Who has directed the Spirit of the LORDThis phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and omniscience of God. The rhetorical question implies that no one has the authority or capability to guide or instruct the Spirit of the LORD. In the biblical context, the "Spirit of the LORD" refers to God's active presence and power in the world. This aligns with the creation narrative in
Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit of God is described as hovering over the waters, indicating divine involvement in creation. The phrase underscores the idea that God's wisdom and plans are beyond human comprehension, resonating with
Job 38:4, where God questions Job about the creation of the earth, highlighting human limitations.
or informed Him as His counselor?
This part of the verse further stresses the incomparability of God's wisdom. The rhetorical question suggests that God requires no advice or counsel from any being, as His understanding is perfect and complete. This is consistent with passages likeRomans 11:34, which echoes the sentiment that no one can fathom the mind of the Lord or serve as His advisor. Historically, kings and rulers often had counselors to guide them, but this verse asserts that God, the ultimate King, needs no such guidance. Theologically, this points to the self-sufficiency and omnipotence of God, reinforcing the belief that His plans and purposes are executed with perfect wisdom and knowledge.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is traditionally credited with writing the Book of Isaiah. His prophecies often focus on the themes of judgment and redemption.
2.
The Spirit of the LORDRefers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who is involved in creation, revelation, and the empowerment of God's people.
3.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God in the Old Testament, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises.
4.
IsraelThe nation to whom Isaiah prophesied, often called to repentance and reminded of God's sovereignty and care.
5.
Babylonian ExileThe historical context of much of Isaiah's prophecy, where Israel faced judgment and exile but was also promised future restoration.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and WisdomRecognize that God's wisdom is beyond human understanding. We are called to trust in His plans and purposes, even when they are not clear to us.
Humility Before GodApproach God with humility, acknowledging that we cannot counsel or direct Him. Our role is to seek His guidance and align our lives with His will.
Dependence on the Holy SpiritRely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and understanding. As believers, we are invited to seek the Spirit's wisdom in our daily lives.
Trust in God's PlanTrust that God's plans are perfect and for our good, even when we face challenges or uncertainties. His ways are higher than our ways.
Encouragement in TrialsFind encouragement in knowing that God is in control. In times of trial, remember that His wisdom and power are at work for our ultimate benefit.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 40:13?
2.How does Isaiah 40:13 emphasize God's wisdom compared to human understanding?
3.What role does the Holy Spirit play in revealing God's wisdom to us?
4.How can we seek God's guidance in our daily decision-making processes?
5.In what ways does Isaiah 40:13 connect with Romans 11:34 about God's mind?
6.How can acknowledging God's wisdom lead to greater trust in His plans?
7.How does Isaiah 40:13 challenge our understanding of God's omniscience and wisdom?
8.What does Isaiah 40:13 reveal about the limitations of human understanding compared to God's?
9.How does Isaiah 40:13 support the belief in God's sovereignty over creation?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 40?
11.Is the Holy Spirit considered a person?
12.What is the significance of anointing in the Bible?
13.In Job 21:22, how can humans teach God anything if He is described elsewhere as all-knowing and beyond counsel?
14.What does exaltation mean in Mormonism?What Does Isaiah 40:13 Mean
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD“Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD…?” (Isaiah 40:13)
• The question assumes the obvious answer: no one. From the first page of Scripture, the Spirit of God is active and sovereign (Genesis 1:2).
• God’s Spirit is never “steered” by created minds. Job learned this when God asked, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” (Job 38:4).
• The verse sits in a chapter that magnifies God’s transcendence: He measures the waters in His hand (Isaiah 40:12) and calls the stars by name (Isaiah 40:26). Directing such a Spirit is beyond us.
•Romans 11:34 echoes the same line to underscore God’s unsearchable judgments. Paul’s point matches Isaiah’s: divine plans originate within God alone.
Takeaway: Because the Spirit acts of His own perfect wisdom and power, we can rest in His guidance without trying to manipulate or second-guess Him.
or informed Him as His counselor?“…or informed Him as His counselor?” (Isaiah 40:13)
• Counsel presumes deficiency—someone lacks insight and needs advice. God never occupies that position. “Who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct Him?” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
• Even the wisest among humans—Solomon, Daniel, Paul—received wisdom; they never supplied it to God (Daniel 2:20-23;1 Kings 3:12).
• Job confessed, “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand” (Job 42:3). When confronted with God’s grandeur, the only fitting response is humble silence and worship.
• Isaiah’s audience, surrounded by pagan nations who consulted idols and court advisors, hears a clarion reminder: the LORD’s counsel is self-contained. “The counsel of the LORD stands forever” (Psalm 33:11).
Implication: If God needs no counselor, His Word stands as the final authority. We submit to it rather than placing our own reasoning above it.
summaryIsaiah 40:13 invites us to marvel at the utter independence and wisdom of God. No creature can direct His Spirit or improve His counsel. Recognizing this frees us from the futile urge to control, correct, or advise the Almighty. Instead, we bow in trust, confidence, and awe, knowing that the One who needs no counselor graciously guides those who wait on Him.
(13)
Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord?--The term, which had been used in a lower sense in
Isaiah 40:7, is here clothed as with a Divine personality, answering, as it were, to the wisdom of
Proverbs 8:22-30, with which the whole passage has a striking resemblance. Eastern cosmogonies might represent Bel or Ormuzd, as calling inferior deities into counsel (Cheyne). The prophet finds no other counsellor than One who is essentially one with the Eternal.
Verse 13. -
Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord? Mr. Cheyne remarks, that "in Isaiah there is a marked tendency to hypostatize the Spirit;" and the remark is undoubtedly a just one (see
Isaiah 32:15;
Isaiah 34:16;
Isaiah 48:16;
Isaiah 61:1, etc.). In the present place, perhaps, the introduction of "the Spirit of the Lord" arises out of the remembrance of the part in creation which is assigned to the Spirit in
Genesis 1:2. He "moved," or "brooded," upon the face of the waters, and thence began the change, or series of changes, by which order was produced out of confusion. The Spirit of the Lord "directed," or regulated, these changes; but who, Isaiah asks, "directed," or regulated, the Spirit itself? Can it be supposed that he too had a director over him? Isaiah does not seriously doubt on this point, or "leave it an open question." He makes his inquiry by way of a
reductio ad absurdum. Is it not absurd to suppose that he had a director or a counsellor? He does not - here, at any rate - so far "hypostatize the Spirit" as to view him as a Person distinct from the Person of God the Father, working under him, and carrying out his will.
Or being his counsellor hath taught him? "The Lord
by wisdom founded the earth" (
Proverbs 3:19); but he was his own counsellor. He had no adviser external to himself. The wisdom which wrought with him was his own wisdom, an essential part of the Divine essence. The evangelical prophet approaches those mysteries of God's nature which the gospel brought to light, but cannot penetrate them.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Whoמִֽי־(mî-)Interrogative
Strong's 4310:Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffixhas directedתִכֵּ֥ן(ṯik·kên)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8505:To balance, measure out, arrange, equalize, levellingthe Spiritר֖וּחַ(rū·aḥ)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spiritof the LORD,יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelor who has given Himיוֹדִיעֶֽנּוּ׃(yō·w·ḏî·‘en·nū)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045:To knowcounsel?עֲצָת֖וֹ(‘ă·ṣā·ṯōw)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6098:Advice, plan, prudence
Links
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:13 Who has directed the Spirit of Yahweh (Isa Isi Is) 
