Will – Page 109 – Ministry of Grace Church

Author: Will

1 Corinthians 1:28 – The Non-People

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Will

and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

Truth to Learn

God chose the lowly, non-people to be His.

Behind the Words

“Base things” is the translation of the Greek noun agenēs. This word is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and genos, meaning “a nation or a race of people.” Thus, agenēs means “non-people.” In common usage it refers to people who are considered base or ignoble. It is the opposite of someone who is born of noble blood.

The word “despised” is from the neuter form of exoutheneō. This word is made up of ex, meaning “out or out of” (used as an intensifier) and a form of oudeis, meaning “nothing.” Therefore, exoutheneō means “to treat someone or something as if it has absolutely no value at all.”

“Things which are not” is translated from mē onta. Mē is a particle of negation, meaning “not” and onta is a form of eimi which is the verb of being (I am, you are, it is, etc.). Hence, mē onta literally means “things that don’t exist.” It is a Hebraism that Jews us to refer to Gentiles.

Katargeō is the Greek verb translated “bring to nothing.” It is made up of kata, meaning “down,” used as an intensifier and argeō, meaning “to cause to be ineffective or useless.”

Meaning Explained

In verse twenty-seven, the Apostle Paul gave a description of the type of people the world considers important, pointing out that God has called very few of them. Then in yesterday's verse he began a description of the type of people that God intentionally called to Himself. This included the fools of the world and the weak people of the world.

In today’s verse he gives three more descriptions of the type of people that God has called to Himself. The first is “the base things of the world.” These are people who were not born into rich, powerful, aristocratic families. They enter life with nothing and are given little opportunity to improve their lot in life. They are looked down at by the upper class and are considered of little value. In fact, in Paul’s second description, they are “despised,” treated as if they have no value at all.

The third description in this verse of God’s chosen people is “things which are not.” This is an even lower class of people than “the base things of the world.” A classic example of what Paul is referring to is seen in India today. The lowest class in their caste system is referred to as “the untouchables” or Dalits. They are considered less than human. They are not allowed to drink from the same wells, attend the same temples, or wear shoes in the presence of the upper class. They are non-people.

God specifically focused his calling on these people for a purpose. That purpose is to demonstrate to those who think themselves to be something special, that they are really the non-people from God’s perspective.

Application

In the eyes of the world, most Christians are weak, foolish, ignorant non-people. But in God’s eyes we are His special children for whom He sacrificed His Son. One day we shall sit with our Lord as He judges the rich, powerful, and proud people of this world and they will see who is really weak and foolish. And God will receive all the praise and all the glory.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:27 – God’s “Foolish” Choice

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Will

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

Truth to Learn

God purposely choose weak and foolish sinners to be His.

Behind the Words

The words “has chosen” are from the Greek verb eklegō. This word is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and legō, meaning “to select” or “to choose.” Thus, eklegō means “to choose out” or “to select out.” It is expressed in the aorist tense, indicating action that was completed at a point in time in the past. It is also expressed in the middle voice, indicating something that the subject (God) has done to or for Himself.

“Put to shame” is translated from the verb kataischunō, which is made up of kata, meaning “down” (used here as an intensifier) and aischunō meaning “to put to shame.” Kataischunō literally means “to shame down, to disgrace, or completely put to shame.”

Asthenēs is the Greek word translated “weak things.” It is composed of the privative a, meaning “without” and sthenos, which refers to “physical strength.”

Ischuros it the word translated “things which are mighty.” It literally means “strong, mighty, or powerful things.”

Meaning Explained

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul has put together an exquisite rhetorical argument against those who put their faith in the world system. It started back in verse eighteen where he said, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.” He then went on to show how foolish the supposed “wisdom” of the world is compared to God’s wisdom and how weak the “strength” of the world is compared to God’s strength. He further declared that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” In yesterday’s verse, he pointed his finger directly at the Corinthians (and at us) declaring that very few of us who have been called into His family are worldly wise, powerful, or of noble birth.

