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Isaiah 40:22
Verse
Context
Here Is Your God!
21Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the foundation of the earth? 22He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. 23He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.
Sermons
Leonard Ravenhill
Warren Wiersbe
Paris Reidhead
Bill McLeod
Bakht Singh
David Wilkerson
F.B. MeyerSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
As a curtain "As a thin veil" - "It is usual in the summer season, and upon all occasions when a large company is to be received, to have the court sheltered from heat or inclemency of the weather by a velum, umbrella, or veil, as I shall call it; which being expanded on ropes from one side of the parapet wall to the other, may be folded or unfolded at pleasure. The psalmist seems to allude to some covering of this kind in that beautiful expression of spreading out the heavens like a curtain." - Shaw's Travels, p. 274.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The prophet now proceeds to describe the God whom both His works and word proclaim. The participles which follow are predicates of the subject, which filled the consciousness of the prophet as well as that of every believer. "He who is enthroned above the vault of the earth, and its inhabitants resemble grasshoppers; who has spread out the heavens like gauze, and stretched them out like a tent-roof to dwell in." He, the manifested and yet unknown, is He who has for His throne the circle of the heavens (chūg shâmayim, Job 22:14), which arches over the earth, and to whom from His inaccessible height men appear as diminutive as grasshoppers (Num 13:33); He who has spread out the blue sky like a thin transparent garment (dōq, a thin fabric, like daq, fine dust, in Isa 40:15), and stretched it out above the earth like a tent for dwelling in ('ōhel (Note: The noun 'ōhel is derived from the root אל, from which come Arab. 'wl, coaluit, cohaesit, to thicken within or gain consistency (hence, regarded on another side, to lose in outward extent or outward bulk, to shrink; to go back to its original or essential condition; to issue in something as the final result; or generally, to draw back or return from a distance), and Arab. 'h', to attach one's self or accustom one's self to a person or thing, equivalent to alifa and anisa; to take up one's abode in a place, or absolutely, to commence housekeeping by marrying, like the Italian accasarsi, Turkish ewlenmek (from ew, a house); or, when applied to a place itself, to be habitable, inhabited, and cultivated (= pass. uhila, more especially in the participle âhil, = ‛âmir = ma‛mūr). (Hence ahl, one who belongs to a person or place, with its numerous applications, and also אהל, a tent (primarily a dwelling generally, Engl. abode), which stands at the end of this etymological series.) lâshebheth). The participle brings to view the actions and circumstances of all times. In the present instance, where it is continued in the historical sense, it is to be resolved into the perfect; in other cases, the preservation of the world is evidently thought of as a creatio continua (see Psychol. P. 111).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
It is he--rather, connected with last verse, "Have ye not known?"--have ye not understood Him that sitteth . . .? (Isa 40:26) [MAURER]. circle--applicable to the globular form of the earth, above which, and the vault of sky around it, He sits. For "upon" translate "above." as grasshoppers--or locusts in His sight (Num 13:33), as He looks down from on high (Psa 33:13-14; Psa 113:4-6). curtain--referring to the awning which the Orientals draw over the open court in the center of their houses as a shelter in rain or hot weather.
John Gill Bible Commentary
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth,.... Or, "the globe (z)" of it; for the earth is spherical or globular: not a flat plain, but round, hung as a ball in the air; here Jehovah sits as the Lord and Sovereign; being the Maker of it, he is above it, orders and directs its motion, and governs all things in it: Kimchi rightly observes, that the heavens are the circle of the earth, which is the centre of them, and around which they are; and so it signifies, that the Lord sits or dwells in the heavens, from whence he beholds the children of men: and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; or "locusts (a)"; as one upon a very great eminence looking down beholds creatures as exceeding small and little; and if the Israelites were to the "anakim" or giants as grasshoppers, Num 13:33, much more must puny mortals be such in the sight of God, and in comparison of him; and this may denote, not only the minuteness of men, but what weak, impotent, useless, worthless, and short lived creatures men are: that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain; alluding to the firmament or expanse made at the creation, and still continued; which is as a curtain to himself, which he draws around himself, he dwelling in the highest heavens, and in light inaccessible to mortals; and which he stretches out as a canopy around this earth, for the use of the inhabitants of it: or, "as a little thing"; or, as a little skin (b); and which he stretches out as easily as a man can stretch out that: and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in it; for himself to dwell in, and so stretches out the heavens like curtains about him; tents being made of such, and often of skins. (z) "super sphaeram", Pagninus; "globum", Montanus Vatablus; "super orbem telluris", Vitringa. (a) "ut locustae", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Vitringa; "tanquam locustae", Munster; "velut locustae", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. (b) "velut tenue", Montanus; "tenuissimum", Vatablus; "pellem." Munster; so some in Vatablus; "pellculam", Gataker.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
40:22 God sits enthroned as King over all the earth (see 6:1; Pss 2:4; 80:1; 99:1; 102:12; 113:5). God is so immense and awesome that humans are like grasshoppers in comparison. • Belief in God as creator of the heavens and earth contradicts the popular Babylonian and Egyptian belief that the sun, moon, and stars represent gods. • like a curtain . . . his tent: See also Ps 104:2.
