Isaiah 48:13 - Exposition

Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth (comp. Isaiah 40:12 , Isaiah 40:22 , Isaiah 40:26 , Isaiah 40:28 ; Isaiah 42:5 ; Isaiah 44:24 ; Isaiah 45:12 , Isaiah 45:18 ). As the Maker of heaven and earth, God is entitled to the attention and obedience of all the dwellers in heaven and earth. My right hand hath spanned the heavens; i.e. measured them, as with a span ( Isaiah 41:12 ) fixed their limits and dimensions. When I call unto them, they stand up together (comp. Isaiah 40:26 ). Heaven and earth, and all things that are in them, except man, are prompt to perform God's will, and rise up at once at his call to show their readiness. The metaphor is drawn from the conduct of intelligent agents.