Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"All nations before Him are as nothing"
Text: Isaiah 40:17
THE GREATNESS OF THE LORD
One of the problems that Israel had was the exaltation of idols. Concurrently, their understanding and appreciation of the LORD became diminished! Isaiah the prophet sought to re-establish the greatness of the LORD.
“Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket,
And are counted as the small dust on the scales;
Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,
Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering.
All nations before Him are as nothing,
And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.”
Isaiah 40:15-17
1. The nations of the world compared to the LORD.
a) Israel admired the following:
i) Rich nations.
ii) Powerful nations.
b) Israel admired the deities of these nations.
i) It seemed as if the idols gave these nations wealth and power.
ii) The LORD did not seem to care about giving material blessings.
2. The LORD compared to the nations and islands.
a) The nations were compared to a mere “drop in a bucket”.
b) They were counted as “small dust”.
c) All these islands were but “a very little thing”.
d) All the nations and islands combined cannot equal the greatness of the LORD.
3. The significance of an idol.
a) The greatness of an idol was measured by the sacrifices made.
b) A lesser idol is offered a few animals as a sacrifice.
c) A greater deity idol is offered more sacrifices.
4. The worship of the LORD
a) If all the mighty trees of Lebanon were cut down and made into wood for burning.
b) If all the beasts were offered to the LORD in worship.
c) They would not be an adequate offering to the LORD.
d) In fact
i) All the nations are counted as “nothing” compared to God.
ii) All nations and islands are “less than nothing” in God’s sight.
iii) They are “worthless” compared to the greatness of the LORD.