Isa 40:21-31 | TNotes | STEP | 40:21 Idolaters fail to discern who God is or to respond wisely to him. The godly in Israel would understand and see the hand of God in the unfolding story of redemption, which includes both exile and restoration (41:20 ).

40:21 ^a Idolaters fail to discern who God is or to respond wisely to him. The godly in Israel would understand and see the hand of God in the unfolding story of redemption, which includes both exile and restoration (41:20 ^b).
40:22 ^c God sits enthroned as King over all the earth (see 6:1 ^d; Pss 2:4 ^e; 80:1 ^f; 99:1 ^g; 102:12 ^h; 113:5 ⁱ). God is so immense and awesome that humans are like grasshoppers in comparison.

• Belief in God as creator of the heavens and earth contradicts the popular Babylonian and Egyptian belief that the sun, moon, and stars represent gods.

• like a curtain ... his tent: See also Ps 104:2 ^j.
40:23 ^k great people: God is unimpressed by human power and fame.
40:25 ^l The Holy One is a shortened form of “the Holy One of Israel,” a common designation for God in Isaiah (see also 10:17 ^m; 43:15 ⁿ; Ps 22:3 ^o).
40:26 ^p Look up into the heavens: Just as God directed Abraham to look into the sky (Gen 15:5 ^q), he also directed Israel to look to the stars for encouragement (see also Isa 51:2-3 ^r). The cosmos bears witness to God’s great power and incomparable strength. The Strong One is able to strengthen the weak (40:27-31 ^s; see Ps 147:5 ^t).
40:27 ^u does not see your troubles ... ignores your rights: The coming exile, a period when God’s powerful presence and rescue would not be seen, would prompt questions (see also 49:14 ^v; 54:7 ^w; Lam 5:20-22 ^x).
40:28 ^y heard ... understood: Cp. 40:21 ^z.

• the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth: Creation reveals God’s power and wisdom. He is also the Creator of the age to come, a world of righteousness, justice, and peace (45:8 ^aa; 48:6-7 ^ab; 65:17-18 ^ac).

• He never grows weak or weary: God is not susceptible to human limitations.
40:29 ^ad The weak in this context are those who face persecution or oppression (such as the Babylonian exile); the Lord is their only recourse (see 49:4-5 ^ae; 50:4 ^af; Pss 68:9 ^ag; 119:28 ^ah).
40:31 ^ai trust in the Lord: See 33:2 ^aj; 49:23 ^ak; 51:5 ^al.

• like eagles: This powerful image of rescue reminded readers of the Exodus event of long ago (Exod 19:4 ^am; Deut 32:10-12 ^an; see also Ps 103:5 ^ao).