Homilist Isaiah 40:12-28 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span… "To whom then will ye liken God?" I. THAT THE GREATEST THINGS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD ARE NOTHING TO HIM. The ocean is great, great in its depths, breadths, contents, occupying by far the largest portion of this globe of ours. But He "hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand." The heaven is great; its expanse is immeasurable, its worlds and systems baffle all arithmetic, but He "meted out heaven with the span." The earth is great, great to us, though mere speck in the universe, and, it may be, an atom to other intelligences; but "He comprehendeth the dust in a measure," etc. What is the universe to God? You may compare an atom to the Andes, a raindrop to the Atlantic, a spark to the central fires of the creation; but you cannot compare the universe, great as it is, to the Creator. II. THAT THE GREATEST MINDS IN THE SPIRITUAL UNIVERSE ARE NOTHING TO HIM. "Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counsellor hath taught Him?" etc. (vers. 13, 14). The Bible gives us to understand that there is a spiritual universe far greater than the material, of which the material is but the dim mirror and feeble instrument — a universe containing intelligences innumerable in multitude and incalculable in their gradations of strength and intelligence. But what spirit or spirits at the head or hierarchy of these intelligences has ever given Him counsel, instructed or influenced Him in any matter? He is uninstructible: the only Being in the universe who is so. He knows all. Sooner speak of a spark enlightening the sun, than speak of a universe of intelligences adding aught to the knowledge of .God. He is absolutely original: the only Being in the universe who is so. We talk of original thinkers. Such creatures are mere fictions. He being so independent of all minds — 1. His universe must be regarded as the expression of Himself. No other being had a hand in it. 2. His laws are the revelation of Himself. No one counselled Him in His legislation. 3. His conduct is absolutely irresponsible, and He alone can be trusted with irresponsibility. III. THAT THE GREATEST INSTITUTIONS IN HUMAN SOCIETY ARE NOTHING TO HIM. Nations are the greatest things "in" human institutions. "But nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance." What were the greatest nations of the old world, or the most powerful of modern times? What are the greatest nations that have ever been, or are, compared to Him? Nothing, emptiness. Oh, ye magnates of the world, ye kings of the earth, what are ye in the presence of God? Less than animalcula dancing in the sun. IV. THAT THE GREATEST PRODUCTIONS OF HUMAN LABOUR ARE NOTHING TO HIM. "There is," said an eloquent French preacher, "nothing great but God." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? |
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