What biblical examples show the consequences of seeking personal glory over God's plan? Jeremiah 45:5 — The Heart Behind the Warning “ ‘But as for you, do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them! For I am about to bring disaster on all flesh,’ declares the LORD, ‘but I will grant you your life like a spoil of war wherever you go.’ ” Baruch hoped for prominence; God offered preservation instead of status. Scripture repeatedly shows why trading God’s plan for personal glory never ends well. Babel — Scattered Ambitions • Genesis 11:4: “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower… so that we may make a name for ourselves.” • Result (11:8): “So the LORD scattered them… and they stopped building the city.” • Seeking fame fractured community and stalled the very project meant to secure it. Nadab & Abihu — Consumed by Pride • Leviticus 10:1-2: “They presented unauthorized fire before the LORD… So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them.” • Position as priests did not shield them; unauthorized self-promotion in worship cost their lives. Saul — Kingdom Lost for a Self-Monument • 1 Samuel 15:12: “Saul… set up a monument for himself.” • 1 Samuel 15:23: “Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” • The crown became more important to Saul than obedience, and the crown was taken. Uzziah — Leprosy in the Temple • 2 Chronicles 26:15-16: “After Uzziah became strong, his pride led to his destruction.” • 26:19-21: Judgment fell instantly; he lived isolated as a leper until death. • Military success fueled arrogance, which ended his public ministry and cut him off from worship. Hezekiah — Treasury Open, Future Emptied • 2 Kings 20:13: He “showed them his whole treasure house.” • 20:17: “Everything in your palace… will be carried off to Babylon.” • Flaunting riches to impress Babylon paved the way for Babylon to seize them. Nebuchadnezzar — From Palace to Pasture • Daniel 4:30: “Is this not Babylon I have built… for the glory of my majesty?” • 4:33: “He was driven away from mankind… and ate grass like an ox.” • Self-glory stripped away sanity and throne until he acknowledged, “Those who walk in pride He is able to humble” (4:37). Herod Agrippa I — Praise Ended by Worms • Acts 12:22-23: “Because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” • Public adoration became immediate condemnation. A Better Way — Christ’s Humility, God’s Exaltation • Philippians 2:6-9: Though “in very nature God… He humbled Himself… Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place.” • Genuine exaltation comes from God, not from self-promotion. Living the Lesson Today • Renounce the craving to “seek great things” for ourselves; cherish the “life like a spoil” God gives (Jeremiah 45:5). • Evaluate ambitions: Are they advancing Christ’s glory or our own? • Celebrate others’ success; resist building personal monuments. • Remember: when we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, “He will exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). |
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