The Wisdom of the Wise
A Sermon on Isaiah 5:21
Originally preached March 1, 1964
Scripture
21Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Sermon Description
Everyone needs to consider what is their greatest need. Is it health, fitness, employment, love? Do these desires distract them from their need for God? Throughout history, humanity cycles through philosophies to explain away their need for God and declare their own intellectual superiority. In this sermon on Isaiah 5:21 titled “The Wisdom of the Wise,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out that these philosophies are recycled like clothes that go in and out of style and fashion. There is no truly new philosophy. Moreover, he points out that any philosophy that leads to saying “there is no God” is foolish and is a copy of the first sin in the garden of Eden. In fact, he points out that wherever humanity says “I know best,” they are in danger of repeating the sin of Adam and Eve. This kind of intellectual and moral superiority is not only false, but also dangerous. When a person tries to solve their problems with intellect, they may solve some bodily ailments, but cannot repair the state of their own soul. The Christian should consider if they are caught up with fixing their own problems and if these “solutions” distract them from Christ and the salvation that He provides. Sin is the greatest ailment and Christ is the only remedy.
Sermon Breakdown
- The passage under consideration is Isaiah 5:21 which says “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”
- This passage is the fifth woe pronounced by Isaiah on the people of his time around 800 years before Christ.
- Isaiah addresses the general condition of the people and then gives specific examples of their sin. This is a common way for the Bible to present truth.
- The prophet calls the people to consider their ways before it’s too late. His message reveals God’s view of the human condition at all times.
- Isaiah 5 is very relevant today. It shows the Bible is contemporary and man’s essential problem is always the same. There is nothing new under the sun. Life goes in cycles.
- The passage warns against humanism - belief in man without God. There are two forms: classical (reliance on Greek philosophy) and scientific (reliance on science).
- The Bible values the intellect but condemns pride in human wisdom and reliance on it alone. Man should not worship his own mind.
- A woe is pronounced on humanism because:
- It is a lie. Man thinks he is wise but his life and world show he is not. He does not understand himself, life or his problems.
- It leads to pride, self-confidence, rebellion against God and moral decline. When man relies on himself, he descends into evil.
- It causes man to refuse God’s salvation. Man thinks he does not need God or the gospel.
- God will judge humanism and man’s arrogance. Revelation 18 shows how suddenly Babylon (man’s civilization) will fall.
- The solution is “the fear of the Lord” - recognizing our foolishness and need for God. We must become as children and trust in Christ, the wisdom and power of God. God will give us new life, wisdom, and understanding.
Sermon Q&A
What Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About Humanism in His Sermon?
What is the specific Bible verse that Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines Isaiah 5:21, which states: "Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight." This verse is the fifth of several "woes" that the prophet Isaiah pronounces upon his contemporaries.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define humanism in his sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines humanism as "the belief in humanity without God." He explains it as a belief in man's self-sufficiency, where "man is the center of the universe, and there is nothing bigger and nothing greater than man." It places all interest upon man while banishing God from the equation.
What are the two main forms of humanism that Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies two main forms of humanism: 1. Classical humanism - which turns to Greek literature, philosophy, drama, and poetry for wisdom rather than to the Bible 2. Scientific humanism - a more modern approach that looks to scientific understanding of the universe as the answer to human problems
Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe that Christianity is against intellect or reason?
No, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explicitly states that Christianity is not against intellect or reason. He says: "It is no part of the case for the Christian gospel to say anything derogatory of the intellect." In fact, he affirms that "the gospel places great value upon the intellect" and that "the highest gift that God has given to men in the realm of gifts... is mind."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the real problem with humanism?
The real problem with humanism, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is not intelligence itself but man's pride in his intelligence - when man "puts his final confidence in it" and "begins to worship it." The issue is when people become "wise in their own eyes" and believe they are "sufficient in and of themselves" without needing God.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe that humanism fails to solve human problems?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that humanism fails because: 1. It is a lie - it claims wisdom but cannot demonstrate it in practical living 2. Humanists cannot even understand themselves or the meaning of life 3. It fails to identify the true cause of human problems 4. It can only describe problems but cannot solve them 5. It has led to two world wars and ongoing conflicts despite all our "advancement"
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the relationship between humanism and morality?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that "there has never been humanism without a moral decline." He argues that when man sets himself up as the final authority, "he always descends into the abyss." While individual humanists might be moral people, historically whenever humanism has been in the ascendant, morality has declined because man rejects God's standards of righteousness and holiness.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe is the most severe consequence of humanism?
The most severe consequence of humanism, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is that it causes people to refuse God's way of salvation. Pride in human intellect and self-sufficiency prevents people from accepting the gospel of Christ which could deliver them from their predicament.
What solution does Dr. Lloyd-Jones offer to the problem of humanism?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers a biblical solution: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." He quotes 1 Corinthians 3:18: "If any man willeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool that he may be wise." The solution is humility before God, acknowledging our limitations, becoming "as little children," and experiencing the new birth in Christ. Only then can we receive true wisdom from God.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones connect this sermon to contemporary life in his time?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones repeatedly states that this message from Isaiah is "extraordinarily contemporary." He points out that modern society demonstrates the same pride in human achievement despite obvious failures, and faces the same consequences. He observes that "modern men with all his cleverness is incapable of inventing a new sin" and that there is "nothing new under the sun" - the basic human condition and problems remain the same throughout history.
Old Testament
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.