Isaiah 40:14
With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
ISAIAH 40:14
Isaiah 40:14 continues the theme of divine supremely independent wisdom, asking who directed the Spirit of the LORD or taught him in judgment. The verse reinforces God’s sovereignty over the very source of life and truth. It challenges any notion that God’s path could be learned from others or altered by anyone’s instruction. In context, the prophet is dismantling human presumption to lay hold of wisdom that belongs to God alone. It also echoes creation language—God’s Spirit is the source of all reason and order, and no other teacher can claim mastery over him.
This verse asserts God’s essential independence and the primacy of divine revelation. It reinforces the doctrine that God’s ways are not derived from human insight but originate with him. It also highlights the vulnerability of human pride: even the Spirit’s path is not something God needs to learn or be taught about. Theologically, it strengthens trust in God’s perfect knowledge and unchanging nature, and this has implications for how believers approach wisdom and discernment.
For readers today, this verse invites humility in areas of uncertainty. If you’ve been tempted to treat your own cleverness as ultimate authority, this is a reminder that divine wisdom surpasses ours. Seek God first in prayer and Scripture, invite wise counsel anchored in biblical truth, and be open to learning from the Spirit’s guidance. In church life, avoid overconfidence in human tradition; instead, cultivate a posture of listening to God.
Cross-References: 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; Romans 11:34; Job 32:8