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Isaiah 40:12
Verse
Context
Here Is Your God!
11He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes. 12Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance? 13Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor?
Sermons
Leonard Ravenhill
Chuck SmithChuck Smith
Carl Armerding
William MacDonaldChuck SmithSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
In order to bring His people to the full consciousness of the exaltation of Jehovah, the prophet asks in Isa 40:12, "Who hath measured the waters with the hollow of his hand, and regulated the heavens with a span, and taken up the dust of the earth in a third measure, and weighed the mountains with a steelyard, and hills with balances?" Jehovah, and He alone, has given to all these their proper quantities, their determinate form, and their proportionate place in the universe. How very little can a man hold in the hollow of his hand (shō‛al)! (Note: The root שׁל, Arab. sl has the primary meaning of easily moving or being easily moved; then of being loose or slack, of hanging down, or sinking-a meaning which we meet with in שׁעל and שׁאל. Accordingly, shō‛al signifies the palm (i.e., the depression made by the hand), and she'ōl not literally a hollowing or cavity, but a depression or low ground.) how very small is the space which a man's span will cover! how little is contained in the third of an ephah (shâlı̄sh; see at Psa 80:6)! and how trifling in either bulk or measure is the quantity you can weight in scales, whether it be a peles, i.e., a steelyard (statera), or mō'zenayim, a tradesman's balance (bilances), consisting of two scales. (Note: According to the meaning, to level or equalize, which is one meaning of pillēs, the noun peles is applied not only to a level used to secure equilibrium, which is called mishqeleth in Isa 28:17, but also to a steelyard used for weighing, the beam of which consists of a lever with unequal arms, which flies up directly the weight is removed.) But what Jehovah measures with the hollow of His hand, and with His span, is nothing less than the waters beneath and the heavens above. He carries a scoop, in which there is room for all the dust of which the earth consists, and a scale on which He has weighed the great colossal mountains.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Lest the Jews should suppose that He who was just before described as a "shepherd" is a mere man, He is now described as GOD. Who--Who else but GOD could do so? Therefore, though the redemption and restoration of His people, foretold here, was a work beyond man's power, they should not doubt its fulfilment since all things are possible to Him who can accurately regulate the proportion of the waters as if He had measured them with His hand (compare Isa 40:15). But MAURER translates: "Who can measure," &c., that is, How immeasurable are the works of God? The former is a better explanation (Job 28:25; Pro 30:4). span--the space from the end of the thumb to the end of the middle finger extended; God measures the vast heavens as one would measure a small object with his span. dust of the earth--All the earth is to Him but as a few grains of dust contained in a small measure (literally, "the third part of a larger measure"). hills in a balance--adjusted in their right proportions and places, as exactly as if He had weighed them out.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand?.... The following account of the power, wisdom, and all sufficiency of God, and which is to be understood of Christ, is to show that he is equal to the work of redemption and salvation he has engaged in, and was about to come and perform, and that he is able to do it, as well as to execute his office as a shepherd; and also to observe, that though his rich grace and goodness he had condescended to take upon him the work of a saviour, and the office of a shepherd, yet this was not to be interpreted as if he had lost his dignity and glory as a divine Person, or as if that was in the least diminished; for he was no other than that infinite Being, "who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand"; the waters of the seas, for which he has provided a receptacle, where he has collected and put them together; the dimensions of which are exactly known to him, and the vast confluence of water is no more in his hands than so much water as a man can hold in the hollow of his hand, in his fist, or hand contracted: and meted out heaven with the span; which he has stretched out as a curtain, Isa 40:22, and the measure of which is but one hand's breadth with him; and is no more to him than stretching out a carpet or canopy; and as easily measured by him as a piece of cloth is by a man with the span of his hand, or any measuring rule or yard: and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure; the word (r) used signifies the third part of some larger measure, as of a sextarius, as some; or of an ephah, or bath as others; or of some other measure not known; See Gill on Psa 80:5. