Isaiah 40:12-31 - The Greatness of God
undefinedIsaiah 40:12-31
Maximally Great
Maximally Great
12 Who has measured the waters in the
12 Who has measured the waters in the
hollow of his hand
hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who has measured the Spirit of the
13 Who has measured the Spirit of the
LORD,
LORD,
or what man shows him his counsel?
or what man shows him his counsel?
14 Whom did he consult,
14 Whom did he consult,
and who made him understand?
and who made him understand?
Who taught him the path of justice,
Who taught him the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding?
and showed him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from
15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from
a bucket,
a bucket,
and are accounted as the dust on the
and are accounted as the dust on the
scales;
scales;
behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine
behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine
dust.
dust.
16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
nor are its beasts enough for a burnt
nor are its beasts enough for a burnt
offering.
offering.
17 All the nations are as nothing before
17 All the nations are as nothing before
him,
him,
they are accounted by him as less than
they are accounted by him as less than
nothing and emptiness.
nothing and emptiness.
18 To whom then will you liken God,
18 To whom then will you liken God,
or what likeness compare with him?
or what likeness compare with him?
19 An idol! A craftsman casts it,
19 An idol! A craftsman casts it,
and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and casts for it silver chains.
and casts for it silver chains.
20 He who is too impoverished for an
20 He who is too impoverished for an
offering
offering
chooses wood that will not rot;
chooses wood that will not rot;
he seeks out a skillful craftsman
he seeks out a skillful craftsman
to set up an idol that will not move.
to set up an idol that will not move.
(Isaiah 40:12-20, ESV)
(Isaiah 40:12-20, ESV)
21 Do you not know? Do you not hear?
21 Do you not know? Do you not hear?
Has it not been told you from the
Has it not been told you from the
beginning?
beginning?
Have you not understood from the
Have you not understood from the
foundations of the earth?
foundations of the earth?
22 It is he who sits above the circle of
22 It is he who sits above the circle of
the earth,
the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a
who stretches out the heavens like a
curtain,
curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
23 who brings princes to nothing,
23 who brings princes to nothing,
and makes the rulers of the earth as
and makes the rulers of the earth as
emptiness.
emptiness.
24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely
24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely
sown,
sown,
scarcely has their stem taken root in the
scarcely has their stem taken root in the
earth,
earth,
when he blows on them, and they wither,
when he blows on them, and they wither,
and the tempest carries them off like
and the tempest carries them off like
stubble.
stubble.
25 To whom then will you compare me,
25 To whom then will you compare me,
that I should be like him? says the Holy
that I should be like him? says the Holy
One.
One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
who created these?
who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name;
calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
by the greatness of his might
and because he is strong in power,
and because he is strong in power,
not one is missing.
not one is missing.
(Isaiah 40:21-26, ESV)
(Isaiah 40:21-26, ESV)
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my
and my right is disregarded by my
God”?
God”?
28 Have you not known? Have
28 Have you not known? Have
you not heard?
you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the
the Creator of the ends of the
earth.
earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is
his understanding is
unsearchable.
unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he
and to him who has no might he
increases strength.
increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be
30 Even youths shall faint and be
weary,
weary,
and young men shall fall
and young men shall fall
exhausted;
exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the
31 but they who wait for the
LORD shall renew their strength;
LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like
they shall mount up with wings like
eagles;
eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
they shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:27-31, ESV)
(Isaiah 40:27-31, ESV)
Main Point
Main Point
•
These verses reflect on the reality of
These verses reflect on the reality of
God
God
•
He is superior to all others
He is superior to all others
•
Isaiah calls to the people and reminds
Isaiah calls to the people and reminds
them that the God who set the
them that the God who set the
foundations of the world is their God
foundations of the world is their God
•
He is capable of providing and
He is capable of providing and
sustaining them no matter the
sustaining them no matter the
circumstances
circumstances
Application Points
Application Points
•
Maximally Great
Maximally Great
–
If God does exist, then Isaiah is sure that He is the greatest
If God does exist, then Isaiah is sure that He is the greatest
conceivable being
conceivable being
–
We see what that means for the people in Isaiah’s time as
We see what that means for the people in Isaiah’s time as
well as for ourselves
well as for ourselves
–
We can be limited in our understanding of who God is
We can be limited in our understanding of who God is
–
The gods often reflected the people who worshipped them
The gods often reflected the people who worshipped them
–
They were great with their perceived power
They were great with their perceived power
–
We often find they were not the greatest conceivable beings
We often find they were not the greatest conceivable beings
–
They were often morally suspect, they were only powerful
They were often morally suspect, they were only powerful
insofar as each other
insofar as each other
Application Points
Application Points
•
Maximally Great (2)
Maximally Great (2)
–
It is no surprise that the Greek philosophers (Plato and
It is no surprise that the Greek philosophers (Plato and
Aristotle) were critical of the gods
Aristotle) were critical of the gods
–
There must be something greater than the gods
There must be something greater than the gods
–
Aristotle was close, as was Plato
Aristotle was close, as was Plato
–
Yet they were not able to come to the knowledge given to
Yet they were not able to come to the knowledge given to
the prophets
the prophets
–
The prophets give us both reason and experience
The prophets give us both reason and experience
–
Isaiah has proclaimed this very thing
Isaiah has proclaimed this very thing
