Welcome to Day #18 in the Isaiah 40 Series!
Isaiah 40:18 “To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?”
As we continue on with verse 18, verse 17’s meaning becomes clearer (remember “Context Rules”). The two questions in verse 18 suggest that no one or no thing can truly be likened or compared to God- not the nations, not man, not idols; He is God after all, and over all.
Another simple study technique I received through doing Precept studies was the importance of rereading the text you are studying (again and again). This can get tedious, but it does pay off. How many times do we read something and tune out part way through? I know I do. So the repetitive readings help in that way. But, what is so exciting is when the Holy Spirit helps you see and understand scripture in a deeper way on the “100th time” through. This happened to me today with verse 18 (and trust me, I have read Isaiah 40 a lot over the years, and especially this month)!
Here is my “ah ha” moment regarding the latter portion of this verse, “or what likeness will you compare me”? If you jump ahead to verses 19-20 you will see that those verses address idols. So I think the “likeness” spoken of in verse 18 might be referring to idols, or the things we worship.
What idol will you compare with Him?
“For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.”
Read Isaiah 46:5-9 and see how these verses support the idea that idols are not equal to God. “He is God and there is no other” is a key repeated phrase throughout Isaiah 45.
Isaiah 48:11-12 says, “For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; for how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another. Listen to Me, O Jacob, even Israel whom I have called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last.”
He will not give His glory to another. But we do, don’t we? We give the glory due Him to others (people and things). People are things are not bad, but when they take the place of God or are exalted higher than God, there lies the problem.
Isaiah 40 is just one chapter in the book of Isaiah- which is one book out of 66 in the Bible. Yet, as we look back on the first 17 verses of Isaiah, and look forward to the next 14- we see how clearly God’s character is displayed in this chapter.
Remember. Take a look back over the titles of each post in this series. What depth this God has. He is not just our Comforter, not just in Control, but all these things and so much more too. He is beyond compare.
“To whom will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?
I have shared this wonderful song before, on the greatness and depth of God, but it is worth sharing again today:
Deep Breaths:
1. Memorize Isaiah 40:18
2. Read Isaiah 45 and record all the verses that talk the Lord being beyond compare; like no other.
3. Check out this list on the Names of God, and further explore what these names reveal about His character and greatness.