Isaiah 40:24

Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.

Yea, they shall not be planted {H5193}; yea, they shall not be sown {H2232}: yea, their stock {H1503} shall not take root {H8327} in the earth {H776}: and he shall also blow {H5398} upon them, and they shall wither {H3001}, and the whirlwind {H5591} shall take {H5375} them away as stubble {H7179}.

Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely their stem taken root in the ground, when he blows on them, they dry up, and the whirlwind carries them off like straw.

No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble.

Yea, they have not been planted; yea, they have not been sown; yea, their stock hath not taken root in the earth: moreover he bloweth upon them, and they wither, and the whirlwind taketh them away as stubble.

Isaiah 40:24 is a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and the utter insignificance of human power when compared to His might. This verse continues the theme established in the preceding verses of Isaiah chapter 40, which emphasize God's incomparable greatness as Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and His control over all earthly rulers.

Context

This verse is part of the "Book of Consolation" (Isaiah 40-66), which begins with a message of hope and comfort for Israel, particularly in light of their impending or ongoing Babylonian exile. After declaring comfort and the coming glory of the Lord, Isaiah contrasts God's eternal nature with the fleeting existence of humanity. Verses 21-23 declare that God "brings the princes to nothing" and "makes the judges of the earth as vanity." Verse 24 then illustrates how this happens, using vivid agricultural imagery to describe the sudden and complete removal of those who seem powerful in human eyes.

Key Themes

  • God's Supreme Sovereignty: The verse vividly portrays God as the ultimate authority, effortlessly dismantling human structures and powers. Earthly rulers, despite their perceived strength, are utterly dependent on God's allowance and can be removed at His will. This underscores God's eternal power and understanding.
  • The Transience of Human Power: The imagery of not being "planted," "sown," or "taking root" signifies a lack of stability, permanence, and true foundation for human authority. Unlike God's everlasting kingdom, human empires and leaders are temporary and fragile.
  • Divine Judgment and Swiftness: The actions of God "blowing upon them" and the "whirlwind" taking them away highlight the speed and decisiveness of divine judgment. What appears strong can be rendered powerless in an instant.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "blow" (nashaph) implies a forceful puff or breath, suggesting that a mere exhalation from God is enough to cause destruction. This echoes the concept of God's divine breath or ruach, which can create life but also bring judgment. The "whirlwind" (suphah or sa'ar) is frequently used in the Bible to describe a powerful, often destructive manifestation of God's presence or judgment, emphasizing the irresistible force of His will. The comparison to "stubble" (qash) is potent; stubble is the dry, worthless residue left after harvest, easily scattered and consumed by fire or wind, symbolizing utter worthlessness and easy disposal.

Practical Application

For believers, Isaiah 40:24 offers immense comfort and reassurance. It reminds us that no earthly power, government, or oppressive force can ultimately stand against God's plan. When facing powerful adversaries or feeling overwhelmed by worldly systems, this verse encourages us to place our trust in the unwavering power of God, rather than the fleeting strength of humans. It also serves as a warning against pride and self-exaltation for those in positions of authority, highlighting that all human power is ultimately derived from and subject to God's supreme reign.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 41:16

    Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, [and] shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

  • Isaiah 17:13

    The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but [God] shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

  • Jeremiah 23:19

    Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.

  • 2 Kings 10:11

    So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.

  • Isaiah 17:11

    In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: [but] the harvest [shall be] a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.

  • Isaiah 37:7

    Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

  • Job 18:16

    His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.

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