–
He described a Being who was the first Cause and brought
He described a Being who was the first Cause and brought
all things into existence
all things into existence
–
It was from this Being that all else came into being
It was from this Being that all else came into being
–
He knows all the stars by name…He knows all things
He knows all the stars by name…He knows all things
Application Points
Application Points
•
Maximally Great (3)
Maximally Great (3)
–
There is a such a Being as this
There is a such a Being as this
–
Whatever idols we make with our hands will be insufficient
Whatever idols we make with our hands will be insufficient
for His majesty
for His majesty
–
Not only is it absurd to attempt to create such an image
Not only is it absurd to attempt to create such an image
–
He has already created such an image to show His existence
He has already created such an image to show His existence
–
The word for “likeness” is the same as Genesis 1:26, “Then
The word for “likeness” is the same as Genesis 1:26, “Then
God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea over the
And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea over the
birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the
birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the
earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Application Points
Application Points
•
Maximally Great (4)
Maximally Great (4)
–
To make idols is an abomination for two reasons
To make idols is an abomination for two reasons
–
The first is the idols are dead and have no life
The first is the idols are dead and have no life
–
The second is God has already made His likeness…in
The second is God has already made His likeness…in
humanity
humanity
–
Who could create such persons as we are?
Who could create such persons as we are?
–
Would not the greatest conceivable Being, this being who is
Would not the greatest conceivable Being, this being who is
maximally great, need to be a Being who had personhood?
maximally great, need to be a Being who had personhood?
–
Such a Being exists, such a Being with personhood
Such a Being exists, such a Being with personhood
exists…our God
exists…our God
–
He is the One whom we can compare to, and find ourselves
He is the One whom we can compare to, and find ourselves
terribly lacking when His majesty and might is revealed
terribly lacking when His majesty and might is revealed
against our stains and weakness
against our stains and weakness
Application Points
Application Points
•
Maximally Great (5)
Maximally Great (5)
–
This is the very God who has revealed Himself to us
This is the very God who has revealed Himself to us
–
He has promised to give us His strength and power so that we
He has promised to give us His strength and power so that we
can overcome and find peace
can overcome and find peace
–
It is possible for us to reach it, not because we are so powerful
It is possible for us to reach it, not because we are so powerful
and great, but because He is
and great, but because He is
–
He has accomplished giving us strength and power and
He has accomplished giving us strength and power and
knowledge and wisdom through Christ and His Spirit
knowledge and wisdom through Christ and His Spirit
–
The God of the Bible is not some petty deity
The God of the Bible is not some petty deity
–
He is a God unlike any other
He is a God unlike any other
–
He is worthy of all praise
He is worthy of all praise
–
Let us join with Isaiah in recognizing the greatness of our God
Let us join with Isaiah in recognizing the greatness of our God
–
He is the personal and living God who is the greatest of all
He is the personal and living God who is the greatest of all
beings
beings
–
None can compare with our maximally great God
None can compare with our maximally great God
Application Points
Application Points
•
The Gospel of Christ
The Gospel of Christ
–
Origins
Origins
–
Where we began
Where we began
–
Fall
Fall
–
What went wrong
What went wrong
–
Redemption
Redemption
–
How it is fixed
How it is fixed
–
Glorification
Glorification
–
Where it at leads
Where it at leads
Reflect on the majestic depiction of God's power and supremacy in Isaiah 40:12-31. These verses emphasize the incomparable nature of the Creator, challenging us to ponder the insignificance of earthly powers in the face of His glory.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Isaiah 40:12-31 Maximally Great Maximally Great
12 Who has measured the waters in the 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? and the hills in a balance? 13 Who has measured the Spirit of the 13 Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? or what man shows him his counsel? 14 Whom did he consult, 14 Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? and showed him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from 15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the and are accounted as the dust on the scales; scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. dust. 16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, 16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. offering. 17 All the nations are as nothing before 17 All the nations are as nothing before him, him, they are accounted by him as less than they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. nothing and emptiness. 18 To whom then will you liken God, 18 To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? or what likeness compare with him? 19 An idol! A craftsman casts it, 19 An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. and casts for it silver chains. 20 He who is too impoverished for an 20 He who is too impoverished for an offering offering chooses wood that will not rot; chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move. to set up an idol that will not move. (Isaiah 40:12 (Isaiah 40:12- -20, ESV) 20, ESV)
21 Do you not know? Do you not hear? 21 Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the Has it not been told you from the beginning? beginning? Have you not understood from the Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? foundations of the earth? 22 It is he who sits above the circle of 22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; 23 who brings princes to nothing, 23 who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. emptiness. 24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely 24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like and the tempest carries them off like stubble. stubble. 25 To whom then will you compare me, 25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy that I should be like him? says the Holy One. One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? who created these? He who brings out their host by number, He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. not one is missing. (Isaiah 40:21 (Isaiah 40:21- -26, ESV) 26, ESV)
