What other scriptures emphasize God's authority over human pride and wickedness? Setting the Stage: Job 40:12 “Look on every proud man and humble him; crush the wicked where they stand.” Pride Humbled: Wisdom Literature Speaks • Proverbs 16:18 — “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” • Proverbs 21:30 — “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can prevail against the LORD.” • Psalm 75:4-7 — “I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn.’ … God is the Judge: He brings one down, He exalts another.” • Psalm 37:12-13 — “The wicked scheme against the righteous … but the Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.” Historic Examples: Kings Who Learned God’s Supremacy • Daniel 4:34-37 — Nebuchadnezzar: “All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing … those who walk in pride He is able to humble.” • Acts 12:21-23 — Herod Agrippa struck down when he accepted praise as a god. • 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 — Uzziah’s pride led to leprosy when he usurped priestly duties. Prophetic Declarations Against Arrogant Nations • Isaiah 2:11-12 — “The proud look of man will be humbled … the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” • Jeremiah 50:31-32 — “I am against you, O arrogant one … your day has come.” • Ezekiel 28:2-8 — “Wealth has filled your heart with pride … you will die the death of the uncircumcised.” • Nahum 1:3, 8 — “The LORD is slow to anger but great in power … He will make an end of His foes.” New Testament Echoes: God Still Opposes the Proud • Luke 1:51-52 — “He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts; He has brought down rulers from their thrones.” • James 4:6 — “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” • 1 Peter 5:5 — “Clothe yourselves with humility … because ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” Authority Over Wickedness: Present and Future • Psalm 2:1-6 — “Why do the nations rage? … The One enthroned in heaven laughs.” • Malachi 4:1-3 — “All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble … but for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise.” • Revelation 19:11-21 — The victorious Christ “strikes down the nations” and casts the beast and false prophet alive into the lake of fire. Living in the Light of God’s Authority • Recognize that every boast will meet God’s humbling hand. • Trust that wickedness never escapes His notice or control. • Choose humility now, receiving grace instead of resistance. |
    |