I never dreamed the Bible mentioned the Spirit of God as often as it does!
He is everywhere in the Word!
And today’s verse, even being a question, is significant as we learn of God the Holy Spirit.
The Prophet Isaiah asks, “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?” Isaiah 40:13
Should I capitalize the pronouns referring to Him, the verse would look like this: “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being His counsellor hath taught Him?”
The implication here is twofold. The Spirit is sovereign, all mighty, no one commanding Him. Nor is He ever short of knowledge, not once having ever needed a teacher!
Omnipotent, all powerful!
And omniscient, all knowing!
That’s God, rather He is God!
But this morning I’d like us to examine one of those verbs more fully. The one about the Holy Spirit never being “directed.” Isaiah again: “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD?“
It is spelled “takan” in Hebrew, pronounced “taw-khan,” accenting the last syllable. And of course it means “directed.” But let me show you how the Bible translators (King James Version) expressed the word long ago.
1. They have it meaning “to weigh” 3 times! The Holy Spirit, so vast, He is incalculable! He is “without measure!” No wonder every Christian alive today could be “filled” with the Spirit, and He yet never be one iota diminished! He is un-weighable! Here’s “takan” in Proverbs 16:2, using this very emphasis. “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.” His Own Spirit weighing most of all!
2. Then 9 more times in the Old Testament “takan” means “equal!” In the sense of being “on the level,” fair and right and even sinless! Listen to a godly prophet (echoing God) accusing the backslidden Israelites, Ezekiel 18:25. “Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?” The Holy Spirit is, then, always “equal,” always right! Always “balanced,” never “off-center!” Thus, no one has ever proved Him wrong!
Or maybe the “equal” idea here simply means no one has ever “equaled” the Holy Spirit … in any capacity whatsoever! He is supreme! Without match! Incomparable!
3. Furthermore, twice “takan” means “to ponder!” As used here in Proverbs 21:2. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” I think we’re now being told that we can never fully “understand” the heights and depths and breadth of God the Holy Spirit! He is unfathomable! Think about Him all you choose, a good thing to do, but realize you (we) shall … even after a lifetime of “knowing” Him … still be just beginners!
Wow!
How this clause magnifies God the Holy Spirit!
Un-directable!
Un-weighable!
Un-mistakable!
Un-limited!
Yet He, because of salvation, indwells the hearts of every saved man and woman!
This Friday, try to think of His greatness … every single hour.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell