Do you not know? Do you not hear? (From Isaiah 40:21-31)
A series of questions God asks us…
Isaiah 40:21-31 (ESV) Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? (22) It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; (23) who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. (24) Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. (25) To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. (26) Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. (27) Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? (28) Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. (29) He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. (30) Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; (31) but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
— Powerful words from God… So let’s dig in. (Circle the correct answer)
Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
Q1. Isaiah 40:21 sets the table for what follows, so reading ahead, the question is;
— What are we not understanding?
a/ Who is in control? b/ Who created all things? c/ Both a & b.
Again from Vs.21… Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
Q2. What are we supposed to understand from the beginning, the foundation of the earth?
a/ Is there a Creator? b/ Who created all things? c/ Both a & b.
Q3. Why are we supposed to understand this?
a/ From early teachings. b/ From instinctual knowledge. c/ Both a & b.
Q4. From Vs.22… It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in
— What are we supposed to see from the picture described to us here?
a/ The immensity of God. b/ The power of God. c/ Both a & b.
Q5. From Vs.23-24… who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. (24) Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
— What is knowledge is asked of us here?
a/ How plants die. b/ How winds can destroy crops. c/ How God over-rules rulers of the earth.
From Vs.26… Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.
Q6. Looking up high… What are we to be seeing that would cause us to admire God?
a/ angels b/ clouds c/ the stars and planets
From Vs.27… Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Q7. Who is God speaking to?
a/ Jacob and Israel. b/ The stars and planets. c/ All those who put their faith in Him.
(Cont’d on Pg.#2)
From Vs.28… Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
Q8. What is told us of God here?
a/ He is an everlasting Creator God. b/ He doesn’t get tired.
c/ Mankind can never comprehend all His ways. d/ All of these…
From Vs.29… He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Q9. Who is God speaking to?
a/ Jacob and Israel. b/ The stars and planets. c/ All those who put their faith in Him.
Q10. Fill in the blanks for Vs.30…
“Even youths shall faint and be _______, and young men shall fall __________;”
a/ sad – down b/ weary – exhausted c/ revived – in love
Q11. Fill in the blanks for Vs.31…
“but they who wait for the LORD shall _______ _____ ________; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
a/ renew their strength b/ quit and leave c/ weep and mourn
Q12. What are we to do to renew our strength?
We are supposed to… a/ run away from God. b/ loose hope in God. c/ wait upon the Lord.
Q13. What does it mean to “wait upon the Lord”?
We’re supposed to… a/ stand and do nothing. b/ expect big tips. c/ watch for His calling.
We might think of waiting on the Lord in terms of waiting on tables in a restaurant.
— This would be a mistake. For it is not about waiting bored and frustrated, nor is it about being busy serving multiple patrons. Both these don’t fit the meaning of the thoughts that originated this verse.
Q14. Think about a servant waiting upon a sovereign king… What would he be busy doing?
a/ Playing games online waiting for the next customer. b/ Watching for any summons from the king.
Q15. Would it be right for this servant to leave his post to serve others?
a/ No, he is a servant of the king. b/ Yes, others are just as important as the king.
See the promise from Vs.31… but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
— Let us commit afresh to the FIRST and greatest commandment; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” – Then we show our obedience by obeying the second great commandment, “to love our neighbour as ourselves”. (Mat 22:37-40) …KK
(Click here fore PDF copy Pg.#1)
(Click here fore PDF copy Pg.#2)