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, "with three fingers"; and the sense may be, that the dust of the earth, or the earth itself, which is but dust, is no more with the Lord than so much earth or dust as a man can hold between his thumb and two fingers; and in like manner is the whole earth comprehended by the Lord: and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance; as easily as a man can throw in his goods into a pair of scales, and take the true weight of them, with equal ease did the Lord raise the mountains and the hills in a proper proportion, and has so exactly poised them, as if he had weighed them in a pair of scales; this seems to hint at the use of mountains and hills to be a sort of ballast to the earth, and shows the original formation of them from the beginning. The answer to the above question is, that it was the same divine Person of whom it is said, "behold your God, and who should come with a strong hand, and feed his flock." (r) "in mensura ternaria", Montanus; "trientali", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Vitringa.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
The scope of these verses is to show what a great and glorious being the Lord Jehovah is, who is Israel's God and Saviour. It comes in here, 1. To encourage his people that were captives in Babylon to hope in him, and to depend upon him for deliverance, though they were ever so weak and their oppressors ever so strong. 2. To engage them to cleave to him, and not to turn aside after other gods; for there are none to be compared with him. 3. To possess all those who receive the glad tidings of redemption by Christ with a holy awe and reverence of God. Though it was said (Isa 40:9), Behold your God, and (Isa 40:11) He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, yet these condescensions of his grace must not be thought of with any diminution to the transcendencies of his glory. Let us see how great our God is, and fear before him; for, I. His power is unlimited, and what no creature can compare with, much less contend with, Isa 40:12. 1. He has a vast reach. View the celestial globe, and you are astonished at the extent of it; but the great God metes the heavens with a span; to him they are but a hand-breadth, so large-handed is he. View the terraqueous globe, and he has the command of that too. All the waters in the world he can measure in the hollow of his hand, where we can hold but a little water; and the dry land he easily manages, for he comprehends the dust of the earth in a measure, or with his three fingers; it is no more to him than a pugil, or that which we take up between our thumb and two fingers. 2. He has a vast strength, and can as easily move mountains and hills as the tradesman heaves his goods into the scales and out of them again; he poises them with his hand as exactly as if he weighed them in a pair of balances. This may refer to the work of creation, when the heavens were stretched out as exactly as that which is spanned, and the earth and waters were put together in just proportions, as if they had been measured, and the mountains made of such a weight as to serve for ballast to the globe, and no more. Or it may refer to the work of providence (which is a continued creation) and the consistency of all the creatures with each other. II. His wisdom is unsearchable, and what no creature can give either information or direction to, Isa 40:13, Isa 40:14. As none can do what God has done and does, so none can assist him in the doing of it or suggest any thing to him which he thought not of. When the Lord by his Spirit made the world (Job 26:13) there was none that directed his Spirit, or gave him any advice, either what to do or how to do it. Nor does he need any counsellor to direct him in the government of the world, nor is there any with whom he consults, as the wisest kings do with those that know law and judgment, Est 1:13. God needs not to be told what is done, for he knows it perfectly; nor needs he be advised concerning what is to be done, for he knows both the right end and the proper means. This is much insisted upon here, because the poor captives had no politicians among them to manage their concerns at court or to put them in a way of gaining their liberty. "No matter," says the prophet, "you have a God to act for you, who needs not the assistance of statesmen." In the great work of our redemption by Christ matters were concerted before the world was, when there was one to teach God in the path of judgment, Co1 2:7. III. The nations of the world are nothing in comparison of him, Isa 40:15, Isa 40:17. Take them all together, all the great and mighty nations of the earth, kings the most pompous, kingdoms the most populous, both the most wealthy; take the isles, the multitude of them, the isles of the Gentiles: Before him, when they stand in competition with him or in opposition to him, they are as a drop of the bucket compared with the vast ocean, or the small dust of the balance (which does not serve