Isaiah 40:20 - Exposition

He that is so impoverished , etc.; rather, he that can only make a poor offering , i.e. that cannot spend much on religion. Chooseth a tree ; rather, chooseth wood—goes to the carpenter, and selects a good sound block of wood, out of which his idol shall be made. After this he has to find a skilful workman, who will carve his image for him and set it up, so that it shall not shake. As Delitzsch observes, "The thing carries its own satire" in the mere plain description of it. Is such a thing comparable to God?