We read in the Old Testament of the Bible, ‘And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the sea shore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men’, 1 Kings chapter 4 verses 29-31. When he depended on this God-given wisdom, there was much for God and the nation of Israel in his life; however, there were times, when he trusted in his own wisdom and the outcomes were disastrous!

Before Solomon came to the throne, God asked him a question: ‘Ask! What shall I give you?’ 1 Kings chapter 3 verse 5. In an impressive display of humility, he asked for an understanding heart, so that he could rule, wisely, over God’s great people. He was conscious of his youth and inexperience; therefore, he admitted, humbly, that the task of kingship was beyond him. At this point, there was no evidence of the pride that was manifested later on in his life; indeed, the Scriptures bear testimony to the many wise words that he, and other servants of God, spoke about the dangers of a proud spirit: ‘PRIDE goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.; better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud’, Proverbs chapter 16 verses 18-19.

OFFENSIVENESS OF PRIDE

The following verses from the Bible, speak for themselves:

• ‘These six things the Lord HATES . . . a proud look’, Proverbs chapter 6 verse 17.
• ‘Everyone proud in heart is an ABOMINATION to the Lord’, Proverbs chapter 16 verse 5.
• ‘Be clothed with humility, for “God RESISTS the proud, but gives grace to the humble” ’, 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 5.

This is strong language! It could not be put any clearer. If God hates PRIDE to this extent, so ought we!

To be continued