to turn it, and therefore is not regarded, it is so small) in comparison with all the dust of the earth. He takes them up, and throws them away from him, as a very little thing, not worth speaking of. They are all in his eye as nothing, as if they had no being at all; for they add nothing to his perfection and all-sufficiency. They are counted by him, and are to be counted by us in comparison of him, less than nothing, and vanity. When he pleases, he can as easily bring them all into nothing as at first he brought them out of nothing. When God has work to do he values not either the assistance or the resistance of any creature. They are all vanity; the word that is used for the chaos (Gen 1:2), to which they will at last be reduced. Let this beget in us high thoughts of God and low thoughts of this world, and engage us to make God, and not man, both our fear and our hope. This magnifies God's love to the world, that, though it is of such small account and value with him, yet, for the redemption of it, he gave his only-begotten Son, Joh 3:16. IV. The services of the church can make no addition to him nor do they bear any proportion to his infinite perfections (Isa 40:16): Lebanon is not sufficient to burn; not the wood of it, to be for the fuel of the altar, though it be so well stocked with cedars; not the beasts of it, to be for sacrifices, though it be so well stocked with cattle, Isa 40:16. Whatever we honour God with, it falls infinitely short of the merit of his perfection; for he is exalted far above all blessing and praise, all burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
40:12-17 Against the backdrop of Israel’s questions (spoken by the prophet), the Lord affirmed that he is the incomparable God, a wise and sovereign creator who rules over the nations. 40:12-13 These rhetorical questions evoke the answer “No one!” God alone created all that exists. He will judge creation (24:17), and he alone can and will restore creation through his salvation.
Isaiah 40:12
Here Is Your God!
11He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes. 12Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance? 13Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor?
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(How to Get Out of a Religious Rut): Three Spiritual Laws
By A.W. Tozer6.0K33:28Religious RutISA 40:9ISA 40:12MAT 6:33JHN 1:1JHN 1:14ROM 12:1COL 2:1In this sermon, the preacher discusses the thesis that most evangelical Christians are spiritually asleep and morally stagnant. He emphasizes that this is displeasing to God and tragic for individuals. However, he also highlights that there is a way out of this state, and that God is working to help believers. The preacher urges Christians to give themselves wholly to God, surrendering their lives and concentrating on Him. He encourages them to be fascinated by Jesus and to seek the sweet fascination of loving God.
Collection of Prayers 1
By Leonard Ravenhill3.1K15:47Prayer MeetingPSA 119:89ISA 40:12MAT 6:33EPH 3:19PHP 4:42TI 3:162PE 1:16In this sermon, the preacher begins by praying for a powerful and transformative meeting. He asks God to ignite a fire of love, faith, hope, and zeal within the congregation. The preacher acknowledges the need for a greater understanding and experience of God's love and urges the listeners to have a holy hatred for sin. He references the apostle Paul's unwavering faith and joy in the midst of difficult circumstances and expresses a desire for the same level of faith and love in the present generation. The preacher also emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit's movement and intervention in bringing about spiritual transformation. He concludes by urging the congregation to not let anyone die in their sins and to be faithful in proclaiming the truth of God's Word.
God's Cure for Fear
By Chuck Smith2.9K27:12FearPSA 23:4ISA 40:12ISA 41:10ISA 43:2MAT 6:33JHN 10:11In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel. He highlights how these three Hebrew boys were thrown into a fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar because they refused to worship his golden image. However, God miraculously protected them, and they walked around in the fire unharmed. The preacher emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's promises and the consciousness of His complete love for us as remedies for fear. He also encourages the congregation to read and study Isaiah chapters 41 through 43, which contain powerful messages of comfort and assurance from God.
Our Awesome God - Part 1
By Chuck Smith1.9K08:47GEN 1:11GEN 1:29JOB 12:7PSA 104:14PSA 104:24PRO 3:19ISA 40:12MAT 6:28ROM 11:33
This sermon delves into the profound wisdom and knowledge of God as revealed in Romans 11, emphasizing the intricate design and balance in creation that sustains life on Earth. It explores the intentional details in the universe, the Earth's position, the ratio of elements, and the propagation of plant life, showcasing God's meticulous craftsmanship and care for His creation.