Isaiah 40:22
Here Is Your God!
21Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the foundation of the earth? 22He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. 23He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Mounting Up With Eagles Wings - Part 1
By Leonard Ravenhill7.7K44:20OvercomingWaiting On GodStrength in GodEXO 19:4DEU 32:11JOB 39:27PSA 37:7PSA 103:5ISA 40:13ISA 40:22ISA 40:29MAT 11:28JHN 6:53Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the power and majesty of God as depicted in Isaiah 40, particularly focusing on the promise that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength and soar like eagles. He contrasts the fleeting strength of youth with the enduring power of God, urging believers to embrace patience and trust in God's timing. Ravenhill illustrates how God, like an eagle, provides security and comfort to His people, encouraging them to rise above the challenges of a restless and impatient world. He calls for a deeper understanding of God's majesty and the importance of waiting on Him to experience true renewal and strength.
Praise and Thanksgiving: Praise the Creator
By Warren Wiersbe4.6K38:19ISA 40:11ISA 40:22ISA 40:25REV 5:9REV 5:13In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Revelation chapter 4 and highlights the central theme of worship in heaven. The chapter describes John's arrival in heaven, where he sees a throne at the center, symbolizing God's presence. The preacher emphasizes the repetition of the word "throne" throughout the book of Revelation, emphasizing its significance. The sermon also mentions the four living creatures and the 24 elders who offer praise and worship to God. The preacher concludes that everything in heaven revolves around the throne and the worship of the God of creation.
What Kind of Being Is Man - Part 1
By Paris Reidhead4.2K50:31Sinful NatureGEN 9:2JOB 4:19JOB 7:17JOB 25:6PSA 8:4ISA 40:22JAS 3:7In this sermon, the preacher discusses the nature of God and highlights several characteristics of God mentioned in the scripture. He emphasizes that God is right, truth, light, life, and love. The preacher uses an analogy of a father coming home to his children to illustrate the importance of genuine love and relationship rather than programmed actions. He concludes by stating that God desires a meaningful and genuine relationship with humanity, and if God had made humans incapable of choosing to love Him, it would have been a mere mechanical response rather than a heartfelt expression.
Prayer and Revival - Part 2
By Bill McLeod2.1K45:53Revival PrayingISA 40:22ISA 50:6ISA 57:15LUK 23:34HEB 13:131PE 2:23In this sermon, the speaker discusses the current state of the world and suggests that God is sending judgments upon North America. He references Ezekiel 14:21, which mentions four sore judgments: war, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts. The speaker points out instances of bears and cougars attacking humans in Canada as examples of these judgments. Additionally, he mentions the disappearance of fish in the oceans as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The sermon then transitions to discussing the humility of Jesus Christ and the greatness of God. The speaker emphasizes the need for Christians to have a proper understanding of God's greatness and the humility displayed by Jesus during his crucifixion.
Straw Rags, Wilderness
By Bakht Singh6631:17:05WildernessPSA 102:25ISA 40:221CO 1:30HEB 1:10In this sermon, the Lord's servant discusses the concept of possessing material things and the importance of true wisdom. The speaker emphasizes that our possessions on earth are temporary and fleeting, and that true wisdom comes from God. The sermon references the story of Job, highlighting his longing for true wisdom and salvation. The speaker concludes by stating that Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of wisdom, sanctification, and redemption, and that through him, we can have everlasting possession.
Look to Our Glorious King
By David Wilkerson0Trust in God's PromisesGod's SovereigntyPSA 22:28ISA 34:1ISA 40:15ISA 40:17ISA 40:22David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of looking to God amidst the chaos and turmoil of the world, reminding believers that despite the overwhelming events and moral decline, God remains sovereign and in control. He reassures the faithful that the Lord governs all nations and that nothing occurs without His knowledge. The sermon encourages Christians to find comfort in God's promises and to remember their worth in His eyes, urging them to look up to the heavens and trust in His care during difficult times.
The Conflict on the Heights of Carmel
By F.B. Meyer0IdolatryFaith1KI 18:21PSA 115:4ISA 40:22MRK 9:23JHN 14:13HEB 11:1F.B. Meyer delivers a powerful sermon on the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, emphasizing the critical choice between serving the true God and false idols. He illustrates Elijah's unwavering faith and the absurdity of the people's divided loyalties, urging them to recognize the futility of their mixed worship. The sermon highlights Elijah's bold challenge to the prophets of Baal, his confident prayer to God, and the miraculous response of fire from heaven, which vindicated God's sovereignty. Meyer calls for a similar faith in believers today, encouraging them to trust in God's power to overcome obstacles and to eliminate rivals to His worship in their lives. Ultimately, the message is a call to decisive faith and commitment to God alone.
