イザヤ書 40:12-18 JCB

Who hath measured the waters? (comp. Proverbs 30:4 and Job 38:4-6 ). The might of God is especially shown in creation, which Isaiah assumes to be God's work. How infinitely above man must he be, who arranged in such perfection, "by measure and number and weight" (Wis. 11:20), the earth, the waters, and the heavens, so proportioning each to each as to produce that admirable order and regularity which the intelligent observer cannot but note in the material universe as among its chief... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:12-17

The greatness of God and the littleness of man. These most eloquent words, so impressive as they stand that it seems undesirable to touch them in the way of analyzing them, may speak to us of— I. THE IMMEASURABLE GREATNESS OF GOD . 1 . His Divine majesty. All that is most vast and powerful in the universe—the sea, the heavens, the land, the mountains, etc.—is small and slight indeed when compared with him; his surroundings, his possessions, all bespeak his unapproachable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:12-18

Jehovah incomparable. I. HIS POWER OVER NATURE . The boldest imagery to express this thought: the "hollow of his hand;" his "span;" his "tierce," a small measure; his scales, with which he weighs the volumes of sea and laud, and measures the vast extent of heaven without an effort,—as we use the hand to weigh or to span! Far from taking offence at such figures, we feel them to be truthful, appropriate, sublime. The Creator is infinitely superior to his world. Vastness of space... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:12-26

God in creation. Creation tells of God in many ways. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork: day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge" ( Psalms 19:1 , Psalms 19:2 ). "The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead" ( Romans 1:20 ). Here we have noted especially— I. GOD 'S MARVELLOUSNESS IN CREATION ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:12-31

THE MIGHT AND GREATNESS OF GOD CONTRASTED WITH THE WEAKNESS OF MAN AND THE FUTILITY OF IDOLS . If captive Israel is to be induced to turn' to God, and so hasten the time of its restoration to his favour and to its own land, it must be by rising to a worthy conception of the nature and attributes of the Almighty. The prophet, therefore, in the remainder of this chapter, paints in glorious language the power and greatness, dud at the same time the mercy, of God,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:13

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord? Mr. Cheyne remarks, that "in Isaiah there is a marked tendency to hypostatize the Spirit;" and the remark is undoubtedly a just one (see Isaiah 32:15 ; Isaiah 34:16 ; Isaiah 48:16 ; Isaiah 61:1 , etc.). In the present place, perhaps, the introduction of "the Spirit of the Lord" arises out of the remembrance of the part in creation which is assigned to the Spirit in Genesis 1:2 . He "moved," or "brooded," upon the face of the waters, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:15

Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket . "From nature," as Mr. Cheyne says, "we pass to history." If God is so great, so apart and by himself in relation to the material universe, what is he in relation to man? What are nations, compared to him, but "as a drop from a bucket," which drips from it, and is of no account? What are they, hut as the small dust of the balance, which lies on it but does not disturb its equilibrium? They are absolutely "as nothing" ( Isaiah 40:17 )—vanity... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:16

Lebanon is not sufficient to burn . Man may think that he must be of some account, since God has required of him sacrifice and burnt offering, from which he may suppose God to derive some satisfaction. But, the prophet says, even if man were to burn all Lebanon as firewood on God's altar, and offer there all the (clean) beasts of the entire tract, still God would be put under no obligation. Man would even then have paid less than his debt. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:16-26

The hopelessness and the simplicity of Divine service. "Lebanon is not sufficient to burn," etc.; "Not one faileth." If we were asked whether it was a very difficult or a very simple thing to serve the Lord, we should say, "It is both the one and the other; everything depends upon the way and the spirit in which we proceed." We learn— I. THAT MERE QUANTITY OF SERVICE IS VAIN AND FUTILE . "Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor will [all] the beasts thereof suffice... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:1-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:12-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:12-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:12-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:12-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:16-26

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