A Voice From Heaven
By Carl Armerding1.5K23:57God's VoiceGEN 4:4GEN 8:20ISA 40:12MAT 6:33ROM 1:20ROM 5:20EPH 2:1In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing the rules and regulations presented in a gracious manner. He then emphasizes the spiritual objectives of the camp, stating that it is not just about having a good time, but also about finding answers to important questions. The speaker highlights the awe-inspiring surroundings of the camp, such as the mountains, streams, trees, flowers, birds, and animals, as evidence of an all-wise and all-powerful Creator. He encourages the audience to recognize the greatness and importance of God, and to seek a personal relationship with Him. The sermon also includes a reference to the book of Isaiah, specifically chapter 40, where the speaker explores the concept of God's measurement and control over the elements of the universe.
The Babe of Bethlehem All the Fullness Bodily
By William MacDonald1.3K31:54Fullness Of GodheadISA 9:6ISA 40:12MAT 6:33MAT 7:1JHN 3:16ROM 8:1REV 21:4In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the greatness and incomprehensibility of God. He encourages the audience to contemplate the Lord Jesus and marvel at his person and ways. The speaker highlights that God is the creator and sustainer of all things, including the stars, which he calls by name. The sermon also emphasizes the faithfulness of God and his ability to save sinners through belief in Jesus Christ. The speaker concludes by reflecting on the hand of the Lord Jesus, which can measure all the waters of the world in its hollow, despite its small size. The sermon references passages from the Bible, including Isaiah 40:12.
Finding Comfort in the Character of God
By Chuck Smith68225:05Character Of GodPSA 46:10PRO 2:6ISA 40:12ISA 41:1MAT 6:33JAS 1:5In this sermon, Pastor Chuck begins by discussing the command in chapter 41 to keep silence before God and renew our strength. He then highlights God's greatness and challenges the people of the world to come with their gods for a court trial. Pastor Chuck emphasizes that God is so vast and powerful that our minds cannot comprehend it. He measures the waters and the heavens, weighs the mountains and the hills, and stretches out the heavens like a curtain. He also warns that the great men of the earth will be brought to nothing and emphasizes the temporary nature of human power. The sermon concludes with an invitation to let the Son of God fill our hearts and satisfy our souls.
Eternity
By J. Wesley Adcock56457:44EternityGEN 1:3EXO 40:12ISA 40:12ISA 57:16MAT 11:28REV 22:17In this sermon, the preacher uses various illustrations to emphasize the brevity of life and the importance of recognizing the limited time we have on Earth. He compares life to a vapor, a shadow, and a blade of grass that withers away. The preacher also highlights the concept of eternity and how time is finite, while God, who created life, is eternal. He concludes by emphasizing the power of God to transform sinners into saints and lead them on the path to salvation. The sermon references the book of Job to further emphasize the greatness of God.
Pastor Calls Out Liberal Politicans - You're Not God!
By Shane Idleman2004:02Spiritual AwakeningGod's SovereigntyPSA 121:1ISA 40:12ISA 40:28ROM 11:34Shane Idleman passionately calls out liberal politicians for attempting to play God by changing laws and societal norms that contradict divine order. He emphasizes the futility of humans instructing God, referencing Isaiah to remind listeners of God's sovereignty and power over creation. Idleman urges the church to awaken from spiritual slumber and refocus on God, who provides strength and understanding beyond human comprehension. He encourages believers to seek their help from the Lord rather than the media or worldly influences, reinforcing the need for repentance and a return to God's truth.
