow that same one is piteous or wasted with age or weakened by disease. — HOMILIES ON THE HEXAMERON 5:2
Isaías 40:13-14
"Who has known the mind of the Lord or who rather has been his counselor?" This passage is not merely a rhetorical question. If it were, "who" could not possibly refer to anyone. Rather, the use of "who" indicates a rare personage.… All these questions … have the same answer: "For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing." — ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 5:7
Isaías 40:22-23
"He that stretches out the heavens as a vaulted ceiling." These same thoughts, let us also recommend to ourselves concerning the earth, not to be curious about what its substance is; or to wear ourselves out by reasoning, seeking its very foundation; or to search for some nature destitute of qualities, existing without quality of itself; but to realize well that all that is seen around it is related to the reason of its existence, forming an essential part of its substance. — HOMILIES ON THE HEXAMERON 1:8