Now, in this verse and the two that follow, Paul spotlights the true wisdom in God’s plan. Here he says that God intentionally chose people for Himself who are foolish in the eyes of the world and people who are weak in the eyes of the world. Notice that God had purpose in His choosing. For those who don’t accept the doctrine of election, preferring to believe that God’s choice was based on who would eventually believe the gospel, such thinking contradicts what Paul is teaching here. If God's choice was based upon who would believe the good news, then there would have been a more random cross section of humanity chosen. Instead, God purposely focused His selection primarily on those of us who are weak and foolish.

Why would He do such a thing? Paul says that His purpose has always been to demonstrate to the wise and powerful that they are the real fools. One day they will stand before the wise and powerful Judge and their shame will be overwhelming.

Application

These truths should once again drive us to our knees in thankfulness that He chose us weak, foolish, undeserving sinners to be His children. And God gets all the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:26 – Calling the Lowly

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Will

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

Truth to Learn

God calls lowly sinners to His kingdom and to His family.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “you see” is blepō, which means “to look at” or “to see.” The form of this verb is ambiguous. It could be present tense, active voice, indicative mood, meaning “you see.” But it could also be present tense, active voice, imperative mood, meaning “look at!”

“Calling” is from klēsis, which refers to “an invitation.” As we explain below, here it refers to those who respond to the invitation and accept it by faith.

The word translated “mighty” is dunatos, meaning “that which is powerful.”

Eugeneis is the Greek word translated as “noble.” It is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and genos, meaning “a race” or “a family.” Thus, eugeneis literally means “well born” or “born into a good family.”

Meaning Explained

In verse twenty-four, Paul told us that to those of us who are called, the gospel message is “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” Back in verse nine we talked a little more about this calling. It does not refer to everyone who has heard the gospel message; it refers to everyone who has believed the good news. Now he gives us some additional information about those of us who believe.

Remember that Paul has been contrasting the wisdom and power of the world system with the wisdom and power of God. To the world, especially the wisest, the most powerful, and the ruling class, the death of Christ and the gospel message are foolishness. It is likely for this very reason that He did not call many of them. Notice that Paul does not say that none of them are called, rather he says that very few of them are called. Instead, God pours out His grace on the “foolish,” the powerless, and the common people. To the world this seems like foolishness because these people have little or nothing to offer Him, which is precisely Paul’s point. Jesus, in one of His prayers, put it this way:

At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. (Matthew 11:25)

Later, in verse twenty-nine, Paul tells us God’s reasoning: “that no flesh should glory in His presence.” In our fleshly nature we want to take some or all of the credit for our salvation, but all the credit and all the glory belongs to God. Our salvation is not ours because we have done anything; this salvation is ours because God has done everything and has freely given it to us. It was not given to us because we deserve anything. It was given to us because we do not deserve anything except eternal damnation. That’s God’s wisdom!

Application

If you are a born-again Christian, it is not because you have done anything; it is because God has done everything for you. That should drive all of us to our knees with thankful hearts!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:25 – Wise Counsel

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Will

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Truth to Learn

The wisdom of God often seems like foolishness to us.

Behind the Words

We have looked at the Greek word for foolishness (mōros) several times now. It is expressed here as a neuter noun and could be translated as “the foolish thing.”

“Wisdom” (sophos) is another word we have looked at several times. It is interesting that the great philosophical minds of the Greeks, like Aristophanes, Plato, and Aristotle, ridiculed the supposed wisdom of the debaters and rhetoricians of their day, calling their “wisdom” foolishness.

The word translated “weakness” is asthenēs. This word is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” and sthenos, which refers to “physical strength.” Thus, asthenēs literally means “without strength.”

“Stronger” is the comparative form of the Greek noun ischuros, which refers to “strength, might, or power.”