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, and speak, O Israel, My way is hidden from the LORD, My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my and my right is disregarded by my God ? God ? 28 Have you not known? Have 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the the Creator of the ends of the earth. earth. He does not faint or grow weary; He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is his understanding is unsearchable. unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he and to him who has no might he increases strength. increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, weary, and young men shall fall and young men shall fall exhausted; exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like they shall mount up with wings like eagles; eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:27 (Isaiah 40:27- -31, ESV) 31, ESV)
Main Point Main Point These verses reflect on the reality of These verses reflect on the reality of God God He is superior to all others He is superior to all others Isaiah calls to the people and reminds Isaiah calls to the people and reminds them that the God who set the them that the God who set the foundations of the world is their God foundations of the world is their God He is capable of providing and He is capable of providing and sustaining them no matter the sustaining them no matter the circumstances circumstances
Application Points Application Points Maximally Great Maximally Great If God does exist, then Isaiah is sure that He is the greatest If God does exist, then Isaiah is sure that He is the greatest conceivable being conceivable being We see what that means for the people in Isaiah s time as We see what that means for the people in Isaiah s time as well as for ourselves well as for ourselves We can be limited in our understanding of who God is We can be limited in our understanding of who God is The gods often reflected the people who worshipped them The gods often reflected the people who worshipped them They were great with their perceived power They were great with their perceived power We often find they were not the greatest conceivable beings We often find they were not the greatest conceivable beings They were often morally suspect, they were only powerful They were often morally suspect, they were only powerful insofar as each other insofar as each other
Application Points Application Points Maximally Great (2) Maximally Great (2) It is no surprise that the Greek philosophers (Plato and It is no surprise that the Greek philosophers (Plato and Aristotle) were critical of the gods Aristotle) were critical of the gods There must be something greater than the gods There must be something greater than the gods Aristotle was close, as was Plato Aristotle was close, as was Plato Yet they were not able to come to the knowledge given to Yet they were not able to come to the knowledge given to the prophets the prophets The prophets give us both reason and experience The prophets give us both reason and experience Isaiah has proclaimed this very thing Isaiah has proclaimed this very thing He described a Being who was the first Cause and brought He described a Being who was the first Cause and brought all things into existence all things into existence It was from this Being that all else came into being It was from this Being that all else came into being He knows all the stars by name He knows all things He knows all the stars by name He knows all things
Application Points Application Points Maximally Great (3) Maximally Great (3) There is a such a Being as this There is a such a Being as this Whatever idols we make with our hands will be insufficient Whatever idols we make with our hands will be insufficient for His majesty for His majesty Not only is it absurd to attempt to create such an image Not only is it absurd to attempt to create such an image He has already created such an image to show His existence He has already created such an image to show His existence The word for likeness is the same as Genesis 1:26, Then The word for likeness is the same as Genesis 1:26, Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea over the And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
Application Points Application Points Maximally Great (4) Maximally Great (4) To make idols is an abomination for two reasons To make idols is an abomination for two reasons The first is the idols are dead and have no life The first is the idols are dead and have no life The second is God has already made His likeness in The second is God has already made His likeness in humanity humanity Who could create such persons as we are? Who could create such persons as we are? Would not the greatest conceivable Being, this being who is Would not the greatest conceivable Being, this being who is maximally great, need to be a Being who had personhood? maximally great, need to be a Being who had personhood? Such a Being exists, such a Being with personhood Such a Being exists, such a Being with personhood exists our God exists our God He is the One whom we can compare to, and find ourselves He is the One whom we can compare to, and find ourselves terribly lacking when His majesty and might is revealed terribly lacking when His majesty and might is revealed against our stains and weakness against our stains and weakness
Application Points Application Points Maximally Great (5) Maximally Great (5) This is the very God who has revealed Himself to us This is the very God who has revealed Himself to us He has promised to give us His strength and power so that we He has promised to give us His strength and power so that we can overcome and find peace can overcome and find peace It is possible for us to reach it, not because we are so powerful It is possible for us to reach it, not because we are so powerful and great, but because He is and great, but because He is He has accomplished giving us strength and power and He has accomplished giving us strength and power and knowledge and wisdom through Christ and His Spirit knowledge and wisdom through Christ and His Spirit The God of the Bible is not some petty deity The God of the Bible is not some petty deity He is a God unlike any other He is a God unlike any other He is worthy of all praise He is worthy of all praise Let us join with Isaiah in recognizing the greatness of our God Let us join with Isaiah in recognizing the greatness of our God He is the personal and living God who is the greatest of all He is the personal and living God who is the greatest of all beings beings None can compare with our maximally great God None can compare with our maximally great God
Application Points Application Points The Gospel of Christ The Gospel of Christ Origins Origins Where we began Where we began Fall Fall What went wrong What went wrong Redemption Redemption How it is fixed How it is fixed Glorification Glorification Where it at leads Where it at leads
