God Is Eternal Series

Let me introduce you to a person called Michael Rae. In his own words, he is on a path to immortality which involves a near-abstinence level of food, the dedication of an accountant to approve every calorie, and an obsession with death.

The youthful, 38-year-old research assistant studying longevity and human ageing weighs in at a sparse 115 pounds stretched over his six-foot frame. He is convinced his calorie-slashing lifestyle will lead directly to a life extended by as many as 10 to 15 extra years.

He explained recently in a published profile on himself that "The ageing effect is from the calories. It is raw, simple mathematics. Fewer calories, lower ageing. Period."

The Calgary native, a self-titled "human test case," is part of a growing movement that believes severely limiting the number of calories will vastly extend life expectancy.

The idea of youth restoration and life extension has long captivated the human imagination, from Dorian Gray’s cursed portrait and Ponce de Leon’s fountain of youth to cryogenic freezing and Botox. (http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=648868)

As obsessed as these people are in obtaining immortality, how about considering an eternal God. Basic logic tells you that if there ever was a time where there was nothing, there would be nothing today. “Out of nothing, nothing comes”. It is is a philosophical expression of a thesis first argued by Parmenides, often stated in its Latin form: ex nihilo nihil fit. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_comes_from_nothing). This is a concept that is difficult for our finite minds to conceive, a being before time itself. We get so focused on the elements that we experience in time, confusion, questions, suffering, choices, that to consider a being outside of time who interacts with us in time, it is hard to fathom. Even when we may come to know this factually, is it not always integrated with the understanding of our lives.

There are times when what we known has not yet come to what we believe. We may know like those in Isaiah 40, that God may be the Creator of heaven and earth, know all of his creation by name, and hold the judges and rulers of this earth accountable for their actions, but does he still have concern for his people? Even more specific, does He have concern for me?

In Isaiah 40, the prophet reproves the people of God, who are now supposed to be captives in Babylon for their unbelief and distrust of God, and the dejections and despondencies of their spirit under their affliction (Henry, M. (1996, c1991). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Is 40:27). Peabody: Hendrickson.)

The remnant of the Jews held in Captivity in Babylon looked back, they saw failure and sin; and they needed encouragement. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1992). Be comforted. An Old Testament study. (Is 40:1). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.) Israel in exile had supposed that Yahweh had forgotten her. The temple was lying in ruins, and the temple was that spot alone where God and man could meet in sacramental worship. Jerusalem was now destroyed, and Jerusalem alone was God’s chosen city, and as such was as much the medium of unfolding revelation as had been the line of David. The Holy Land, which God had given his people forever (Gen. 17:8; 28:13) was now overrun by hordes of heedless pagans.( Knight, G. A. F. (1984). Servant theology : A commentary on the book of Isaiah 40-55 (Rev. and updated new ed.). International theological commentary (23). Edinburgh; Grand Rapids: Handsel Press; W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.) The book of Isaiah deals with the topic of bondage. Isaiah uses this bondage as a symbol of the greater, spiritual bondage in which they are engulfed.( Young, E. (1972). The Book of Isaiah: Volume 3, Chapters 40-66 (65). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)

In Isaiah 40:27–31, the prophet Isaiah, affirms Yahweh’s concern for their situation by focusing their attention on God’s nature. He is the everlasting God, Yahweh, the covenant God, the Creator of heaven and earth. He tirelessly works out his plan of salvation for his people. Their restoration is based on his nature. He will renew the strength of his people, but this is contingent upon their willingness to submit themselves to him.

In this we see:

1) The Wonder of the Eternal God Declared (Isaiah 40:27)

Isaiah 40:27 [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"?

It is important to note that the address in Isaiah 40:27, is to Jacob and Israel. These are God’s professing people, a people in covenant with him. They come into covenant with God and were His people. This should have been the realization to trust God.

• God had promised to make them a blessing to the nations in His due time (Gen. 12:3; 28:13–15).