Meaning Explained

Before we go further with today’s verse, let’s talk about what Paul isn’t saying. He isn’t saying that there is any foolishness in God, nor is there any weakness in God. Instead, he is using an idiomatic expression that basically says, “That which men consider the foolishness of God is wiser than the supposed wisdom of men, and that which men consider the weakness of God is stronger that the supposed strength of men.”

Paul may, in fact, be making a reference to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon (see 2 Chronicles chapter ten). After his father’s death, the people asked Rehoboam to lighten the load which Solomon had placed on them. His father’s counselors advised him to do just that, but his own counselors advised him to make their load even heavier. Refusing the wisdom of Solomon’s counselors, Rehoboam listened to his own counselors and rejected the pleas of the people. In one of the Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Scriptures (referred to as a Targum), the writer ascribed the following proclamation to Rehoboam: “My weakness is stronger than the strength of my father.” However, the result of his counselors’ wisdom was that the ten northern tribes of Israel rejected Rehoboam as king and formed their own kingdom, making Jeroboam their king instead.

A couple of verses back, Paul made it clear that he is talking about the crucifixion of Christ. This is the “foolish thing” that he refers to in today’s verse. In the eyes of those possessing worldly wisdom, that was a foolish thing to do. After all, how could anyone believe in a Savior who is so “weak” that He couldn’t even save Himself from being crucified? However, this “foolishness” is exactly what was needed to procure the salvation of mankind and this “weakness” was strong enough to defeat both Satan and death.

Application

Many of us Christians make decisions in life based on our own wisdom without ever consulting with our Wise Counselor. Then we wonder why things don’t turn out the way we expected them to. Prayer may seem to be a foolish thing to do, but in reality it’s the wisest thing we could possibly do. Let’s seek our Counselor’s advice in everything. That’s wisdom!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:24 – Wisdom and Power

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Will

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Truth to Learn

Preach the “foolish message” and watch God’s power at work.

Behind the Words

The word “called” is translated from the plural form of klētos, a noun which literally means “the called ones.” It refers to those who have been invited to come or to go somewhere.

“Power” is from the Greek word dunamis, from which we get our English word dynamite. It refers to “the authority or power to do something.” It has a different meaning than ischus, which stresses the ability, whereas dunamis emphasizes the accomplishment. So, we can see dunamis as “power in action” or “demonstrated power,” as opposed to “potential power.”

Meaning Explained

In this first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Christians in the church in Corinth, he is primarily addressing the divisions that had sprung-up in the church. Part of the reason that these divisions had occurred is because the members of the church were more connected to the world system than they were to God.

Even by the secular standards of the day, Corinth was considered one of the most morally corrupt cities of its time. In fact, it was so well known for its wickedness, that its name became synonymous with moral depravity, wickedness, and drunkenness. Unfortunately, the Christians in Corinth had great difficulty in separating themselves from all the worldly muck that surrounded them. This worldliness even influenced the type of people that the Corinthian Christians looked up to. As a result, Paul has been instructing them (and us) how foolish the wisdom of this world is compared to God’s wisdom. In the previous two verses Paul pointed out that the Greeks and Jews alike sought after power and influence for themselves, while being unable to understand the true wisdom and power of the gospel message.

But, he now goes on to say, to those of us who have been called out of the world and into the body of Christ, the simplicity of the good news demonstrates both God’s power at work and the greatness of His wisdom. Paul was not afraid to stand up to the greatest minds of the day and present the simple gospel message as he had already done in Athens (see Acts 17:18-33). Neither was Paul ashamed of the gospel message as he told the believers in Rome:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

According to what Paul is teaching in today’s verse, the wisdom and power of the gospel is not understood except by those who have been called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ as he said back in verse nine.

Application

Unless you have been given the gift of evangelism, you are probably like me and don’t find it easy to be a witness of God’s saving grace to those around you; however, that doesn’t excuse us from sharing the message. It’s not up to us to save people; only God can do that. But it is up to us to share this simple wisdom even to those who think it is foolishness. It’s up to God to then use the good news and to make those who are called understand His wisdom and power.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:23 – A Foolish Trap

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Will

but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

Truth to Learn

The world does not understand the simple gospel message.

