In this post I will be writing notes about G. Campbell Morgan’s Commentary on Isaiah 40:12-:31. It’s Chapter 22 Part C of his commentary entitled “Prophecies of Peace: Purpose of Peace; Majesty of Jehovah.” Here is the link: The Bible Book of Isaiah – Commentary by Rev. G. Campbell Morgan (Full Text and PDF). Here is the scripture passage:

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,
or instruct the Lord as his counselor?
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
or showed him the path of understanding?
15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;
they are regarded by him as worthless
and less than nothing.
18 With whom, then, will you compare God?
To what image will you liken him?
19 As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,
and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and fashions silver chains for it.
20 A person too poor to present such an offering
selects wood that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
to set up an idol that will not topple.
21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:12-31 NIV)

Notes:

The Purpose of Peace

The Majesty of Jehovah

“In elaboration of his declaration of Jehovah as the Mighty One, the prophet [Isaiah] first presented Him in His majesty. This he set forth as to its essential nature; by comparison with false gods; and as demonstrated in different ways.”

Essential

The essential majesty of Jehovah is revealed in His might, His wisdom, and His government.

Might: Morgan says, “The essential majesty of Jehovah is revealed first in His might. This is seen in the perfect adjustment of creation; the measured waters, heaven meted out, the dust comprehended, mountains and hills weighed. Every phrase suggests moreover, the perfect ease with which Jehovah accomplishes these things. The whole creation is seen as known, ordered, and upheld by the might of Jehovah.”

Wisdom: “It is revealed also in the fact of His wisdom.” This is stated in the form of questions that admit of no answer other than “such as recognize the fact that Jehovah acts without instruction and without advice.” The questions in verses 12-13 are basically asking, “Who has done what God has done? Who did He have to seek for advice or instruction?” The answer is that no one has done what God has done. No one can compare to Him in wisdom or in might. Two of God’s attributes are that He is Omniscient (All-Knowing) and Omnipotent (All-Powerful). He contained all the wisdom and power within Himself to be able to create the world and form everything perfectly within it. He did not have to ask anyone for advice or help. He created it all by Himself, without instruction from anyone. Read verses 12-14 again and see how Isaiah is saying that God’s essential majesty is revealed in His might and in His wisdom, which is displayed in His creation of the world.

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,
or instruct the Lord as his counselor?
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
or showed him the path of understanding?
(Isaiah 40:12-14)

Government: This essential might is finally demonstrated by His government of all that which He has created, in unaided wisdom and all-sufficient might. Morgan says, “The things which man ever thinks of as great – the nations, the isles of the sea, the mountains, and the beasts – are characterized by their littleness when placed in comparison with Himself.”

By Comparision

“The whole movement of the prophetic utterances was aimed at recalling the people from their idolatry to the recognition, worship, and service of Jehovah…In view of the essential might, wisdom, and government of God as manifesting His majesty, the inquiry is raised as to who can be likened to Him; or what idea, apart from the truth concerning Himself, can be placed in comparison with Him. To the mind of the prophet the question is enough to reveal the impossibility of comparison.” I think Morgan means that the question in v.18 of, “With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?” is enough to reveal the impossibility of comparison.

“The vision of the majesty of Jehovah in the might and wisdom of His creation, and in the perfect ease of His government, reveals the unutterable folly of any attempt to supplant Him by the feeble work of men who themselves are as nothing when compared with Jehovah.”

Demonstrated

“Finally Isaiah shows that the majesty of Jehovah is demonstrated in creation; in actual government on earth and in the heavens; and in the method of grace with Israel.”

Creation

Isaiah reminds the people of the majesty of Jehovah in creation by alluding to their own sacred writings. In v.28 Isaiah asks the people, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” To accept these truths about God which they were familiar with from their sacred writings meant that they recognized “the superlative and incomparable majesty of Jehovah.” And when Isaiah asks, “Do you not know? Have you not heard?” it would bring to their minds all of the teachings from their sacred writings…all of the things they had heard about God and His majesty.

Government

“That majesty is seen moreover, in His perfect government. He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and in His presence humanity is infinitely small. The whole created order He encompasses as He stretches the heavens around the earth as a curtain, and constitutes them a tent in which He dwells Himself. The figure is one of striking beauty and suggestiveness. By it the prophet calls attention to the earth and the encompassing firmament, like a curtain of gauze, as the Hebrew word suggests; and reminds them that within that curtain, enwrapping the whole earth, is the presence of Jehovah. That is not His final and only dwelling-place. It is but a tent, and suggests His nearness to all the earth and the inhabitants thereof. This God is more than a presence. He is actively reigning, and within that activity the great ones of the earth are completely under His control, and of themselves, as apart from His will, find no stability.

That government moreover, extends to the heavens which like a curtain form His tent of nearness to the affairs of earth. Again challenging men as to whom they will liken God, he bids them gaze beyond the earth, and into the wonders of the heavens, and see that these also have their origin in God; that His government is over them; that by His wisdom they are marshalled as an army; and in His strength they are upheld and sustained.”

This is imagery we can use in our meditation time. The firmament is the visible heavens…the sky. So envision the earth enwrapped by the heavens like a curtain…and then envision God’s presence within that curtain. But, as Morgan said, God is more than just a presence. He is the living God who is actively reigning over His creation.

