Isaiah 40:12-16 says;

12  Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales? In the ancient near east they believed it was the job of the chief deity to bring order to the heavens and the earth. Isaiah is writing on a level that they could understand and will ultimately bring it back to the ONLY one true YHVH Elohim who is the Creator of it all.  Not just a chief god among many gods.

 13  Who has directed the Spirit of YHVH, or as His counselor has informed Him? The IVP says, “In the ancient Near East the major decisions were all made in the divine council. There the gods would consult with one another and share their information and opinions.” Isaiah, in question form, lets them know that there is none who can give Him counsel.

 14  With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and informed Him of the way of understanding? These are all rhetorical questions because, again, there is none else. Notice three of the Seven Spirits of YHVH in these verses…counsel, understanding and knowledge.

 15  Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust. The IVP says, “The dust of the earth was used to express abasement, smallness and insignificance in the Old Testament. In this passage the dust of the nations makes no significant difference in the scales. The Babylonians took no notice of a little dust on the scales when meat or fruit were being weighed.”

 16  Even Lebanon is not enough to burn, nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering. Lebanon was known for its vast amount of cedar trees and animals.  Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary write, “All Lebanon’s forest would not supply fuel enough to burn sacrifices worthy of the glory of Elohim.”

Isaiah 41:28 is repeating the same concept as Isaiah 40:13.  It says, “But when I look, there is no one, and there is no counselor among them who, if I ask, can give an answer.” In other words, there is no one who can give the Creator of the Universe counsel that He doesn’t already have.  Again, the greatness of our Elohim being made known.

1 Corinthians 2:16 says, “For who has known the mind of YHVH, that he will instruct [counsel] Him? But we have the mind of Messiah.” Paul is giving the long awaited answer to the question that has been posed by the prophets.  The one who truly has the mind of Messiah will also know what the mind of YHVH is because they are one.  Yeshua only taught what His Father spoke and made the way for us to come to the Father and know His counsel and ways. When we receive the Messiah and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Word, we have the enablement to walk in the Spirit of Counsel; these are tools given to us as believers.

Have a blessed and shalom filled day!!

Tammy

Courtesy of
River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a