God Is Not a Railway Porter
By A.W. Tozer0Understanding God's CharacterWorship and ReverencePSA 46:10PSA 95:6PRO 3:5ISA 40:12ISA 55:8JER 29:11MAT 6:33JHN 15:15ROM 11:36PHP 4:19A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of understanding the true character of God, urging believers to move beyond viewing Him merely as a means to fulfill their needs. He challenges the notion that God exists to serve humanity's desires, likening this misconception to treating God as a railway porter. Instead, Tozer calls for a deeper relationship with God, recognizing Him as the Creator who holds the universe in His hands and deserves our reverence and worship. He encourages believers to acknowledge their position as servants of God rather than expecting Him to cater to their demands.
Crossing Over Jordan
By A.W. Tozer0Understanding Divine PresenceFaith in God's SovereigntyJOB 38:1PSA 23:4PSA 46:1PSA 104:24ISA 40:12MAT 6:26JHN 14:2ROM 8:28HEB 11:10REV 21:4A.W. Tozer emphasizes the direct relationship the prophets and psalmists had with God, contrasting it with modern perceptions that often complicate our understanding of the divine. He illustrates this through a story of a joyful elderly woman facing death, who viewed her transition as crossing over to a land owned by God, reflecting a profound faith in God's sovereignty. Tozer encourages believers to recognize God's presence in all aspects of life and to embrace the unity of creation under His rule. The sermon calls for a return to a more immediate apprehension of the divine, free from the distractions of modern interpretations of nature.
Homily 9 on the Statues
By St. John Chrysostom0JOB 26:7PSA 19:1PRO 16:24ISA 40:12JER 5:22MAT 5:16ROM 1:20EPH 4:291TH 2:8John Chrysostom commends those who have stopped swearing, emphasizing the importance of caring for the salvation of others and the need for constant vigilance in upholding moral standards. He addresses the misconception that hearing the divine oracles in church after a meal is inappropriate, highlighting the significance of sobriety and reverence in approaching spiritual matters. Chrysostom explains the delay in the delivery of the Holy Scriptures, attributing it to God's desire to teach through creation, as seen in the natural world where the heavens declare the glory of God. He admonishes against swearing, urging believers to glorify God through pure conduct and to be diligent in eradicating the habit of oaths.
Attributes of God #2 "God's Immanence and Immensity"
By A.W. Tozer0God's PresenceSeeking GodPSA 104:1PSA 139:7ISA 40:12JER 23:24MAT 6:33JHN 15:5ACT 17:27PHP 3:8COL 3:1HEB 4:16A.W. Tozer explores the attributes of God's immanence and immensity, emphasizing that God is present in all things and transcends the vastness of the universe. He contrasts nominal faith, which relies on mere acceptance of scripture, with real faith that depends on the character of God. Tozer illustrates that everything created is insignificant compared to God's greatness, urging believers to seek fulfillment in God alone rather than in worldly possessions or achievements. He concludes with a call for Christians to recognize their need for God, as true satisfaction can only be found in Him.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
In order to bring His people to the full consciousness of the exaltation of Jehovah, the prophet asks in Isa 40:12, "Who hath measured the waters with the hollow of his hand, and regulated the heavens with a span, and taken up the dust of the earth in a third measure, and weighed the mountains with a steelyard, and hills with balances?" Jehovah, and He alone, has given to all these their proper quantities, their determinate form, and their proportionate place in the universe. How very little can a man hold in the hollow of his hand (shō‛al)! (Note: The root שׁל, Arab. sl has the primary meaning of easily moving or being easily moved; then of being loose or slack, of hanging down, or sinking-a meaning which we meet with in שׁעל and שׁאל. Accordingly, shō‛al signifies the palm (i.e., the depression made by the hand), and she'ōl not literally a hollowing or cavity, but a depression or low ground.) how very small is the space which a man's span will cover! how little is contained in the third of an ephah (shâlı̄sh; see at Psa 80:6)! and how trifling in either bulk or measure is the quantity you can weight in scales, whether it be a peles, i.e., a steelyard (statera), or mō'zenayim, a tradesman's balance (bilances), consisting of two scales. (Note: According to the meaning, to level or equalize, which is one meaning of pillēs, the noun peles is applied not only to a level used to secure equilibrium, which is called mishqeleth in Isa 28:17, but also to a steelyard used for weighing, the beam of which consists of a lever with unequal arms, which flies up directly the weight is removed.) But what Jehovah measures with the hollow of His hand, and with His span, is nothing less than the waters beneath and the heavens above. He carries a scoop, in which there is room for all the dust of which the earth consists, and a scale on which He has weighed the great colossal mountains.