The Fall of Pride
The higher you climb to exalt yourself, the greater your fall. Babylon sought to climb the mountain of glory by crushing her enemies and shaking her fist at God. But what was her fate? An everlasting kingdom like that promised to David? No, death and destruction. This is what Isaiah said about the destiny of Babylon: “All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you. How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit” (Isa. 14:11–15 NIV).
This is the fate of all who refuse to humble themselves before the Lord. They may try to ascend His holy mountain, but they will only fall from its great height into the depths below. Only those who humble themselves before the Lord can ascend His holy mountain. Those who rise up against Him will be consumed by worms. Like Babylon, this was the way of Edom: “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD” (Obad. 3–4 NIV).
Do not emulate Babylon and Edom, but follow the ways of Christ, who humbled Himself, gave up His glory, made Himself of no reputation, and sacrificed His life so His people would be exalted. Because Christ “has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows … was wounded for our transgressions … was oppressed and afflicted … was led as a lamb to the slaughter” (Isa. 53:4–7), we will live among the great and enjoy the spoils of victory. In all things and in all circumstances, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).
(1995). Tabletalk Magazine, June 1995: Anger, 23.
