Is It Wrong to Be Proud? by Mark D. Roberts

Ezekiel 31:1-18

So now the LORD God proclaims:      Consider the fate of those who tower high!      When it allowed its branches to reach up among the clouds,      it became arrogant. (CEB)

Ezekiel 31:10

Early in my years as a pastor, I was leading a Bible study for several college students. We were studying one of many passages in Scripture that warns us against pride. To my surprise and chagrin, one of my students challenged me: “What’s wrong with pride,” he asked. “I was taught that it’s good to feel proud about your accomplishments. Pride motivates me to work hard in school and to be successful. Why is the Bible so down on pride?”

Perhaps you’ve wondered the same yourself. Is pride necessarily wrong? Does pride have to “go before a fall”? Should I confess when I feel pride in some accomplishment? Should I be on my knees when my children graduate? What’s so wrong with pride, anyway?

When the Bible warns us about pride, it’s not talking about the sense of delight that comes when you complete a project or see your children accomplish something wonderful. Indeed, if God stepped back and saw that his creation was very good, you and I have the freedom to enjoy similar feelings. Scripture focuses on the negative sense of pride, that which we often call arrogance.

In Ezekiel 31, for example, Assyria illustrates an inappropriate and destructive pride. Our translation says that when Assyria noted its own greatness, “it became arrogant.” Other English translations speak of Assyria’s “pride” (NIV, ESV). The New Living Translation uses “proud and arrogant” together. In fact, the original Hebrew of this verse could be literally rendered, “the heart [of Assyria] became lifted up in its height.” The Old Testament uses the image of the heart being raised up as a way of describing human pride that goes beyond the temporary enjoyment of one’s accomplishments. The lifting up of one’s heart means putting oneself in the place of God. It’s not just healthy pride, but unhealthy arrogance.

So, is it wrong to be proud? No, not always. It depends on what you mean by pride. But I would offer a word of warning. I have found that healthy, humble delight in my accomplishments can easily run over into unhealthy, arrogant over-valuing of myself. If you’re inclined to think too much of yourself, let the example of Assyria be a warning to you. Remember, all that you have is ultimately a gift from God. All your accomplishments come by way of his provision. So, yes, delight in what God has done through you, but don’t let your heart be lifted up to the place of God.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: How do you understand the difference between acceptable and unacceptable pride? Do you ever struggle with arrogance? When? Why? What helps you to enjoy your accomplishments in a way that is not sinfully prideful?

PRAYER: Gracious God, help me to see all of life as a gift from you. When I pause, as you once paused, to enjoy that which I have done by your strength, may my pride become thanksgiving, my thanksgiving become worship. In all things, may I humble myself before you, so that you might exalt me in your way and your time. Amen.

http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/it-wrong-be-proud

An Invitation to Hear God’s Word Through Ezekiel by Mark D. Roberts

Ezekiel 1:1-3

In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, I was with the exiles at the Chebar River when the heavens opened and I saw visions of God. (It happened on the fifth day of the month, in the fifth year after King Jehoiachin’s deportation. The LORD’s word burst in on the priest Ezekiel, Buzi’s son, in the land of Babylon at the Chebar River. There the LORD’s power overcame him.) (CEB)

Ezekiel 1:1-3

Today, we begin reflecting on the Old Testament book of Ezekiel. My pattern has been to alternate between the Old Testament and the New Testament. But, given the greater number of Old Testament books, (39 to 27), I will sometimes cover two Old Testament books in a row. We just finished Lamentations. Now we move on to Ezekiel.

The book of Ezekiel is often ignored by Christian readers for several reasons. First, much of the imagery in this book is peculiar and confusing. Those of us who like figuring out puzzles will find ourselves deeply engaged and often stumped by Ezekiel. Second, the prophecies of Ezekiel speak directly to the situation of the Ancient Near East in the early part of the 6th century B.C. Thus, they can seem irrelevant to us and our specific situation. Moreover, the bulk of Ezekiel’s prophecies are unsettlingly negative and quite repetitive. Time and again throughout two decades, Ezekiel communicated the painful truth of God’s judgment. Compacting his prophecies into a short span of time amplifies the discomfort for the contemporary reader.

Nevertheless, we will take the next two months or so to work our way through Ezekiel. We’re doing so not only “Because it’s there,” to quote famed mountaineer George Mallory. Ezekiel is a vital book in the whole canon of Scripture, an essential element of God’s inspired Word. Through this prophet, we encounter God’s justice, to be sure, but also his compassion.

In God’s providence, we will be studying Ezekiel during the Christian season of Lent, which begins next Wednesday. This season is a time for us to remember our fallibility, our mortality, our need for a Savior. Ezekiel underscores these themes page after page. Moreover, this prophetic book also contains a stirring picture of God’s resurrection power. So, the time is right for a prayerful study of Ezekiel.

I invite you to join me as we hear God’s Word in a strange, challenging, and ultimately hopeful way through the prophet Ezekiel.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: Have you ever read the book of Ezekiel? If so, what do you remember about it? If not, you might want to quickly read through the first two or three chapters to get a feel for the book and its unusual message.

PRAYER: Almighty God, you speak to us in many ways. Sometimes your Word is clear. Sometimes we have a hard time figuring out what you are saying. At times, your Word offers deep reassurance. At other times, it makes us uncomfortable. Yet, no matter how we react to your Word, you have given it as a gift so that we might know you more truly and serve you more fully.

As we begin our study of Ezekiel, may we come with open minds and open hearts. May we be ready to hear what you want to say to us. Help us, dear Lord, to grow in our relationship with you, so that we might be your people more fully in every part of life. Amen.

P.S. from Mark: For my reflections based on Ezekiel, I will use the Common English Bible, as I did for Lamentations. I am getting to know this new translation, which is supposed to be both accurate and easy to read. You are, of course, welcome to read the daily biblical text in whatever translation you prefer.

 http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/invitation-hear-gods-word-through-ezekiel