"Arrogance"

 

“Arrogance”

 

In early September my journaling through Scripture took me to the ten plagues God brought on Egypt described in the early chapters of Exodus. In striking the nation with these scourges the Lord was showing His power over the false gods the Egyptians worshipped. But as I read these accounts what amazed me most was Pharaoh’s (probably Amenhotep II according to ancient history scholars) arrogance in the face of the obvious superiority of Moses’ and Aaron’s God. After the final calamity, the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household (including his crown prince) and his dismissal of the Israelites from his nation, he had the gall to ask Moses, “And also bless me.” (Exodus 12:32). Had he learned? Nope! Almost immediately he led his army in pursuit of God’s people to bring them back to slavery and it cost him his life (“The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen…Not one of them survived.”—Exodus 14:28). He’s Exhibit A of Solomon’s statement: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18).

Perhaps the most egregious example of arrogance in modern history is Hitler, who like Pharaoh caused the deaths of many of his countrymen by his egotistical actions. (I’ve previously referred to his missing his prediction of a 1000 year Reich by a mere 988 years!) But other political leaders as well as entertainers, sports figures, those in professional circles and (surprise) even preachers can fall prey to this subtle and dangerous sin. Listen to Solomon (“{God}…gives grace to the humble.”--Proverbs 3:34) and Jesus (“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”—Matthew 5:5). Both of these truths fly in the face of human nature which is prone to self-promotion so we need to heed our Lord’s brother’s words: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”(James 4:10, emphasis added).

In writing to a church he’d never visited but apparently knew a lot about Paul said, “Do not think of yourself more highly that you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment….” (Romans 12:3). It’s certainly not wrong to recognize and thank God for the gifts and abilities He’s entrusted to us but let’s let others do the praising (“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth….”—Proverbs 27:2) and say with Paul, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ….” (Galatians 6:14). Amen!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan