SOME THOUGHTS ON THE DANGER OF PRIDE

One of the most tragic figures in the Bible is King Solomon. After succeeding his father David on the unified throne of Israel, he worshipped the Lord. God appeared to Solomon and promised to give him anything he requested. Solomon asked for wisdom to rule and lead God’s people. God not only gave him what he asked for—God gave him everything he did not ask for, including incredible wealth and success.

The Book of Proverbs captured the wise sayings of Solomon including:

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

He should know. Once known as the wisest man who ever lived, he forgot the Lord-- source of his wisdom—and squandered the success God gave him to chase after pleasure and other gods. By the time Solomon died, his kingdom was divided and his legacy in shambles. Pride goes before a fall.

This also happens to one of Solomon's descendents, Uzziah. He led the Kingdom of Judah to its highest success:

“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.” (2 Chronicles 26:16)

Uzziah wasn’t content with political power; he wanted religious power, too. In Numbers chapter 3, Uzziah went into God’s temple to burn incense, which was something only priests were allowed to do. Putting their lives at risk, some priests followed the king into the temple and opposed him to his face. When he refused to back down, God struck him with leprosy. Uzziah lived in isolation for the rest of his life and was banned from the temple of God (see 2 Chronicles 26:21).

The problem with too much earthly success is that it can lead to pride, which often leads to a downfall. The antidote to pride is humility. As David reminds us:

“You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.” (2 Samuel 22:28)

From Solomon and Uzziah, we learn that starting well is no guarantee of finishing well. When they lived righteously, God gave them success. When they were filled with pride, they experienced tragic falls.

“It is better to struggle throughout our lives than succeed at the cost of our souls. Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.” (Proverbs 15:16)

Stay humble and fear the Lord, my friends!

Bishop Jeff Greenway