Moab's pride vs Prov 16:18: Similarities?
Compare Moab's pride with Proverbs 16:18. What similarities do you find?

Moab’s Pride on Display (Isaiah 16:6)

“We have heard of Moab’s pride—how very proud he is—of his arrogance, his pride, his insolence, and his empty boasting.” (Isaiah 16:6)


Solomon’s Warning (Proverbs 16:18)

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)


Shared Threads Between Moab and Proverbs 16:18

• Same root attitude

– Moab: “arrogance… insolence… empty boasting.”

– Proverbs: “pride… haughty spirit.”

• Same trajectory

– Moab’s self-exaltation leads to national humiliation (Isaiah 16:7–14; Jeremiah 48:42).

– Proverbs states the universal law: pride → destruction, haughtiness → fall.

• Same false security

– Moab trusted fortified cities and wealth (Jeremiah 48:7).

– Proverbs exposes the illusion that pride can hold one up.

• Same divine response

– God opposes the proud (James 4:6); He brought Moab low (Isaiah 15–16).

– Proverbs announces the pattern of God’s governance: downfall follows pride.


Historical Proof of the Principle

1. Moab’s downfall under Babylon (Jeremiah 27:3–6) validated Proverbs 16:18 in real time.

2. Other examples echo the pattern:

• Pharaoh (Exodus 14)

• Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30–37)

• Edom (Obadiah 1:3–4)


Living Takeaways

• Pride is never merely an attitude; it is a countdown to collapse.

• National, congregational, or personal life all move on the same track: humility invites grace; arrogance invites judgment (1 Peter 5:5–6).

• The surest protection from Moab’s fate is daily dependence on the Lord, esteeming Him—not ourselves—as our security and boast (Jeremiah 9:23–24).

How can we guard against pride as warned in Isaiah 16:6?
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