What New Testament passages echo the message of Job 5:13? Job 5:13—The Ancient Principle Stated “He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the cunning are swept away.” (Job 5:13) Direct New Testament Quotation • 1 Corinthians 3:19 — “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness.’” – Paul lifts Job 5:13 verbatim to prove that worldly brilliance collapses before God’s superior wisdom. Paul’s Broader Echoes • 1 Corinthians 1:19–20 — “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise… Where is the wise man? … Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” • 1 Corinthians 1:27 — “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.” • Romans 1:22 — “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” – In each case Paul shows the same pattern: self-styled wisdom ends in self-inflicted ruin. Gospel Illustrations of the Same Theme • Matthew 11:25 — Jesus rejoices that the Father has “hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.” • Luke 1:51 — Mary declares that God “has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” • Luke 14:11 — “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – The proud, clever planners consistently find their schemes reversed by God. James and Peter on Pride versus Humility • James 4:6 — “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” • 1 Peter 5:5 — “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – The apostles repeat the Job principle: God actively frustrates prideful cunning. Why the Principle Still Matters • God’s sovereignty: He never relinquishes control to human intellect. • God’s justice: Every arrogant plan eventually backfires. • Our posture: Humility and reliance on divine wisdom are the safe paths. Key Take-Away Verses to Memorize Each one carries the unmistakable echo of Job 5:13: the Sovereign Lord turns man’s craftiness into its own undoing and lifts up the humble who trust in Him. |
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