Day 242

The Sin of Pride

Read: Jeremiah 49-50

Throughout the Bible God condemns sexual sins. But he condemns one sin even more vigorously. It is the sin of pride. Jeremiah continues to receive messages from the Lord regarding the fall of nations. In most cases the fall is traced to the sin of pride.

In the condemnation of the Ammonites we find these lines, “Why do you boast . . . O faithless daughter, who trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’” (49:4). Boasting and trusting in one’s possessions are expressions of pride. God hates pride. Again and again Scripture says that God will bring down the proud and lift up the humble.

In the case of Edom, God speaks of “the pride of your heart” (49:16). One reason for Edom’s pride was her geographical position, “you who live in the clefts of the rock.” Petra, their capital, was literally carved out of the face of a cliff, which seemed impregnable from a military viewpoint. But this will not help them because God has set his face against them. “‘I will bring you down from there,’ says the Lord.”

Kedar refers to the Bedouins who lived in the Arabian desert. Their fall will also come because of their smug complacency. For Kedar is described as “a nation at ease, that dwells securely” (49:31).

While Babylon was used as God’s instrument to punish the other nations, she too will be punished.

PRAYER
Father, help us to see our areas of pride and by your grace to be truly humble. In Jesus’ name. Amen.