Very Proud – September 5, 2008

Very Proud

Ezekiel 28:4-5

Jim Stephens

09-05-08

 

Scripture:

 

4 With your wisdom and understanding you have amassed great wealth— gold and silver for your treasuries. 5 Yes, your wisdom has made you very rich, and your riches have made you very proud. (Ezekiel 28:4-5 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

In this prophecy to and about the King of the island city-state of Tyre, Ezekiel uses some language that not only addresses the human king, but addresses Satan, whose pride and rebellion made him an enemy of God and good.

 

The King of Tyre was clearly a brilliant leader.  He had made his small city-state a center of world trade.  They produced little, mostly quality manufactured goods, but they bought and sold everything – and reaped a handsome profit from their business.

 

The King of Tyre had made his state and himself very wealthy by the application of his “wisdom” and he had become very proud.  He had become proud like Satan became proud before he was cast out of heaven.

 

Application:

 

When one is very wealthy, other people treat you differently.  Some are intimidated, others are impressed, some look for what they can get from you – but people really do treat you differently if you are very wealthy.  The big danger that Ezekiel is addressing is that when one is wealthy because one has amassed wealth through wisdom and skill, the next step is often pride.

 

There are a lot of people who have wisdom (skill, ability, drive, motivation) that don’t amass a lot of wealth.  Some work just as hard and skillfully to serve the poor, to address injustice, to ease suffering, to create art and beauty.

 

But in any case, the main issue here is pride.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I pray for people I know who have wisdom and who use their wisdom to amass wealth, to achieve success, to accomplish goals, and to achieve some degree of fame or recognition.  I pray that they will not give in to pride.  I pray that you will protect me from pride.  I am your servant and I serve at the pleasure of my Lord Jesus.