What other scriptures warn against trusting in human strength over God's power? Isaiah 36:6—The broken reed of Egypt “Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.” Why leaning on people fails • Human power is a “splintered reed”—impressive until you put weight on it. • Depending on it not only disappoints; it wounds. Other Scriptures sounding the same alarm • Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” • Jeremiah 17:5-6 “Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man, who makes flesh his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a shrub in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes…’” • Isaiah 31:1 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek the LORD.” • Psalm 146:3-4 “Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish.” • Hosea 10:13 “…Because you have trusted in your own way and in your many warriors.” • Proverbs 21:31 “A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.” • Psalm 118:8-9 “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” Historical snapshot: Hezekiah shows the contrast 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid… for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” • Assyria’s numbers terrified Judah, yet God’s unseen strength decided the outcome (2 Kings 19:35). Wisdom literature joins the chorus • Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Prophetic reminder of the true source of power • Zechariah 4:6 “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of Hosts.” New-Testament echoes • 1 Corinthians 1:25 “The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” • 2 Corinthians 1:9 “…that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.” The better way—fruit of trusting God • Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the waters… its leaves are always green; it does not worry in a year of drought.” • Isaiah 30:15 “In repentance and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.” Takeaway Scripture consistently steers us away from the illusion of human strength and toward the sufficiency of God’s power. Each reference above underscores the same timeless call: lean on Him, and the “splintered reed” of mere human help loses its allure. |
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