God Can Be a God of Confusion

Today’s Bible reading* says some things that don’t fit well with our normal theology: God can be a God of confusion.

Normally, we think of God as a God of order. Paul tells us, “… God is not a God of disorder but of peace. … (1 Corinthians 14:33 CSB) But look at the context of 1 Corinthians 14. Paul is discussing the need for orderliness when the church meets together.

But in today’s reading, we’re told,

I will provoke Egyptians against Egyptians; each will fight against his brother and each against his friend, city against city, kingdom against kingdom. Egypt’s spirit will be disturbed within it, and I will frustrate its plans. Then they will inquire of worthless idols, ghosts, mediums, and spiritists.
Isaiah 19:2–3 (CSB)

God brings about confusion for a purpose: “The LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing. Then they will turn to the LORD, and he will be receptive to their prayers and heal them.” (Isaiah 19:22 CSB)

Application

There is any number of things that God does to accomplish His purposes, especially concerning His own people, all for the purpose of bringing glory to Himself.

As I said two days ago, God is sovereign. That means that He gets to call the shots. He never owes us an explanation for the things He does or the way He does them. Oftentimes what we think is confusing is just a matter of our perspective. Seen from God’s point of view, everything makes sense.

Everything He does is right. And His timing is always right.

If He wants to cause a stupor to come over people to bring confusion, He can do it.

Because God is God.

* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
Isaiah 18
Isaiah 19
Isaiah 20
Isaiah 21
Isaiah 22

This devotional was originally published on July 16, 2021.

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