I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. – Isaiah 13:11
Pride goes before a fall. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Chapter thirteen begins with an oracle Isaiah delivers against Babylon and Assyria. An ‘oracle’ could be translated as a ‘weighty message’ or ‘burden.’ Isaiah addresses questions like what will happen to an individual or nation that elevates himself against the Lord Almighty.
Babylon was a powerful nation. It was the centre of world trade, where people of different nationalities came together. In their brutal power, they had put Judah and the other nations through immense suffering. And now Isaiah delivered this oracle against Babylon and how it will be brought low by the Medes. Verses 14-16 talk about the judgment. Babylonians would be cruelly massacred while the people that came to do trade with them fled in fear in all directions.
In today’s world, promoting oneself is almost the norm and expectation. News channels and media today are full news of killings, revenge and all kinds of evil. About how people vie with one another to outdo and exalt themselves to positions of power and wealth in every field including politics, economics, and entertainment. We almost never hear stories of how God delivered His people.
Self-exaltation is elevating oneself above God. It is shaking a fist in His ‘face’ and His ways. And that is pride. Beware. For God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble (1 Peter 5:5)
Where are you positioned today, above or below God?
Lord, give me a humble and a contrite heart I pray.
Extended Reading — Isaiah 13-17
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