Behind the Words

“Preach” is translated from the verb kērussō, which means “to proclaim, to herald, or to preach.” It is expressed in the present tense, active voice, and indicative mood. This portrays present ongoing action.

The word “crucified” is from stauroō, which means “to be nailed to a pole or a cross.” It is probably the most painful and certainly the most degrading form of execution performed by the Romans.

Skandalon (from which we get our English word “scandal”) is the word translated “stumbling block.” It literally refers to the trigger of a trap on which the bait is laid. In general usage, it indicates an enticement to self-destructive action.

“Foolishness,” as we have seen previously, is from moros, from which we get our English word moron. It denotes foolishness or absurdity.

Paul uses a grammatical device in this verse to compare the foolishness of “religious” Jews and “wise” Greeks with Christians. He does so with the two Greek particles men and de. Men roughly means “indeed” and de means “and” or “but.” In English, we might say, “on the one hand … but on the other hand …”

Meaning Explained

Continuing on with his comparison of the foolishness of worldly wisdom and the wisdom of the “foolish” gospel, Paul now states clearly what the Greeks and the Jews think of the Gospel message. The Jews have their minds so blinded regarding the truth of their Messiah that the “good news” becomes a snare, a trap for them. They believed that their Messiah was coming as a conquering king (which He will someday), not as a meek and mild-mannered man who was executed on a cross. They are so blinded by their own belief regarding their Messiah that they reject Him completely. This reference to a “stumbling block” may be referring to Psalms 11, which Jesus also quoted in Matthew 21:42,

The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalms 118:22-23)

The Greeks, on the other hand, had no such beliefs about the Messiah. In fact, most of the Roman Empire believed that Caesar was the “son of god” and their conquering hero. To them, the idea of Jesus being the Son of God was absurd. After all, this supposed Messiah did not fight any battles and He certainly didn’t conquer anyone. Likewise, the Greeks, who revered men of education and accomplishment, saw this executed Jewish criminal as a cast-off of society, certainly not worthy of any respect, let alone worship.

Application

Neither religious activity nor great mental accomplishment can bring you closer to God. They can’t even provide lasting personal satisfaction. Only faith in the good news of God’s Son and His work on the cross can produce these things.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:22 – Signs and Wisdom

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Will

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;

Truth to Learn

God is not found in miraculous signs or worldly wisdom.

Behind the Words

The word translated “since” is epeidē, which is made up of epei, meaning “as” or “because” and dē, a particle of affirmation or emphasis meaning “indeed.” Therefore, we could translate epeidē as “as indeed” or “whereas.”

“Request” is from aiteō, meaning “to ask, to request, or to beg.” It is a word that is used of a person of inferior rank requesting something from a person of superior rank.

Sēmion is the Greek word translated “sign.” It refers to “a mark, a token, or a miracle with a spiritual significance.”

“Seek” is translated from dzēteō, which means “to look for” or “to seek for.” As used here, it carries the idea of an earnest and eager attempt to find something.

Meaning Explained

In order to drive home his point, in the past few verses Paul has been making a play on words between “wisdom” and “foolishness.” He has contrasted the foolishness of worldly intellect and attainment of the revered wise men of Greek culture (the philosophers) and the revered scholars of the Jewish culture (the scribes) with the true wisdom of God. These “wise” men of the world and of religion believe in their own wisdom and think that faith in God is foolishness. In reality, it is the other way around; their wisdom is foolishness and God’s foolishness is great wisdom.

He now gets even more specific regarding those who are religiously wise and those who are worldly wise. As a representative of the religiously wise, he talks here about “the Jews.” From the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel), the Israelites have been followers of the One True God; however, over the years they perverted true worship by including man-made rules and ordinances. By the time of Christ there were so many rules that they had to have men who had studied the laws all their life interpret the law for them. These were the intellectual giants of Jewish culture. In fact, it became so difficult for the average Jew to understand their own religion that they didn’t even recognize their own Messiah when he came. And, when He did come, they demanded miraculous signs from Him to prove that He was the Messiah. By the middle of the first century, the Jews were still demanding signs instead of simply believing.

