Ezk 31:10-11
10 "Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height, 11 I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations. He shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves. I have cast it out.
(ESV)
We have often heart that pride goes before a fall, which is based on Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Why does pride go before destruction? Is there something about pride that is itself destructive, or is something else going on here? It may be that pride itself is destructive, at least in some cases, but I think there is something more significant going on.
In the verses quoted above Assyria was proud, "Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height." Yet where did it's "height" come from? The scriptures teach us that rulers are put in place by God. An individual is proud of their physical beauty, but where did their bone structure, stature, etc. come from? Did not God form that individual in the womb? A business leader is proud of their accomplishments, but where did their ability come from? Did not God design them and orchestrate even the opportunities they had to accomplish what they did?
Pride goes before a fall because pride is idolatry. It is making idols of ourselves. It is robbing God of his glory and taking credit for his blessings. This is nothing new. The temptation in the Garden of Eden was, "You can be like God." That is the essence of pride, and that is why God will not let us get away with taking credit for what he has done.
Father, forgive me for the times I have taken credit for that which was truly only a gift from you. Today may I walk in humility and gratitude.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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