The Pride of Life
1 John 2:16 AMP
“For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world.”
There is so much to learn of the kings who ruled in the books of the Kings and the Chronicles. However, I’ve noticed a thorough line in almost all of the kings, whether righteous or evil. There’s always this one area that trips them up… For Hezekiah, it was pride.
King Hezekiah did a lot of good before the Lord. However, like other kings in the Bible, he had that one area which he did not allow the Lord to deal with and caused him to stumble.
There’s a particular moment in his story that sat with me…
For context, Hezekiah had become so full of himself and his possessions that when destruction came knocking at his door, by his pride, he welcomed it with open arms.
2 Chronicles 32:24-26 AMP
“In those days Hezekiah became terminally ill; and he prayed to the Lord, and He answered him and gave him a [miraculous] sign. But Hezekiah did nothing [for the Lord] in return for the benefit bestowed on him, because his heart had become proud; therefore God’s wrath came on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. However, Hezekiah humbled his proud heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah.”
Yet, despite humbling himself so that the wrath of God did not come upon him and Jerusalem, there was still some pride left in him…
Isaiah 39:1-2 AMP
“At that time Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent [messengers with] letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that he had been sick and had recovered. [2 Kin 20:12-19] Hezekiah was pleased and showed them his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his entire armory and everything that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his area of dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.”
Catch this. Hezekiah was so proud of his possessions that he showed the Babylonians everything! It didn’t even occur to him that he could be putting himself in a dangerous situation; and getting caught up in showing off his possessions, namely the pride of life, ended up being his downfall.
That is such a sobering thought.
Isaiah 39:3-7 AMP
“Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and asked, “What did these men say? From where have they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They came to me from a far country, from Babylon.” Then Isaiah said, “What have they seen in your house?” And Hezekiah answered, “They have seen everything that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.” Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts, ‘Listen carefully, the days are coming when everything that is in your house and everything that your predecessors have stored up until this day will be carried to Babylon; nothing will be left,’ says the Lord. ‘And some of your own sons (descendants) who will come from you, whom you will father, will be taken away, and they will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ””
2 Chronicles 32:27-29 AMP
“Now Hezekiah had immense wealth and honor; and he made for himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of delightful articles, and storehouses for the produce of grain, new wine, and [olive] oil, and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and sheepfolds for the flocks. Moreover, he made cities for himself and acquired an abundance of flocks and herds, for God gave him very many possessions.”
Yes, the Lord greatly blessed him but he got so caught up in his possessions that his pride blinded him. So much so, that he couldn’t even discern that showing foreigners all of his possessions was foolish!
The same rules apply for us. The Lord may bless us with many things but it is never for us to be “caught up” in these things.
It is so easy to get “caught up” in the glitz and glamour of life, but remember that is not of the Father. That is not the narrow way that leads to life, rather the wide path that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).
1 John 2:15 AMP
“Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Point being, let us not get caught up in the pride of life, or else, just like King Hezekiah, destruction will be the end of the story.
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”