That Would be Ridiculous!

Read: Isaiah 40:12-26

It is a pleasure to observe someone who is truly skilled in what he does. There is beauty in work done well. That is what I had the privilege of observing a few weeks ago when two of my family members built a new deck for me. Such a blessing. As I thought about that day, I smiled when I remembered that there was one thing I didn't do while they were working. I never asked them if they could use a bit of advice. That would have truly been a ridiculous thing to do since I can't even cut Christmas paper neatly!! Is it any wonder that my "expertise" wasn't sought? There is surely wisdom in knowing when we should step in to advise and when we should simply stand back and smile.

In Isaiah 40:12-26, we are reminded how foolish it truly is to give God advice. In these verses the prophet spells out the unfathomable chasm there is between not only our understanding and God's but also His other attributes and our own.

The first 39 chapters of Isaiah speak a great deal about God's judgment which would be meted out on many different nations. There are also events in Israel's history that are enumerated; however, beginning in chapter 40, the picture changes to comforting words for God's people, Isaiah 40:1. Beautiful details about Messiah are revealed within these chapters. Details that cover not only His atoning death but the glorious kingdom He has planned for His people. In the verses we will look at today, we begin to see the awesomeness of God. His wisdom and power have no equal. Comforting truths that were relevant in Isaiah's time and continue to be relevant today. I love verses 13-14 which ask us questions.

1. Who could give God advice and teach Him something new? That would be more foolish than if I had taken the saw from my loved ones and offered to teach them a new way of doing their work!

2. Who could teach God anything concerning what is just or right? Does the One Who is truly good have anything to learn about what is right? Yet people dare to rewrite the words of scripture to match their opinions, disregarding the clear teaching of the Bible.

In Isaiah 40:15-17, we are reminded of the majesty of God compared with what He has made. The leaders of the nations themselves are under His authority.  How much honor does He deserve? All of the trees and animals in Lebanon's forests were not sufficient to make an offering that would be worthy of our God. Yet, in verses 18-20, we observe the fact that people try to make gods for themselves. The humor is sweet here.

Imagine fashioning a god and putting pretty little golden and silver chains on it. Dressing it up to be worshiped, but it gets even better. A person who lacked funds could choose wood that wouldn't decay and then enlist the help of a craftsman to create an idol that wouldn't topple over. Oh, how ridiculous it is to make an idol to worship that is weaker than the one who bows down to it.

This week, I heard the testimony of a man who lived in Cambodia during the time of the Killing Fields. In the home where he grew up, his family had an idol. Each day, when he left for school he would announce to it that he was leaving, and when he returned home, he told it that he was now home. So sad, but God opened this man's eyes when his idol was smashed and his grandfather was killed by the Comer Rouge. He now loves the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He has a ministry to those who still worship idols. God be praised!

In verses 21-23, Isaiah reminds us that God's Word was in place before He created the world. He is not only Creator, He is judge. He will judge even the people the world calls great. What a reminder that justice will be done. There is nothing that God does not see or hear, Psalm 94:9-11.  All that is inequitable now will be made right. No, we can't imagine how this will occur, but there is no promise that God has made that will not be fulfilled by the One Who cannot lie, Titus 1:2. Every leader has boundaries that only the Lord knows, and their time of prominence will come to an end, Isaiah 40:24.

In Isaiah 40:25-26, God asks another question.

3.To whom will we compare Him? He answers by reminding us of His knowledge of the minutia concerning stars. Almighty God is in charge of the orderliness of the universe, and He also knows the name of each star. That's just the beginning. To those who feel unknown and unloved, these verses are a reminder that God knows each person. He longs that none are lost, 2 Peter 3:9. He wants us to be involved in the greatest work that can be done. Making Him known and getting to know Him more and more. His beautiful stars are a reminder of His unfathomable love and boundless wisdom. The love that brought Him to the earth to make atonement for our sins, 1 John 2:1-2; John 3:16.

Is there any advice we can give God that would help Him? That would be ridiculous, but there is something even more ridiculous. Not receiving Him and becoming His child, John 1:12-13. He has said that today is the day of salvation. There is still time, and it is the prayer of those in this church that many will be saved by the Seeking Savior, Luke 19:10.