Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"The princes of Zoan"
Text: Isaiah 19:11
THE COUNSELORS OF THE PHARAOH
The Pharaoh did not rule by himself. He gathered together whom he trusted would help him rule Egypt well and make it a strong kingdom.
“Surely the princes of Zoan are fools;
Pharaoh’s wise counsellors give foolish counsel.
How do you say to Pharaoh, ‘I am the son of the wise,
The son of ancient kings?’
Where are they?
Where are your wise men?
Let them tell you now,
And let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt.
The princes of Zoan have become fools;
The princes of Noph are deceived;
They have also deluded Egypt,
Those who are the mainstay of its tribes.”
Isaiah 19:11-13
1. Two famous cities.
a) Zoan was a major city in Lower Egypt.
b) Noph was the capital in Lower Egypt.
c) Both cities were supposed to have produced wise counsellors.
2. How they promoted themselves.
a) The counsellors boast that they were:
i) Sons of the wise.
ii) Sons of ancient kings.
b) They call themselves:
i) Princes of Zoan.
ii) Princes of Noph.
c) But does wisdom really pass from one generation to another so easily?
d) Can wisdom really be inherited?
3. A challenge given to the Counsellors.
a) Do they know what the LORD had purposed against Egypt?
b) None of the so-called princes would have any idea of God’s will concerning Egypt.
4. Evaluation of the advice given to the Pharaoh by his counsellors.
a) They gave “foolish counsel”.
b) The counsellors.
i) They were themselves deceived.
ii) They were quite foolish.
iii) They had deluded Egypt.
c) They gave wrong advice in their war with the Assyrians.
i) The Assyrians mauled Egypt.
ii) The very foundations of the country were destroyed.