The Greeks, however, believed that wisdom was the ultimate accomplishment of man. They gave great reverence and honor to the philosophers of their time. These men studied science, mathematics, literature, and culture. Their ultimate quest was to obtain wisdom, to know the meaning and purpose of life.

Today, man seeks after riches and power. Some do so through religion while most do so through education and politics. Many “religious” leaders today employ miraculous signs as an indication of their spirituality. The “wise” men of our time use their power and position to get what they want.

Application

Things haven’t changed very much in the past two thousand years. Instead of seeking God through faith, people seek after riches and power as their God, trying to prove to themselves that they don’t need God or His “foolish” system of faith.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:21 – Want to Please God?

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Will

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Truth to Learn

Belief in the “foolish” gospel message pleases God.

Behind the Words

“Since” is translated from the Greek word epeidē, which means “because indeed.”

The word “in” is translated from the preposition en, indicating a position within someone or something. It is similar to the preposition eis, indicating movement from outside to inside. En, however, has no implication of movement, but of position. Hence, Paul is not saying that these things are the result of God’s wisdom, but that they are contained within His wisdom.

The words “did … know” are from the verb ginōskō, which refers to gaining or having knowledge about something. It is expressed in the aorist tense, indicating past completed action. Thus, it refers to having attained knowledge or understanding about something in the past.

“Pleased” is translated from eudokeō. This word is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and dokeō, meaning “to think.” Therefore, eudokeō means “to think good thoughts about something” or “to be pleased with something.”

Meaning Explained

Paul continues his discussion of wisdom and foolishness. In the previous verse he called attention to three groups of people. He identified the “wise,” that is, the philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, whom the Greeks held in high esteem for their brilliance and understanding of the world around them. He also identified the “scribes,” the highly regarded Jewish teachers of the Old Testament. Finally, he identified the “disputers,” those who were masters at discussing and debating any subject.

These esteemed men had acquired what was believed to be great wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. That which they had gained for themselves produced religious beliefs about the nature of life, God, and man’s destiny. However, none of this brilliance could bring them up to God’s position, nor could it defend them in the presence of the Righteous Judge of all things. From God’s perspective, all of their wisdom, knowledge, and understanding is foolishness, for it cannot save them. These highly revered men also considered the simple gospel message of salvation through faith to be foolishness.

On the other hand, our God did not have to acquire his wisdom through dedicated study and discussion. It is an integral part of who He is. In His infinite wisdom, God determined that salvation should come through faith, that through the “good news” all men are sinners and Jesus, the Christ, paid the penalty for our sins with His blood shed on the cross.

God does not derive pleasure from anyone acquiring great worldly wisdom about Him. That would bring pleasure to man and take the praise and glory away from Him. He derives pleasure from simple faith in the “foolish” gospel message, which gives God all the praise and glory.

Application

Do you want to please God? If so, then give Him all the credit for our salvation by believing the “foolish” gospel message.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:20 – God’s Foolishness?

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Will

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Truth to Learn

This world’s wisdom is foolishness compared to God’s truth.

Behind the Words

The word “wise” is sophos, which we saw in yesterday’s verse, meaning “wisdom, skill, tact, or expertise in an art form.” It is probably a reference to the Greek philosophers of Paul’s time (those who loved wisdom).

“Scribe” is translated from grammateus, which is based on graphō, which we also saw in yesterday’s verse. It is a reference to the Jewish scribes who were considered the most learned of Jewish scholars and interpreters of the law of Moses.

The word “disputer” is from the Greek noun sudzētētēs. This word is made up of sun, meaning “together” or “with” and dzēteō, meaning “to seek” or “to “inquire.” Thus, sudzētētēs refers to those who inquires of one another or those who debate with one another.

