"This is what the LORD says: 'In the same way I'll ruin the pride of Judah and the pride of Jerusalem”. Jeremiah 13:9 ISV
“Pride” is a silent evil that creeps into our systems and then becomes a constant companion to all our thoughts, actions and sins against GOD. Pride can be good or evil depending on how we associate ourselves with it. The negative connotation refers to an inflated sense of one’s own personal status or accomplishments often referred to as “hubris”. The positive connotation refers to a satisfied sense of attachment towards one’s own actions or another’s choice, or even towards a whole group of people.
Judah and Jerusalem were filled with pride, not the pride one would associate to the positive type but negative in nature and action. The cities were filled with people who were living in an inflated sense of one’s own personal status. They felt that their abilities and achievements were way above the blessings that GOD gave them. In order to further enjoy the pleasures and vile of the world they accepted the dark practices and customs of their neighboring countries.
In Jeremiah 13:17, the prophet says “But If ye will not hear it, my soul will weep in secret place for your pride...”, I believe GOD constantly reminds us of our role in this world and cautions us when our pride becomes a negative force that pushes us away from HIM. In today’s global economy, pride is the major reason that we are not able to share or care for the weaker ones. As we look through the story of Judah and Jerusalem it explains as to why GOD strikes nations that once feared HIM and reminds them that their pride as taken them away from HIM.
There are many Judah and Jerusalem’s out there and they are made up of people who are misled by their pride and darkness that surrounds the truth. Let us pray that we will break down the pride in us and cry out like the prophet Jeremiah that we too may not be taken away as captives to Babylon.
To Ponder
What does Pride make you do against GOD?
Deeps
©SFTEOH 2012