11 The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish;
the wisest counselors of Pharaoh give stupid counsel.
How can you say to Pharaoh,
“I am a son of the wise,
a son of ancient kings”?
Where then are your wise men?
Let them tell you
that they might know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt.
The princes of Zoan have become fools,
and the princes of Memphis are deluded;
those who are the cornerstones of her tribes
have made Egypt stagger.
The LORD has mingled within her a spirit of confusion,
and they will make Egypt stagger in all its deeds,
as a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
And there will be nothing for Egypt
that head or tail, palm branch or reed, may do.
In that day the Egyptians will be like women, and tremble with fear before the hand that the LORD of hosts shakes over them. And the land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians. Everyone to whom it is mentioned will fear because of the purpose that the LORD of hosts has purposed against them.
Comment: In just 6 verses I have underlined 10 negative words! It seems to me that these words fall into 3 groups each group with a different emphasis – thinking/ planning, behaviour and spirituality. 1.Foolish/fools/stupid/deluded seem to be in a group not necessarily defining a low IQ, but symbolizing bad choices. Life is made of choices. Right at the beginning the Egyptian leaders are accused of listening to foolish counsellors and being lead astray. From where do you get your advice as to the way to live? The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! 2. Stagger(s) – Has to do with uncertainty of walking and the risk of falling. The example given here is associated with strong drink and drunkenness, but I think applies much more here to the results of bad thinking and planning. The example given is graphic – the result of bad thinking and listening to bad advice is pictured as a drunk fallen over in the street into his own vomit! 3. Related to the spirit of the nation of Egypt (or as it can relate to individuals) three words are used – confusion, fear and terror. Life ends up in a mess if we don’t think clearly and act wisely! Maybe the three, thinking, action and spirituality are all closely tied together, and are tied to the Bible principle mentioned above, namely, ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!
Proverbs 1: 7 – The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prayer: I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord.
As I read it! 