What does "Lebanon is not sufficient" reveal about God's majesty and power? Isaiah 40:16 – The Verse “Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering.” Lebanon in Scripture – A Picture of Overflowing Resources • Towering cedars renowned for strength and beauty (1 Kings 5:6; Psalm 92:12) • Vast forests supplying timber for palaces and temples (2 Chronicles 2:8–9) • Teeming wildlife—“the mountains of Lebanon” filled with game (Songs 4:8) To ancient readers, “Lebanon” summed up the richest natural storehouse they could imagine. Even Lebanon Falls Short—Why That Matters • All its trees burned on one altar could not satisfy God’s greatness. • Every animal roaming its slopes offered at once would still be inadequate. • Creation’s finest, collected in one place, remains a finite bundle before the Infinite. What the Phrase Reveals about God’s Majesty and Power • Unlimited Greatness – His worth exceeds earth’s total fuel and fauna combined (Psalm 145:3). • Self-Sufficiency – He needs nothing outside Himself (Psalm 50:10-12; Acts 17:24-25). • Incomparable Glory – No earthly abundance can rise to His level (Deuteronomy 33:26; Psalm 89:6-8). • Transcendent Holiness – Even the best sacrifices cannot bridge the gap; only His own provision—ultimately Christ—can (Isaiah 53:10; Hebrews 10:4-10). • Cosmic Reign – Forests, mountains, and animals are His handiwork; their collective value merely hints at their Maker’s power (Isaiah 40:12; Revelation 4:11). Other Passages Echoing the Same Truth • Psalm 96:4-6 – “Great is the LORD… splendor and majesty are before Him.” • Job 37:22-24 – “The Almighty—we cannot find Him; He is exalted in power.” • Romans 11:33-36 – “Oh, the depth of the riches… from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” Living in Light of His Incomparable Greatness • Approach worship with awe, not routine; no offering is “enough,” yet He welcomes our wholehearted devotion (Psalm 95:6-7). • Rest in His self-sufficiency; the God who needs nothing chooses to care for His people (Matthew 6:25-33). • Proclaim His supremacy; the world’s finest treasures are but signposts pointing to Him (1 Peter 2:9). |
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