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Lest the Jews should suppose that He who was just before described as a "shepherd" is a mere man, He is now described as GOD. Who--Who else but GOD could do so? Therefore, though the redemption and restoration of His people, foretold here, was a work beyond man's power, they should not doubt its fulfilment since all things are possible to Him who can accurately regulate the proportion of the waters as if He had measured them with His hand (compare Isa 40:15). But MAURER translates: "Who can measure," &c., that is, How immeasurable are the works of God? The former is a better explanation (Job 28:25; Pro 30:4). span--the space from the end of the thumb to the end of the middle finger extended; God measures the vast heavens as one would measure a small object with his span. dust of the earth--All the earth is to Him but as a few grains of dust contained in a small measure (literally, "the third part of a larger measure"). hills in a balance--adjusted in their right proportions and places, as exactly as if He had weighed them out.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand?.... The following account of the power, wisdom, and all sufficiency of God, and which is to be understood of Christ, is to show that he is equal to the work of redemption and salvation he has engaged in, and was about to come and perform, and that he is able to do it, as well as to execute his office as a shepherd; and also to observe, that though his rich grace and goodness he had condescended to take upon him the work of a saviour, and the office of a shepherd, yet this was not to be interpreted as if he had lost his dignity and glory as a divine Person, or as if that was in the least diminished; for he was no other than that infinite Being, "who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand"; the waters of the seas, for which he has provided a receptacle, where he has collected and put them together; the dimensions of which are exactly known to him, and the vast confluence of water is no more in his hands than so much water as a man can hold in the hollow of his hand, in his fist, or hand contracted: and meted out heaven with the span; which he has stretched out as a curtain, Isa 40:22, and the measure of which is but one hand's breadth with him; and is no more to him than stretching out a carpet or canopy; and as easily measured by him as a piece of cloth is by a man with the span of his hand, or any measuring rule or yard: and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure; the word (r) used signifies the third part of some larger measure, as of a sextarius, as some; or of an ephah, or bath as others; or of some other measure not known; See Gill on Psa 80:5. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, "with three fingers"; and the sense may be, that the dust of the earth, or the earth itself, which is but dust, is no more with the Lord than so much earth or dust as a man can hold between his thumb and two fingers; and in like manner is the whole earth comprehended by the Lord: and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance; as easily as a man can throw in his goods into a pair of scales, and take the true weight of them, with equal ease did the Lord raise the mountains and the hills in a proper proportion, and has so exactly poised them, as if he had weighed them in a pair of scales; this seems to hint at the use of mountains and hills to be a sort of ballast to the earth, and shows the original formation of them from the beginning. The answer to the above question is, that it was the same divine Person of whom it is said, "behold your God, and who should come with a strong hand, and feed his flock." (r) "in mensura ternaria", Montanus; "trientali", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Vitringa.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
The scope of these verses is to show what a great and glorious being the Lord Jehovah is, who is Israel's God and Saviour. It comes in here, 1. To encourage his people that were captives in Babylon to hope in him, and to depend upon him for deliverance, though they were ever so weak and their oppressors ever so strong. 2. To engage them to cleave to him, and not to turn aside after other gods; for there are none to be compared with him. 3. To possess all those who receive the glad tidings of redemption by Christ with a holy awe and reverence of God. Though it was said (Isa 40:9), Behold your God, and (Isa 40:11) He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, yet these condescensions of his grace must not be thought of with any diminution to the transcendencies of his glory. Let us see how great our God is, and fear before him; for, I. His power is unlimited, and what no creature can compare with, much less contend with, Isa 40:12. 