What are you proud of? Are you proud of your accomplishments, strength, and good morals? It is easy to forget that nothing of substance we accomplish can be without God. It’s simple to become enamored of ourselves and forget the Lord, even in our rituals of “following” Him. The Lord has judged and will judge people who glorify themselves instead of Him. Verse 1 describes that false pride this way,
“Ah, the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim,
and the fading flower of its glorious beauty,
which is on the head of the rich valley of those overcome with wine!”
It is based on folly and while it may look good it is temporary. It will be destroyed. But the glory of the Lord is different. Verse 5-6 describe it like this,
“In that day the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory,
and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people,
6 and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment,
and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.”
The Lord’s glory is big enough to share with His people. It covers all those who seek Him, true and perfect Justice, Love, and Righteousness. The people God chose to receive His Word and His wisdom defiled it with their pride and arrogance. They didn’t honor it and they didn’t honor God. So The Lord said, “Fine, you don’t want this great and awesome gift, should I give it to your children before they have a chance to become lushes? Should I feed it to you one simple line at a time and hope you get it? (Verses 9-10).
The Lord had a better answer. He revealed His Word to others, He revealed Himself to the gentiles. His chosen people refused Christ, so He chose the gentiles, whom The Israelites reviled. Along with that revelation comes Salvation with all its beautiful gifts. Even offering Salvation to the gentiles is a call to the Israelites and yet still, they do not put away their pride and open their eyes to see the Awesome Beauty of Jesus the Messiah. Verses 11-13 read,
“For by people of strange lips
and with a foreign tongue
the Lord will speak to this people,
12 to whom he has said,
“This is rest;
give rest to the weary;
and this is repose”;
yet they would not hear.
13 And the word of the Lord will be to them
precept upon precept, precept upon precept,
line upon line, line upon line,
here a little, there a little,
that they may go, and fall backward,
and be broken, and snared, and taken.”
Rather than believe the truth, people would rather believe lies. Rather than accept the gift of Eternal Life people choose death and pretend it is a good thing. But God will have His way. He gives His Salvation to people who want it. He is a God of Justice and justice is His. His work will come to its fruition. Just as you reap after you sow, and sow after you plough.
Are you basking in the glow of your accomplishments are you shining the Light of God’s Awesome Love to the world? Do you understand the strength and power God gave you is Him? His Holy Spirit is who you gain wisdom, power, love and faith from. Jesus is who you achieve righteousness and authority from. The Father is who you acquire love and revelation from. It is not you. It is Him. So be sure the banner you are waving is Christ, not you.