Isaiah Warning Against Worldly Counsel
The sermon warns against seeking worldly counsel and encourages believers to seek God's counsel through His word and Spirit.
Bob Hoekstra preaches about the importance of seeking counsel from the Lord and not relying on worldly wisdom, emphasizing that those who live by grace depend on God's counsel. He warns against rebelliously seeking counsel elsewhere, highlighting the wonderful and excellent counsel that comes from the Lord, as seen in the title 'Wonderful Counselor' given to Jesus. Turning to worldly counsel is described as rebellion against God, as God desires to guide His people with His wisdom and provision.
Text
"Woe to the rebellious children," says the LORD, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin. Who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice." (Isaiah 30:1-2)
Those who want to live by grace (living by God working in and through their lives) characteristically depend upon the counsel of the Lord. Correspondingly, they have a burden to warn against worldly counsel, which undermines, or substitutes itself for, God's counsel. " 'Woe to the rebellious children,' says the LORD, 'Who take counsel, but not of Me'."
Everyone needs counsel consistently. We all need to find valid guidance and direction through the opportunities and challenges of life. The Lord is to be our constant resource for such counsel. "This also comes from the LORD of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance" (Isaiah 28:29). The counsel of the Lord is wonderful; it is excellent! in fact, when Messiah would come (Jesus, the Christ), one of His descriptive title names would be Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). This wonderful counsel of God comes to us through the word of God. "Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors" (Psalm 119:24).
Consequently, those who turn elsewhere for counsel are rebelling (at least, inadvertently) against the Lord. " 'Woe to the rebellious children,' says the LORD, 'Who take counsel, but not of Me'." Our God of grace wants to counsel us down His path. He wants to teach us to live by His wisdom and His provision. When we are formulating our plans, He wants us to allow His Spirit to direct us through His word: "who devise plans, but not of My Spirit." The only other option is to lean on the counsel of the world: "Who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice." God strongly warned His children of the vanity of seeking the worldly wisdom of Egypt. "You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from these things that shall come upon you" (Isaiah 47:13).
The church world today frequently turns to the contemporary speculations of man. The wisdom of man is a vain help. We would do well to consider Isaiah's clear warning. "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help . . . who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!" (Isaiah 31:1).
Lord Jesus, my Wonderful Counselor, forgive me for the many times that I have turned to worldly counsel. I see that such a choice interferes with your work of grace in my life. Please remind me day by day to seek all of the counsel I need through the Holy Spirit unfolding the wisdom of Your word, Amen.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Problem of Worldly Counsel
- A. Taking counsel but not of God
- B. Substituting worldly wisdom for God's wisdom
- II. The Importance of God's Counsel
- A. God's counsel is wonderful and excellent
- B. God's counsel comes through His word
- III. The Consequences of Rejecting God's Counsel
- A. Rebellion against God
- B. Turning to vain and worldly help
- IV. The Call to Seek God's Counsel
- A. Seeking God's guidance through His Spirit
- B. Turning away from worldly wisdom
Key Quotes
“''Woe to the rebellious children,'' says the LORD, ''Who take counsel, but not of Me''.” — Bob Hoekstra
“This also comes from the LORD of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance” — Bob Hoekstra
“Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors” — Bob Hoekstra
Application Points
- We should seek God's counsel through His word and by allowing His Spirit to guide us.
- Turning to worldly wisdom can lead to rebellion against God and undermine His work of grace in our lives.
- God's counsel is wonderful and excellent, and we should prioritize seeking it in our lives.