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
As a curtain "As a thin veil" - "It is usual in the summer season, and upon all occasions when a large company is to be received, to have the court sheltered from heat or inclemency of the weather by a velum, umbrella, or veil, as I shall call it; which being expanded on ropes from one side of the parapet wall to the other, may be folded or unfolded at pleasure. The psalmist seems to allude to some covering of this kind in that beautiful expression of spreading out the heavens like a curtain." - Shaw's Travels, p. 274.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The prophet now proceeds to describe the God whom both His works and word proclaim. The participles which follow are predicates of the subject, which filled the consciousness of the prophet as well as that of every believer. "He who is enthroned above the vault of the earth, and its inhabitants resemble grasshoppers; who has spread out the heavens like gauze, and stretched them out like a tent-roof to dwell in." He, the manifested and yet unknown, is He who has for His throne the circle of the heavens (chūg shâmayim, Job 22:14), which arches over the earth, and to whom from His inaccessible height men appear as diminutive as grasshoppers (Num 13:33); He who has spread out the blue sky like a thin transparent garment (dōq, a thin fabric, like daq, fine dust, in Isa 40:15), and stretched it out above the earth like a tent for dwelling in ('ōhel (Note: The noun 'ōhel is derived from the root אל, from which come Arab. 'wl, coaluit, cohaesit, to thicken within or gain consistency (hence, regarded on another side, to lose in outward extent or outward bulk, to shrink; to go back to its original or essential condition; to issue in something as the final result; or generally, to draw back or return from a distance), and Arab. 'h', to attach one's self or accustom one's self to a person or thing, equivalent to alifa and anisa; to take up one's abode in a place, or absolutely, to commence housekeeping by marrying, like the Italian accasarsi, Turkish ewlenmek (from ew, a house); or, when applied to a place itself, to be habitable, inhabited, and cultivated (= pass. uhila, more especially in the participle âhil, = ‛âmir = ma‛mūr). (Hence ahl, one who belongs to a person or place, with its numerous applications, and also אהל, a tent (primarily a dwelling generally, Engl. abode), which stands at the end of this etymological series.) lâshebheth). The participle brings to view the actions and circumstances of all times. In the present instance, where it is continued in the historical sense, it is to be resolved into the perfect; in other cases, the preservation of the world is evidently thought of as a creatio continua (see Psychol. P. 111).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
It is he--rather, connected with last verse, "Have ye not known?"--have ye not understood Him that sitteth . . .? (Isa 40:26) [MAURER]. circle--applicable to the globular form of the earth, above which, and the vault of sky around it, He sits. For "upon" translate "above." as grasshoppers--or locusts in His sight (Num 13:33), as He looks down from on high (Psa 33:13-14; Psa 113:4-6). curtain--referring to the awning which the Orientals draw over the open court in the center of their houses as a shelter in rain or hot weather.
John Gill Bible Commentary
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth,.... Or, "the globe (z)" of it; for the earth is spherical or globular: not a flat plain, but round, hung as a ball in the air; here Jehovah sits as the Lord and Sovereign; being the Maker of it, he is above it, orders and directs its motion, and governs all things in it: Kimchi rightly observes, that the heavens are the circle of the earth, which is the centre of them, and around which they are; and so it signifies, that the Lord sits or dwells in the heavens, from whence he beholds the children of men: and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; or "locusts (a)"; as one upon a very great eminence looking down beholds creatures as exceeding small and little; and if the Israelites were to the "anakim" or giants as grasshoppers, Num 13:33, much more must puny mortals be such in the sight of God, and in comparison of him; and this may denote, not only the minuteness of men, but what weak, impotent, useless, worthless, and short lived creatures men are: that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain; alluding to the firmament or expanse made at the creation, and still continued; which is as a curtain to himself, which he draws around himself, he dwelling in the highest heavens, and in light inaccessible to mortals; and which he stretches out as a canopy around this earth, for the use of the inhabitants of it: or, "as a little thing"; or, as a little skin (b); and which he stretches out as easily as a man can stretch out that: and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in it; for himself to dwell in, and so stretches out the heavens like curtains about him; tents being made of such, and often of skins. (z) "super sphaeram", Pagninus; "globum", Montanus Vatablus; "super orbem telluris", Vitringa. (a) "ut locustae", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Vitringa; "tanquam locustae", Munster; "velut locustae", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. (b) "velut tenue", Montanus; "tenuissimum", Vatablus; "pellem." Munster; so some in Vatablus; "pellculam", Gataker.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
40:22 God sits enthroned as King over all the earth (see 6:1; Pss 2:4; 80:1; 99:1; 102:12; 113:5). God is so immense and awesome that humans are like grasshoppers in comparison. • Belief in God as creator of the heavens and earth contradicts the popular Babylonian and Egyptian belief that the sun, moon, and stars represent gods. • like a curtain . . . his tent: See also Ps 104:2.