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Isaiah 40:21&22

"21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:"

Oh, Isaiah!

The prophet's prophet. 

As we read yesterday, Isaiah is frequently quoted by the other authors of the Holy Scriptures, like all four of the Gospel writers. Writers throughout the ages quote Isaiah. And, more contemporary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr quoted Isaiah in his most famous speech, titled, “I Have a Dream.” This week we will continue to study Isaiah chapter forty making our way to what is Isaiah's most famous verse of ALL!

For today's verses; "Have ye NOT known? have ye NOT heard? hath it NOT been told you from the beginning? have ye NOT understood from the foundations of the earth?" Isaiah is addressing the idolaters of his day. Probably not much different than the idolaters of our day today. In the verses preceeding this; Isaiah describes the shameful and embarrassing ways idols are made. In today's verse he addresses the worshipers of idols. They know the object of their worship is FAKE. They are given abundant opportunity to learn of His existence and becoming acquainted with His majesty and glory. Isaiah is asking these questions sarcastically.

In the same breath Isaiah is answering his own questions, saying God is the sovereign monarch, making the entire earth His throne; "It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:"

To GOD the inhabitants of earth are like grasshoppers - as numerous and mighty as we are, we are nothing compared with God. The idea is that God is exalted and He looks down from His elevated position on all the inhabitants of the world; who appear to Him as insects- a busy, agirated, moving, impatient multitude, spread over the vast circle of the earth beneath Him.  This is a striking illustration of the insignificance of people. And, it's wrapped up in something as common as the tent you live in. Or, this is like our homes. A place of comfort, security and familiarity. It's domesticated.