1. He has a vast reach. View the celestial globe, and you are astonished at the extent of it; but the great God metes the heavens with a span; to him they are but a hand-breadth, so large-handed is he. View the terraqueous globe, and he has the command of that too. All the waters in the world he can measure in the hollow of his hand, where we can hold but a little water; and the dry land he easily manages, for he comprehends the dust of the earth in a measure, or with his three fingers; it is no more to him than a pugil, or that which we take up between our thumb and two fingers. 2. He has a vast strength, and can as easily move mountains and hills as the tradesman heaves his goods into the scales and out of them again; he poises them with his hand as exactly as if he weighed them in a pair of balances. This may refer to the work of creation, when the heavens were stretched out as exactly as that which is spanned, and the earth and waters were put together in just proportions, as if they had been measured, and the mountains made of such a weight as to serve for ballast to the globe, and no more. Or it may refer to the work of providence (which is a continued creation) and the consistency of all the creatures with each other. II. His wisdom is unsearchable, and what no creature can give either information or direction to, Isa 40:13, Isa 40:14. As none can do what God has done and does, so none can assist him in the doing of it or suggest any thing to him which he thought not of. When the Lord by his Spirit made the world (Job 26:13) there was none that directed his Spirit, or gave him any advice, either what to do or how to do it. Nor does he need any counsellor to direct him in the government of the world, nor is there any with whom he consults, as the wisest kings do with those that know law and judgment, Est 1:13. God needs not to be told what is done, for he knows it perfectly; nor needs he be advised concerning what is to be done, for he knows both the right end and the proper means. This is much insisted upon here, because the poor captives had no politicians among them to manage their concerns at court or to put them in a way of gaining their liberty. "No matter," says the prophet, "you have a God to act for you, who needs not the assistance of statesmen." In the great work of our redemption by Christ matters were concerted before the world was, when there was one to teach God in the path of judgment, Co1 2:7. III. The nations of the world are nothing in comparison of him, Isa 40:15, Isa 40:17. Take them all together, all the great and mighty nations of the earth, kings the most pompous, kingdoms the most populous, both the most wealthy; take the isles, the multitude of them, the isles of the Gentiles: Before him, when they stand in competition with him or in opposition to him, they are as a drop of the bucket compared with the vast ocean, or the small dust of the balance (which does not serve to turn it, and therefore is not regarded, it is so small) in comparison with all the dust of the earth. He takes them up, and throws them away from him, as a very little thing, not worth speaking of. They are all in his eye as nothing, as if they had no being at all; for they add nothing to his perfection and all-sufficiency. They are counted by him, and are to be counted by us in comparison of him, less than nothing, and vanity. When he pleases, he can as easily bring them all into nothing as at first he brought them out of nothing. When God has work to do he values not either the assistance or the resistance of any creature. They are all vanity; the word that is used for the chaos (Gen 1:2), to which they will at last be reduced. Let this beget in us high thoughts of God and low thoughts of this world, and engage us to make God, and not man, both our fear and our hope. This magnifies God's love to the world, that, though it is of such small account and value with him, yet, for the redemption of it, he gave his only-begotten Son, Joh 3:16. IV. The services of the church can make no addition to him nor do they bear any proportion to his infinite perfections (Isa 40:16): Lebanon is not sufficient to burn; not the wood of it, to be for the fuel of the altar, though it be so well stocked with cedars; not the beasts of it, to be for sacrifices, though it be so well stocked with cattle, Isa 40:16. Whatever we honour God with, it falls infinitely short of the merit of his perfection; for he is exalted far above all blessing and praise, all burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
40:12-17 Against the backdrop of Israel’s questions (spoken by the prophet), the Lord affirmed that he is the incomparable God, a wise and sovereign creator who rules over the nations. 40:12-13 These rhetorical questions evoke the answer “No one!” God alone created all that exists. He will judge creation (24:17), and he alone can and will restore creation through his salvation.