The Foolishness and Weakness of God

August 2020

The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:25, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” Bill MacDonald comments, “Actually there is neither foolishness nor weakness with God. But the apostle is saying in verse 25 that what seems to be foolishness on God’s part, in the eyes of men, is wiser than men at their very best. Also, what seems to be weakness on God’s part, in the eyes of men, turns out to be stronger than anything man can produce.” It is no wonder that God’s omnipotence and omniscience supersede all the greatest efforts and achievements of man.

Man is his pride and self-deception believe he is wiser and stronger than God. Paul demonstrates that God is greater than man’s greatest works, thoughts, achievements, inventions, weapons, or anything else. After all, our God created all things and holds all things together. He made man and gave him all the wisdom, strength, creativity, knowledge, and ability.

Anything man does against God or apart from God is doomed to utter failure. Time and time again in the Scriptures and throughout history, God has had the final word, and produced the greatest victories for His people who trust in Him. There have been the likes of Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Haman, Nebuchadnezzar, and Herod who foolishly and arrogantly boasted against God and attempted to destroy His people. They all failed miserably and God destroyed them all.

As believers, we can rejoice in God’s wisdom and strength, trusting in Him no matter what man does or does not do. No matter how impossible things seem to be for us in this world, nothing is impossible with God. He still works wonders and miracles in our lives. Blaise Pascal once said, “The greatest single distinguishing feature of the omnipotence of God is that our imagination gets lost when thinking about it.” The hymn writer said, “My Father is omnipotent, and this you can’t deny; A God of might and miracles – ‘Tis written in the sky.” Let us rejoice in God’s wisdom and power which are awesome and know He can and will help us through the darkest nights and strongest storms.