Isaiah 18-20

Isaiah 19:11, 22 NIV

The officials of Zoan are nothing but fools;
the wise counselors of Pharaoh give senseless advice.
How can you say to Pharaoh,
"I am one of the wise men,
a disciple of the ancient kings"?

The Lord will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the Lord, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them.

Isaiah 20:6 NIV

6 In that day the people who live on this coast will say, 'See what has happened to those we relied on, those we fled to for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?'"

Egypt was known for her greatness, wisdom and power. All these failed her when God chose to bring her down. One day she will be restored. When that happens her greatness will not be hers, but God's. When she is restored her wisdom will not be that of her magicians and wise men. It will be God's wisdom. Her power will be found in the blessing of God, not in her own armies. God brought her down and God will one day life her up.

Isaiah 19:21 NIV

So the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the Lord. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the Lord and keep them.

This brings two thoughts to mind. First, you never know whom God will choose to use. In the case of Egypt God choose to bring down to nothing one of the best and brightest from man's perspective. He promises, however, that once he had reduced her glory to nothing he would then rebuild her for his glory.

Second, brokeness is often a significant part of the process. God can use anyone from the greatest to the least in man's eyes, but they first must be broken before being lifted up for his glory. As believers we tend to have preconceptions about the kinds of people that are open to the gospel. Our preconceptions are often wrong. Those we think would make "good Christians" might never be broken enough to be used of God. Others that we would never expect to respond might actually be in the preparation process for greatness in the Kingdom.

This is a good reminder not to make assumptions about who might be open to the gospel. It is also a great reminder not to become to enamored with our own "greatness." Our greatness is only as great as the God or gods we serve.

By His grace,
Rick Weinert
District Superintendent
EFCA Northern Mtn District

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