What does "grew exceedingly great" teach about unchecked ambition and pride? The Phrase in Context • Daniel 8:8 – “The male goat became very great; but at the height of its power, the large horn was broken.” • 2 Chronicles 26:15-16 – “…his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped until he became strong. But when he became strong, he grew arrogant, and it led to his downfall…” The wording varies, yet the pattern is identical: rapid rise, swelling pride, sudden collapse. What Unchecked Ambition Looks Like • Momentum without accountability – achievements stack up so quickly that self-evaluation is postponed. • Self-magnification – success shifts from gratitude (“God helped me”) to self-credit (“I made this happen”). • Boundary crossing – like Uzziah forcing his way into the temple, pride pushes past God-given limits. • Delusion of invincibility – the goat in Daniel tramples everything in sight until God snaps the horn. Biblical Principles Exposed • Pride blinds (Obadiah 1:3). Vision narrows to personal gain, ignoring the cliff ahead. • God actively resists arrogance (James 4:6; Proverbs 16:5). Resistance isn’t passive; it is divine opposition. • Collapse is often sudden (Proverbs 16:18). The broken horn, the leprous king, Nebuchadnezzar’s madness—judgment comes swiftly. • True greatness depends on humility (Matthew 23:12). Scripture flips the world’s ladder: down is up. Warning Signs to Watch For • Prayer life shrinks while platform grows. • Counsel is avoided because it might “slow progress.” • Achievements are advertised more than God’s grace. • Boundaries once honored now feel “beneath” you. Guardrails Against Pride • Daily thanksgiving (Psalm 115:1) – rehearse God’s role in each win. • Intentional accountability – invite people who can say “no” (Proverbs 27:6). • Rhythms of hidden service – tasks no one applauds keep the heart low (John 13:14-15). • Remember the end – kingdoms rise and fall, but “the LORD reigns forever” (Psalm 146:10). Living the Lesson Unchecked ambition may sparkle, but “grew exceedingly great” is Scripture’s red-flag phrase; it signals a danger zone where pride can harden, and God’s corrective hand will intervene. Choosing humility early spares the painful break that follows unrestrained self-exaltation. |
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