What other scriptures emphasize the dangers of pride and self-indulgence like Amos 6:7? Setting the Scene beside Amos 6:7 “Therefore, you will now go into exile as the first of the captives; your feasting and lounging will end.” Amos’ warning is not isolated. Scripture repeats the same drum-beat: pride and self-indulgence end in loss, exile, or judgment. Wisdom Literature: Pride’s Built-in Boomerang • Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” • Proverbs 18:12 – “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” • Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.” The Prophets: National Woes for Arrogance • Isaiah 2:11-12 – “The proud look of man will be humbled… the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” • Isaiah 5:11-12 – “Woe to those who rise early… inflamed by wine… but they disregard the deeds of the LORD.” • Ezekiel 16:49-50 – “Sodom… was arrogant, overfed, and complacent… therefore I removed them.” • Obadiah 1:3-4 – “The pride of your heart has deceived you… even from there I will bring you down.” • Zephaniah 2:10 – “This they shall have for their pride.” Historical Snapshots: Kings Who Thought They Were Untouchable • 2 Chronicles 26:16 – “After Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.” • 2 Chronicles 32:25 – “Hezekiah did not repay the kindness shown him, because his heart was proud; so wrath came.” • Daniel 5:20-21 – “Nebuchadnezzar… deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory… until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign.” Jesus’ Teaching: Luxury Today, Loss Tomorrow • Luke 12:19-21 – “‘Take it easy; eat, drink, and be merry!’ But God said… ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you.’” • Luke 16:19, 25 – “A rich man… lived in luxury every day… ‘Child, remember that you received your good things during your lifetime… but now you are in agony.’” Epistles: Church-Age Alerts • 2 Timothy 3:1-4 – “In the last days… men will be lovers of themselves… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” • Philippians 3:18-19 – “Their end is destruction; their god is their belly.” • James 4:6 – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” • 1 John 2:16 – “Desires of the flesh… and the pride of life—is not from the Father.” Revelation: Final Reckonings • Revelation 3:17 – “You say, ‘I am rich…’ but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” • Revelation 18:7 – “She glorified herself and lived in luxury… ‘I sit as queen…’ therefore ‘give her torment and grief.’” Key Takeaways to Anchor Our Hearts • Pride blinds; humility opens eyes. • Self-indulgence dulls spiritual sensitivity; service sharpens it. • Every text above pairs arrogant ease with sudden reversal—just as in Amos 6:7. • The cure is not merely avoiding excess but actively seeking the Lord’s honor over our own. |
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