Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Isaiah 1:20

Eastern Fathers

Justin Martyr

And that expression, "The sword shall devour you," does not mean that the disobedient shall be slain by the sword, but the sword of God is fire, of which they who choose to do wickedly become the fuel. Wherefore He says, "The sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." And if He had spoken concerning a sword that cuts and at once despatches, He would not have said, shall devour.

The First Apology, Chapter XLIV ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

56. But if you will not. He sets out the punishment for contempt. And first, he sets out the contempt, saying: but if you will not: as I purposed to afflict you, when your fathers had provoked me to wrath (Zech 8:14). Second, he threatens the sword of vengeance: the sword shall devour you: I will draw out a sword after them. And I will accomplish my fury, and will cause my indignation to rest upon them (Ezek 5:12–13). …

Commentary on Isaiah ↗