Isaiah 40:21
Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
Isaiah 40:21
This verse functions as a rhetorical question meant to awaken Israel to the reliability of God’s communication. The people are reminded of foundational revelation: God spoke from the beginning, and the stories of creation and history reveal His power and purposes. In a time when exile and uncertainty eclipse memory of God’s faithfulness, Isaiah asks if they have forgotten what has been told, transmitted, and preserved. The cadence of “Have ye not known? Have ye not heard?” echoes prophetic formulae designed to jolt attention toward the certainty and accessibility of divine truth. The “foundations of the earth” phrase links creation to revelation—God’s activity beneath and beneath history is intelligible and knowable.
Theologically, this passage emphasizes revelation as God’s initiative. It counters despair with reminder: truth has history and testimony. It anchors trust not in human memory alone but in the character of God who has spoken creation into being and spoken to His people through prophets. It also guards against cynicism: even in exile, God has not abandoned His people; He has prepared and disclosed His plans. This verse reinforces the theme of God’s accessibility—what He has spoken is clear, true, and knowable.
Today we face information overload and competing narratives. The question invites believers to return to what God has disclosed—Scripture, creeds, communal memory, and the witness of Jesus. When life feels unstable, revisit foundational truths: God is Creator; He is faithful; He has spoken authoritatively about identity, purpose, and hope. Use this as a mental check: Am I trusting cultural memes or the reliable testimony of God? Practically, engage in weekly disciplines that center on hearing and reflecting God’s word—Sabbath, Bible study, preaching, and worship. In communities, retell God’s past faithfulness to younger generations, helping the next generation anchor their hopes in known divine truth rather than shifting cultural trends.
Cross-References
- Psalm 78:1-7
- Deuteronomy 32:7
- Romans 10:17
- 2 Timothy 3:14-17
- Hebrews 1:1-2