DANGERS OF PRIDE
Obadiah 1:1-21
Definition of PRIDE
1. A reasonable and justifiable self-respect.
2. An inordinate self-esteem: conceit; inflated self-exaltation; exceeding reasonable limits.
ILLUSTRATION Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it.— Bud Robinson
How do we know if we are guilty of this sin? Oswald Sanders suggested three tests by which pride can be discovered:
1. The test of precedence. How do we react when another is selected for the assignment we expected, or for the office we coveted? When another is promoted and we are overlooked? When another outshines us in gifts and accomplishments.
2. The test of sincerity. In our moments of honest self-criticism we will say many things about ourselves, and really mean them. But how do we feel when others, especially our rivals, say exactly the same things about us?
3. The test of criticism. Does criticism arouse hostility and resentment in our hearts, and cause us to fly into immediate self-justification?
This morning I would like to speak on the dangers of pride. Some people don’t realize the risk of living in pride. Please turn your Bibles to Obadiah 1:1-21.
EXPOSITION
BACKGROUND When Jerusalem, the capital of the kingdom of Judah, fell to the Babylonian army in 587 B.C., those in the neighboring kingdom of Edom joined in looting the city. They even intercepted fleeing Judeans and turned them over to the Babylonians to be executed or enslaved.
The Edomites showed no compassion even though they were related to the nation that was being destroyed. Edom was descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob, who was the ancestor of the Israelites.
The Edomites ruthless treatment of their helpless neighbors drew rebukes from the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The prophet Obadiah, who seems to have been among those who remained behind when many Judeans were taken into exile, added an oracle of his own.
He assured the people of his community that God would repay Edom for its treachery, and that God would restore their own fortunes in the process.
What made the Edomites commit their actions? In v. 3, Obadiah stated their sin and it was about the “pride of their heart.” Pride is a dangerous attitude and it causes the Edomites to say “who can bring me down to the ground?”
Why is pride dangerous?
1. PRIDE IS DECEPTIVE. (v. 3-9)
Pride develops a false sense of security and self-sufficiency. To trust in self and one’s own ability to the exclusion of God is spiritually suicidal. Edomites pride rests on the following:
a. Geographical Location (vv. 3-4) – The Edomites lived in high, secure, seemingly unconquerable mountainous places. Their rugged inaccessible fortresses gave them a false security
Their pride is dramatically likened to the eagle, which both nests and soars in the heights and is known for deadly and devastating attacks upon helpless and unfortunate victims.
b. Material Provision (vv. 5-6) – The mention of wealth and goods by the prophet implied that wealth is one of the reasons for their pride. Verses 5-6 express one thought: all the wealth and treasures of Edom will be taken away.
Thieves and robbers only take what they want or need. But when God delivers his judgment, everything will be loss. The same thing when the grape pickers do their job, they don’t complete strip the vines. But when God delivers his judgment, nothing will be left.
c. International Connection (vv. 7) – Greater than the loss of wealth is the loss of friends or human support. Edom will be left to stand alone. There comes a time in a life of a proud people that all of his close friends will abandon them.
Friends whom we think can be dependable and committed to support us in times of need would not be there. In fact, at times they are the very source of our own downfall.
d. Practical Wisdom (v. 8) – Edom was famous for wisdom and wise men. The loss of this practical wisdom, which was Edom’s claim to fame in the ancient world, will be part of the complete destruction to befall Edom.
e. Aggressive Warrior (v. 9) – Deliverance in disaster is usually accomplished by the valiant warriors or the mighty men. But Edom does not have even this straw of hope to grasp. Its warriors will be terrified and cut down in the slaughter.
All these resources are the common source of pride by men. They are deceptive because when the real challenges come they cannot withstand the test. Why? Pride’s greatest enemy is not man but God.
No amount of wisdom, wealth, warrior, and friends can defend us from the judgment of God. Don’t be deceived by the sources of your pride. SEE JOB 20:4-10.
2. PRIDE IS DESTRUCTIVE. (v. 10-14)
The destruction of Edom has been graphically described. Pride resulted to various wicked schemes. Because of false sense of security and sufficiency, the proud are not afraid to sin against their neighbors.
ILLUSTRATION Pride is the ground in which all other sins grow.—William Barkley
a. Stood aloof (v. 11) – When strangers carried off Jacob’s wealth and foreigners entered Jerusalem’s gates and cast lots, the Edomites stood aloof or refused to help. The prophet said “they became like one of them.”
In verses 12-14 eight statements set forth the specific charges for which Edom deserves and shall receive punishment.
b. Unrestrained and openly expressed joy at the misfortune suffered by Judah (v. 12)
c. Looting the city of Jerusalem as it lay defenseless (v. 13)
d. Intercepting the refugees from the conquered city, imprisoning them, enslaving them, or delivering them up either to the Babylonians or to slave traders. (v. 14)
Pride destroyed one’s sense of sympathy, compassion, respect and concerns for the welfare of others. Pride sees no one but self. Pride cares for no one but self. Pride destroys our sense of inter-personal relationship. What is going to happen?
3. PRIDE IS PUNISHABLE BY GOD. (vv. 15-21)
If you are a victim of a proud person, don’t lose hope. God is on your side. God knows what you have experienced and will take steps to punish or discipline the proud.
To the proud, the prophet said “As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” Complete devastation waits for those in their pride abused others while for God’s people there is hope. SEE EZEKIEL 28:2-10
The Edomites declared “Who can bring me down to the ground?” Pride can bring you down to the ground. God would cause to realize that He alone should be exalted. SEE VERSE 2.
How do we keep ourselves free from pride? It is part of our nature to long for recognition and savor the results of our efforts. Here are some thoughts that you may consider to keep you from pride.
1. Watch out for the devil is out there to exploit your legitimate success and use it against you.
There is nothing wrong in gaining wealth, wisdom, and power but don’t let these deceive you and make you feel untouchables and impregnable. Success does not give us the authority to do what we want. Success does not make us a superhumans. We are just the same finite beings with goods in our hands.
2. Wait on the Lord to exalt you. SEE 1 PETER 5:6. PROVERBS 27:2
God knows your sacrifices and hard work. When you deserve to be exalted, He will do it in due time. Stay humble before the Lord, and He will lift you up in due time.
3. If you want to boast, boast on what God has done. SEE PSALM 34:2-3; 1 CORINTHINS 1:31.
Whatever success or accomplishment that we have is a privilege and an opportunity given by God. Therefore if there is some one to be exalted and honored it should always be our God.
4. Whatever form of success or achievement we have, they are not only rewards but also a responsibility.
We must be good stewards of those privileges and used them appropriately. Don’t hoard. God will not allow his blessings to flow through a blocked channel. Don’t make success your master, make them your servant and use them responsibly.
CONCLUSION
One of the safe attitudes that can secure our lives is humility. It secures our relationships, our reputations, and convictions.
