The pride of your heart has deceived you.
—Obadiah 1:3
The Edomites were a cocky bunch. “Who can bring us down?” they crowed.
“I will bring you down,” declared the Lord.
When Babylonian soldiers sacked Jerusalem, the Edomites signed on to help. The prophet Obadiah warned, “Your friends will deceive and overpower you.” Sure enough, Babylon used them, then abused them; turned on them, and annihilated them.
Then it was Babylon’s turn. God said of them: “I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless” (Is 13:11).
Arrogance sent both Edom and Babylon into oblivion.
Pride, unless restrained, is terminal. Beauty, success, knowledge—even supposed humility—can implant the bacteria of egotism.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prv 16:18).
The puffed up are just a pinprick
away from popping.