Isaiah 19:11-18: a reflection

11The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish. The counsel of the wisest counselors of Pharaoh has become stupid. How do you say to Pharaoh, “I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings”? 12Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you now; and let them know what the LORD of Armies has purposed concerning Egypt. 13The princes of Zoan have become fools. The princes of Memphis are deceived. They have caused Egypt to go astray, those who are the cornerstone of her tribes. 14The LORD has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the middle of her; and they have caused Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his vomit. 15Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which head or tail, palm branch or rush, may do. 16In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble and fear because of the shaking of the LORD of Armies’s hand, which he shakes over them. 17The land of Judah will become a terror to Egypt. Everyone to whom mention is made of it will be afraid, because of the plans of the LORD of Armies, which he determines against it. 18In that day, there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of Armies. One will be called “The city of destruction.”

Isaiah pronounces a striking word about the celebrated wise men of Egypt, whose wisdom was famous throughout the ancient world: The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish. The counsel of the wisest counselors of Pharaoh has become stupid. These men prided themselves on their wisdom, sons of the wise and of ancient kings; yet their wisdom failed them, for they could not discern what the LORD had purposed. However celebrated their wisdom, it was made foolish when it left God out of account; they could not read what God was doing, and so their vaunted wisdom came to nothing.

Notice how the celebrated wisdom of Egypt failed. These were famous wise men, counselors of Pharaoh, proud of their learning and lineage; yet their wisdom is called foolish, because it could not discern God's purposes. They could analyze and advise by every human measure, but they could not read what the LORD had purposed concerning them, and so their wisdom led them astray. Human wisdom, however celebrated, is made foolish when it leaves God out of account; it cannot see what God is doing, and so it fails at the very point that matters most. The wisdom that does not reckon with God is exposed as folly.

That is worth taking to heart, for even celebrated human wisdom fails when it leaves God out of account. We can be impressed by human wisdom, cleverness, expertise, and can trust it to guide us, as Egypt trusted its famous counselors; but wisdom that leaves God out of account is made foolish, unable to discern what he is doing. The wisest human counsel is not enough if it does not reckon with God. Do not trust in human wisdom alone, however celebrated, if it leaves God out of account; it is made foolish, unable to discern his purposes. Seek wisdom that reckons with God, not trusting celebrated human cleverness that leaves him out of account, as Egypt's famous counselors were made foolish and could not discern the LORD's purposes; for human wisdom, however celebrated, fails when it does not reckon with God, and true wisdom begins by taking him into account.

Lord, Isaiah pronounces a striking word about the celebrated wise men of Egypt, whose wisdom was famous throughout the ancient world: the princes of Zoan are utterly foolish; the counsel of the wisest counselors of Pharaoh has become stupid. These men prided themselves on their wisdom; yet their wisdom failed them, for they could not discern what you had purposed. However celebrated their wisdom, it was made foolish when it left you out of account. Show me how the celebrated wisdom of Egypt failed. These were famous wise men, counselors of Pharaoh, proud of their learning and lineage; yet their wisdom is called foolish, because it could not discern your purposes. They could analyze and advise by every human measure, but they could not read what you had purposed, and so their wisdom led them astray. Human wisdom, however celebrated, is made foolish when it leaves you out of account. The wisdom that does not reckon with you is exposed as folly. Take that to my heart, for even celebrated human wisdom fails when it leaves you out of account. I can be impressed by human wisdom, cleverness, expertise, and can trust it to guide me, as Egypt trusted its famous counselors; but wisdom that leaves you out of account is made foolish. The wisest human counsel is not enough if it does not reckon with you. Keep me from trusting in human wisdom alone, however celebrated, if it leaves you out of account; help me seek wisdom that reckons with you, Lord, not trusting celebrated human cleverness that leaves you out, as Egypt's famous counselors were made foolish and could not discern your purposes.