"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah55:8-9).
If this is true, and His ways are infinitely higher than my ways, and His thoughts than mine also, then are the heavens infinite above the earth? "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher..." Or is this where analogy and human understanding are limited?
Because if it's true that the heavens are infinite above the earth, and space has no end, then the analogy explains even more. For the heavens include everything above the earth's surface: from the troposphere we breathe around us to the exosphere. Then beyond the atmosphere, the planets and sun. Then beyond the solar system, the stars. And then the galaxies, and then the infinite universe further still. Likewise, we are able to know and experience intimately the nearness of God just as the air we breathe, while the infinite beyond remains virtually unexplored by comparison.
We've all heard the freshman philosopher who, unlike the scientist, has declared that the unknown beyond the quasars proves the universe inscrutable, while he forgets the ground he walks on. Likewise, the agnostic and the Muslim alike forget that the Transcendent is omnipotently able to be immanent.
"He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
he suspends the earth over nothing.
He wraps up the waters in his clouds,
yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.
He covers the face of the full moon,
spreading his clouds over it.
He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
for a boundary between light and darkness.
The pillars of the heavens quake,
aghast at his rebuke.
By his power he churned up the sea;
by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
By his breath the skies became fair;
his hand pierced the gliding serpent.
And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
how faint the whisper we hear of him!
Who then can understand the thunder of his power?" (Job 26:7-14).
See also, or listen to, "Fringes" by Shane and Shane.
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1 comments:
Hey Phil... I'm trying to catch up on your writing... you write a lot. I'm sad to see that no one comments on your posts. Keep writing anyway. I posted a comment on your Robots and Puppies article, go read it. Also, I'm looking into starting a blog too. I'll keep you posted. (Haha, get it... "posted" and I was talking about a blog!)
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