5 Beyond Comparison: Isaiah 40:12-31
5
Beyond Comparison
Isaiah 40:12-31
Advertisers try to persuade us that their product is superior to all competition. In the most superlative language they tell us that what they offer is bigger, speedier, more powerful, more efficient and in every sense better than anything else on the market. Much of the time we don’t believe these claims of superiority, since every product claims to be better than every other. But what if we came across something so great, it couldn’t be compared to anything? Is there anything or anyone beyond comparison?
GROUP DISCUSSION. What have you heard God compared to? What have you sometimes compared God to?
PERSONAL REFLECTION. What are some problems which you don’t think (or you wonder if) God is big enough to handle? Or might not care about?
In today’s passage the prophet Isaiah (7th century B.C.) makes statements about God; yet there is an overwhelming sensation that God himself is speaking here about himself. In fact in some places God himself does speak in the first person. Read Isaiah 40:12-31.
1. While this passage is immense in its scope, what general picture does it paint of the Lord?
2. Given the fact that we have this incomparable God, why do you think we try to tell him how to run things—whether the world or our own lives?
3. Even small problems can seem too much while we experience them. How can the portrait of God in verses 11-12 encourage us at those times?
4. Notice how God is described in verses 13-14. What are some areas where you especially need to admit that God knows and understands more than you do?
5. Why does Isaiah start talking about the insignificance of nations in comparison to God (vv. 15-17)?
6. At what point do people or things become idols or substitutes for God (vv. 18-20)?
7. People with authority and power can exert significant control over our lives. Why can we trust God to overrule the world’s rulers when necessary (vv. 21-24)?
8. Traveling at the speed of light, it would take 137,000 years to reach the nearest galaxy. How does this help you feel the impact of verses 25-26?
9. Why do you think God challenges us to compare him to counselors, nations, idols, princes and rulers?
10. Israel complained that God seemed distant and uncaring (v. 27). How does this entire passage answer that charge?
11. What even richer encouragement does God give us when we feel weary and without strength (vv. 28-31)?
12. When you face large problems this week and are tempted to think God is distant or uncaring, how can you use this passage to remind yourself of God’s promises?
As you pray, express trust in the Lord. Thank him for loving you and sending his Son for you, no matter how insignificant you may feel in the face of this Scripture.
Now or Later
Write a letter to the Lord about some perplexing problem you’re facing. Express yourself honestly about your trust in him and also any doubts and fears. Quote a portion of Isaiah 40:12-31 that especially seems to apply. Seal up the letter and “mail” it by putting it someplace safe. Mark your calendar to open and reread the letter after a certain amount of time. You could address the letter to yourself and give it to someone with instructions to mail it to you on a certain date.