Morainō is the Greek word translated “made foolish.” It is the word from which we get our English word “moron.”

“World” is from kosmos, which refers to “order” or “arrangement.” It is what we get our word “cosmetic” from. It is a reference to the world system as opposed to God’s system.

Meaning Explained

In comparing the message of the gospel to the message of the world system, Paul is making an allusion to the well-known invasion and subsequent defeat of Sennacherib, king of Assyria (see Isaiah chapters 29 through 37). When Sennacherib’s army advanced toward Jerusalem, the Israelites turned to Egypt for help, but the Egyptians were not able to protect Jerusalem. Instead, when the Assyrian army had surrounded Jerusalem, God stepped in and miraculously destroyed Sennacherib’s army and they retreated.

It was the worldly wisdom of the leaders of Israel that led them to seek the help of the Egyptians. As a result of seeking the wisdom of the world, the Israelites became fools and were almost destroyed. Were it not for the “foolishness” of seeking God’s help, they would have perished.

The gospel message is another example of the “foolishness” of us believers who trust in the Bible. We are looked on by the world around us as being fools because we believe God’s message. And yet – the wise people of our time, the learned people of our time, the skilled debaters of our time are the real fools because they reject the simple, foolish message of the cross. Paul is most likely making a reference to Isaiah 29:14:

Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.

Education and worldly wisdom are no match for the truth in God’s Word, the Bible. To follow the wisdom of the world is foolishness, but to follow God is true wisdom.

Application

As tempting as it may be, following the wisdom of the world is foolishness and will only bring destruction. However, following the “foolish” gospel message will bring salvation and eternal life. Which are you following?

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:19 – Worldly Wisdom?

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Will

For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

Truth to Learn

The wisdom of the world is foolishness to God.

Behind the Words

“Written” is from the Greek word graphō, which literally means “to grave,” that is, to carve. It is the most ancient form of writing. In first century common usage, it refers to any kind of writing. It is written here in the perfect tense, so it means “it was written in the past and, therefore, it is written (as a confirmed statement of fact).”

Apollumi, is the word translated “destroy.” It is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” used as an intensifier, and ollumi, meaning “to destroy.” Thus, apollumi means “to completely destroy. Today, we might say annihilate.

Both “wisdom” and “wise” are translated from a form of sophos, which refers to “wisdom, skill, tact, or expertise in an art form.”

The words “bring to nothing” are from atheteō, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” and thetos, which refers to something that has been put in its place. Therefore, athetheō means “to cause something to be without a place.” In other words, it means “to get rid of” or “to abolish.”

Both “understanding” and “prudent” are from forms of the Greek word suniēmi, which refers to “perception, understanding, or intelligence.” It generally refers to the ability to understand concepts and see relationships between them.

Meaning Explained

Paul is making his comments with regard to the gospel message. In the previous verse he said that the good news of Salvation in Jesus Christ is laughable, even absurd, to those who reject it, those who are on death’s road because of such rejection. However, to those of us who believe the salvation truth, it is the life-giving power of God. To further emphasize his point, Paul quotes from the Prophet Isaiah, who said:

This message was delivered to the Israelites because they thought they could rely on the strength of the Egyptians to protect them from a coming invasion by the Assyrians. In spite of all the miracles that God had done to save them and protect them, the Israelites rejected God and relied on their own wisdom and understanding. After all, at that time the Egyptians were the richest, most powerful nation in the world. It seemed like the wisest, most prudent thing to do, to make an alliance with Egypt for their own protection.

One thing we often miss when we read about the Israelites and their Egyptian neighbors: Egypt is a type (a symbolic picture) of the world system that we live in today. The world system will not save you. Only God can do that.

Application

How many Christians today are so caught up in the world around them that they come to depend on it instead of God? Are you one of them? We have to live in the world, but we don’t have to follow it. Where is your heart?

In God's service, for His glory,