Introduction. That “God chose foolish things to shame the wise” answers a contentious question dividing those who call themselves Jesus’ disciples. When a “foolish thing” God clearly chose becomes a point of mockery or contention in the world, some believe it should be changed to keep the church growing. Others affirm that since the problem came from the world, Scripture is still flawless and cannot be changed.
God selected things He knew the world would see as foolish to test the faith and resolve of believers. Those who trust Him will accept the limitations He has given. But the proud will change what this world scoffs and scorns. By this choice they will be identified. Those expecting God to be pleased and praise them for the good results of their changes will be greatly disappointed. God has warned that the reason He did this is “that no flesh should boast in His presence.” This is a prophecy that will not fail! No one standing in His presence will be praised or allowed to boast. God never has and never will need help from fallen man.
No one has ever counseled God! No one has first given to Him. Those who seek to “fix” a foolish thing God placed in Scripture are not counseling God. They are boasting in what should and will make them ashamed. This motivation arises from the pride of life, not a love for God. With God’s thoughts higher than the heavens above our own, what could we add or change? The things that appear to be foolish are a test, just like the one God gave to Abraham. God put these foolish things into Scripture to see what we will do with them. If we are wise, we will just do what God commanded whether they seem foolish to us or not.
But it doesn’t stop with foolish things! God also selected weak things of this world to shame the mighty, base (worthless) things of this world, despised things and even things that do not exist in this age.
God selected things He knew the world would see as foolish to test the faith and resolve of believers. Those who trust Him will accept the limitations He has given. But the proud will change what this world scoffs and scorns. By this choice they will be identified. Those expecting God to be pleased and praise them for the good results of their changes will be greatly disappointed. God has warned that the reason He did this is “that no flesh should boast in His presence.” This is a prophecy that will not fail! No one standing in His presence will be praised or allowed to boast. God never has and never will need help from fallen man.
- How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him? (Rom. 11:33-36).
No one has ever counseled God! No one has first given to Him. Those who seek to “fix” a foolish thing God placed in Scripture are not counseling God. They are boasting in what should and will make them ashamed. This motivation arises from the pride of life, not a love for God. With God’s thoughts higher than the heavens above our own, what could we add or change? The things that appear to be foolish are a test, just like the one God gave to Abraham. God put these foolish things into Scripture to see what we will do with them. If we are wise, we will just do what God commanded whether they seem foolish to us or not.
But it doesn’t stop with foolish things! God also selected weak things of this world to shame the mighty, base (worthless) things of this world, despised things and even things that do not exist in this age.
- 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; 28 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, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.