Isaiah 40:12-31 - Exposition

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, contrasting him with man ( Isaiah 40:15-17 , Isaiah 40:23 , Isaiah 40:28-31 ), with idols ( Isaiah 40:19 , Isaiah 40:20 ), and with the framework of material things ( Isaiah 40:21 , Isaiah 40:22 , Isaiah 40:26 ), and showing his infinite superiority to each and all. In contrasting him with man, he takes occasion to bring into prominence his goodness and loving-kindness to man, to whom he imparts a portion of his own might and strength ( Isaiah 40:29-31 ).