God, who created heaven and earth, has all authority over what He has made.
Isaiah was an important prophet who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah between about 740 and 681 BC, a time when the nation struggled with idolatry and foreign threats. He declared the LORD’s supremacy and His covenant faithfulness to His people, calling them to trust God rather than worldly alliances. Here, the prophet quotes God’s reminder of His creative authority: “Surely My hand founded the earth, And My right hand spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand together” (v.13). This statement anchors the rest of Isaiah’s prophecy in the sovereignty of the LORD, establishing that the One who guides history is the same One who set the universe into motion.
When God says, “Surely My hand founded the earth” (v.13), the foundation of the earth symbolizes the beginning of all creation. Human kingdoms rise and fall, but God’s creation testifies to His power over everything. To say He “founded” it is to claim ownership and ultimate authorship of the physical world. This echoes other Scriptures that emphasize the LORD as Creator, and looks forward to the New Testament’s affirmation that Jesus was active in creation (John 1:3). By establishing this truth, the verse highlights the foolishness of putting confidence in earthly powers, instead urging God’s people to rely on the One who made them and everything else.
Likewise, the phrase “My right hand spread out the heavens” (v.13) points to a specific act of ordering the cosmos with power and majesty. In ancient cultures, the right hand often symbolized strength and authority. The LORD calls to the heavens and they obey, underscoring the message that all of creation stands ready to respond to Him. In the New Testament, Jesus calms storms with a word (Mark 4:39), demonstrating that creation still answers its Maker’s command. These truths challenged ancient Israel—and challenge us today—to stand in awe of God’s power and trust Him amid life’s uncertainties.
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Isaiah 48:13 meaning
Isaiah was an important prophet who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah between about 740 and 681 BC, a time when the nation struggled with idolatry and foreign threats. He declared the LORD’s supremacy and His covenant faithfulness to His people, calling them to trust God rather than worldly alliances. Here, the prophet quotes God’s reminder of His creative authority: “Surely My hand founded the earth, And My right hand spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand together” (v.13). This statement anchors the rest of Isaiah’s prophecy in the sovereignty of the LORD, establishing that the One who guides history is the same One who set the universe into motion.
When God says, “Surely My hand founded the earth” (v.13), the foundation of the earth symbolizes the beginning of all creation. Human kingdoms rise and fall, but God’s creation testifies to His power over everything. To say He “founded” it is to claim ownership and ultimate authorship of the physical world. This echoes other Scriptures that emphasize the LORD as Creator, and looks forward to the New Testament’s affirmation that Jesus was active in creation (John 1:3). By establishing this truth, the verse highlights the foolishness of putting confidence in earthly powers, instead urging God’s people to rely on the One who made them and everything else.
Likewise, the phrase “My right hand spread out the heavens” (v.13) points to a specific act of ordering the cosmos with power and majesty. In ancient cultures, the right hand often symbolized strength and authority. The LORD calls to the heavens and they obey, underscoring the message that all of creation stands ready to respond to Him. In the New Testament, Jesus calms storms with a word (Mark 4:39), demonstrating that creation still answers its Maker’s command. These truths challenged ancient Israel—and challenge us today—to stand in awe of God’s power and trust Him amid life’s uncertainties.