As Morgan said earlier, “The whole movement of the prophetic utterances was aimed at recalling the people from their idolatry to the recognition, worship, and service of Jehovah.” Here in Isaiah 40, in v.18 Isaiah says, “With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? And in v.25 God says, “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.” The answer to this question is that God is the only true God. You will see this stated in many verses throughout the Old Testament…where God is stating that He alone is God and calling His people to return to Him. Here are some examples:

“5I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. 7I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.” Isaiah 45:5-7

“See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.” Deuteronomy 32:39

“so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. There is no other!” 1 Kings 8:60

“Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me’.” Isaiah 44:6

“Do not tremble or fear. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are My witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no other Rock; I know not one.” Isaiah 44:8

“Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me, for there is no Savior besides Me.” Hosea 13:4

In these verses that we are studying today, Isaiah 40:12-31, Isaiah is challenging the people…he is saying, “Who can you compare God to? Look at all the works of His hands. Look at His creation, His government of the world, His grace towards His people. Who can compare with Him?” And the answer to those questions is: no one. When you look at the Lord and all of His attributes, no one can compare with His Almighty power, His righteousness, His holiness, His wisdom. And no one can compare to Him in terms of the works of His hands. He alone created the world, without having to ask for advice or direction (v.14), and without having to ask for help. So first look at His Almighty power, and then look at His grace. Morgan says that “the majesty of Jehovah is revealed to men by the grace in which with patience He succours and sustains His failing and fainting people, even more than by the splendour of His government of the universe, or by the awe-inspiring wonder of His creative might and wisdom.”

---

Grace

“Finally turning to the people in direct address, and appealing to them on the basis of their history, the prophet demonstrated the majesty of God as revealed in His grace. The darkness of the circumstances in the midst of which these words were spoken, and the failure of their vision, had led them to an unbelief which declared that their way was hid from Jehovah, and their Judgment passed away from God. In the light of the truths which the prophet had been re-enforcing as to the nearness and government of God, he inquired as to why they should make such assertions.”

Verse 27 says, “Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’?” The previous verse talks about how God governs the starry hosts. It says, “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (v.26) Isaiah had reminded them that Jehovah’s presence was there within that curtain of the heavens (the sky) enwrapping the whole earth. And Morgan said, “This God is more than a presence. He is actively reigning”…governing and watching over the stars in the sky. And we are supposed to be comforted by that…because in the same way that He is actively reigning over the creation (nature), He is actively reigning over us. And He shows us grace. He had not forgotten His people.  

Calling on God for Strength

So Isaiah has reminded them of God’s Almighty strength. And Morgan says, “Did they not know His inherent strength, that the everlasting One, the Creator, was incapable of fainting or of weariness? This strength moreover, was at the disposal of those in need of it.” And that is the message here. God is calling on His people to look up to Him for help. He longs to give them strength. He longs to be merciful towards them. You are probably familiar with Isaiah 40:30-31, which says,

“28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

So verse 30 is saying that even young people will grow tired and weary; even young people will stumble and fall. But at the end of verse 28 it says, “He (God) will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.” So people…even young people will grow tired and weary, but God never grows tired. And God’s inherent strength is at our disposal…available to us. Verse 29 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” And, therefore, although people…even young people…will grow tired and weary, those who hope in the Lord and who call on Him for help, will receive strength from Him.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones has a helpful way of saying it. In his sermon series about Spiritual Depression, he says that God infuses strength into us. Here are some definitions of infuse: 1) to cause to be permeated with something (such as a principle or quality) that alters usually for the better; 2) to fill, or pervade; 3) to allow (a liquid) to flow into a patient, vein, etc.  That last definition makes me think of getting an IV and feeling something healing flowing into your body…refreshing you. There is also imagery that has to do with the image of God being the fountain from whom our blessings flow. I think faith is pictured as a conduit pipe between us and the fountain…and spiritual graces flow from God to us through that conduit pipe. So take time to envision that. You could use either the imagery of an IV or a conduit pipe. I don’t like needles, so when I think of the IV, I just think of a patch on my arm that light energy flows through from the medicine bag to my arm and throughout my body. Or you could envision a fountain filled with healing energy/water. Envision yourself growing tired and weary. And then feel strength from God flowing into you…being infused into you…reviving and renewing you. I think this verse is talking about strength in terms of spiritual strength rather than physical strength. Remember that in this life we are fighting the fight of faith. It is a spiritual battle. We are running in the Christian race towards the heavenly prize. And God gives us strength so that we will not falter…we will not fall short of the heavenly rest. The book of Hebrews talks about that a lot. I will write more about the Christian race in another post.

Morgan says, “All human strength in itself inevitably fails. Even the youths and the young men, those in the period of life characterized by buoyancy and ability, must inevitably faint and fail and fall. Humanity rightly related to God cannot so fail. The condition of strength is that men should wait upon the Lord. When that condition is fulfilled, even though there is a fainting and a weariness, there is also a renewal of strength. The experience of such renewal the prophet described in words remarkably chosen and arranged so as to reveal the greatness of the strength available to those who wait upon the Lord. Whereas we might be inclined to think that the progress of ability would be from walking to running, and from running to flying, the prophet commences with flight, and then speaks of running, and finally of walking. Herein he recognizes the true and deepest experience of human need. In the day when it is possible to spread the wings and fly, there is less consciousness of the need of help than in the day of running upon the dusty highway; and the hour when man is most conscious of the need of help is that in which he can no longer spread his wings in flight, or hasten along the highway, but must walk patiently and persistently. Yet for all these days there is strength in God. In the day of flight, those who wait upon the Lord mount as eagles, that is, with perfect ease. In the day of running, those who wait upon Him are able to continue without weariness. In the day of walking, they are able to walk without fainting.

The majesty of Jehovah is revealed to men by the grace in which with patience He succours and sustains His failing and fainting people, even more than by the splendour of His government of the universe, or by the awe-inspiring wonder of His creative might and wisdom.“

I have posted a hymn on here called “We Shall Run and Not Be Weary” by Barney Elliott Warren – Learning to Live by Faith that is based on these verses in Isaiah. It would be helpful for you to use during you meditation time with the imagery from this post of God infusing strength into you. I will write more about the Christian race in another post hopefully soon.

---