“Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the Lord of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt. The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof. The Lord hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit. Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.” (Isaiah 19:11-15)

Zoan was an ancient, royal city in Egypt. It is the place where Moses and Aaron performed miracles in Pharaoh's court (Psalm 78:12). Without the wisdom of God, this place that once ruled a great nation will fall into superstitious worship and make foolish decisions that will hurt the nation.

The city of Noph is also known as Memphis. This city was a famous center for wisdom and education. It too will begin seeking wisdom in earthly things and false gods. Their “wisdom” will appear as a drunk man who walks around vomiting and then falls into the vomit and rolls around in it.

To trust the wisdom of men over the wisdom of God is exactly like this drunk man. While claiming to be wise, this kind of person is actually bathing in his own foolishness.

The word of God gives a sound mind. With it, we can be productive members of society and be a blessing and source of wisdom to others.