Isaiah 40:15-31 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Isaiah 40:15-31. Let’s go!
Isaiah 40:15-17 (NIV)
15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.
On verses 15-17: The biggest theme coming out of verses 15-28 is that God is the incomparable one. Nothing can compare to Him. The nations can’t compare to Him (v15-17). Even Lebanon, which is a fertile, wooded area of Judah, lacks the wood or animals needed to bring the size of offering that God deserves (v16).
Isaiah 40:18-22 (NIV)
18 To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to?
19 As for an idol, a craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it.
20 A man too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot. He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple.
21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
On verses 18-22: Idols can’t compare to God (v18). Whereas idols are the creations of people (v19-20), God is the creator of the earth (v21-22). Whereas idols are temporary, God has been there from the beginning, “since the earth was founded” (v21).
Isaiah 40:23-25 (NIV)
23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
On verses 23-25: Human rulers cannot compare to God (v23-25). Building on images from verse 6, Isaiah pictures human rulers like grass that withers soon after being planted. Why put your trust in people who will not last? Place your trust in the everlasting God, says Isaiah.
Isaiah 40:26-28 (NIV)
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
On verses 26-28: Another big theme in Isaiah, especially Isaiah 40-66 is that God is the Creator. God is a detail-oriented Creator. He even has a name for each star and places each one in the universe purposefully (v26). If God is that careful and detail-oriented with stars, Isaiah suggests, God is also careful and detail-oriented with His people. For the Jewish exiles in Babylon, or us today, who complain that “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God” (v27), Isaiah is showing how silly such complaining is. For God is our Creator, everlasting, never tiring, and understanding in ways that we can’t even see (v28).
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
On verses 29-31: As massive as our universe is, as even more massive as God is, still God has a heart to give strength to weak and weary people. “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you think of him?” (Psalm 8:4)
How does God renew our strength? God renews our strength when we hope in Him, wait on Him, spend time with Him, and draw near to Him (v31). When we spend quality time with God we can come away feeling refreshed, ready to walk, run, and even soar again.
Creator God, no one compares with You, not just in terms of Your size, power and greatness, but in terms of Your love, care and compassion. What are we that You would think of us and care for us, even wanting to renew our strength? Never have I felt that way toward an ant, and yet You feel that way toward us though we are much smaller than ants to You. Thank You that as I hope in You I will renew my strength. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
