Isaiah portrays a God who operates on a vastly different plane than human beings. His ways are described as "past finding out" (Isaiah 40:28), and his thoughts "higher than our thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). This divine transcendence suggests that judging God by the standards of human reasoning, including common sense, is ultimately futile.
One of the most striking examples of this is God's penchant for unexpected and seemingly illogical choices. In Isaiah 45, he declares Cyrus the Great, a pagan king, as his instrument to liberate the Israelites from Babylon. This act, seemingly incongruous with God's covenant with the chosen people, defies human understanding. Yet, through this seemingly illogical act, God demonstrates his ultimate sovereignty and his ability to work through seemingly unlikely agents to fulfill his purposes.
Furthermore, Isaiah challenges our common-sense understanding of justice and punishment. God's pronouncements of judgment, often swift and severe, may appear harsh to our sensibilities. Yet, the book emphasizes God's ultimate concern for righteousness and his role as the ultimate judge. His actions, while seemingly harsh from a human perspective, serve a larger purpose of maintaining cosmic order and upholding justice.
The book also delves into the realm of creation, revealing a God who delights in the diversity and complexity of his handiwork. The vastness of the universe, the intricate detail of the natural world, and the unique tapestry of human cultures all point to a divine mind far exceeding the confines of human common sense. To comprehend the full scope of God's creative power and purpose requires a leap of faith that transcends our earthly logic.
However, it is important to note that Isaiah does not entirely dismiss human reasoning. The book repeatedly calls for discernment, urging the people to "come now, let us reason together" (Isaiah 1:18). This suggests that while human logic cannot fully grasp the divine mind, it can still serve as a valuable tool for navigating the complexities of life and discerning God's will.
Ultimately, the Book of Isaiah teaches us that God's thinking transcends the limitations of human common sense. While this may seem unsettling to our earthly minds, it also offers a profound sense of awe and wonder. By recognizing the vastness of the divine, we are freed from the constraints of our own limited perspective and invited to embrace the mystery and grandeur of God's ultimate wisdom.
In conclusion, the question of whether God has common sense is not one to be answered definitively. Instead, it serves as a gateway to a deeper understanding of the divine-human relationship. Through the lens of Isaiah, we glimpse a God who operates on a different plane, one where logic and reason give way to mystery and faith. While this may challenge our earthly understanding, it ultimately opens us to a more profound and awe-inspiring encounter with the divine.
