Isaiah 40:15 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.
Commentary says that verse 15 means that even the finest city with the best reputation is not worth much in comparison to God. Since humans tend to see things in comparative terms–Charlotte is a fabulous city. God is a fabulous God. God’s glory must be similar to Charlotte’s reputation.–It makes sense to me that when it comes to God, the syllogism doesn’t hold up. Bless us, humans need that confirmation.
Isaiah 40:16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
And I find that, repeatedly, despite the fact that I know God cannot be compared to anything that I know, my mind tries to make sense of God in human terms, with human comparisons. Today’s scripture reminds me that that’s not possible. God is so far beyond humans that any comparison to help me understand is pale at best.
Isaiah 40:17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;
Precious Savior, It is human to try to make sense of things we don’t understand in terms of things that we know. Thank You for the reminder that You do not, cannot, will not fit neatly into any models of understanding that I have. But just because I can’t truly comprehend You doesn’t mean I can’t understand who You are and who You are to me. Thank You. Amen.
Isaiah 40:17b …they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.
Have a blessed day.