PROVERBS 16
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
– Proverbs 16:13-18
PROVERBS 16 PRIDE LEADS TO DESTRUCTION
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
A man who thinks highly of himself will come to ruin
He who has a haughty spirit will constantly sin
His mind seeks only what is pleasing to himself
He has no concern for others but to gratify his desires
A proud man is wicked and is an abomination to the Lord
He will not go unpunished for he does not acknowledge God.
King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:16 after he became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. In 2 Chronicles 32:24-26: “Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown to him; therefore, the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem”. In Daniel 4 we also have King Nebuchadnezzar as another king who was so proud. Daniel warns Nebuchadnezzar that he is a tree that could be cut down because of his pride in his power. Nebuchadnezzar will become more like an animal than a man, and will be humiliated and dethroned for seven years.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think pride leads to destruction?
