When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem he will punish the arrogant boasting of the king of Assyria and his haughty pride. For he says: "By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I have removed the boundaries of peoples, and have plundered their treasures; like a bull I have brought down those who sat on thrones. My hand has found like a nest the wealth of the peoples; and as men gather eggs that have been forsaken so I have gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved a wing, or opened the mouth, or chirped." Shall the axe vaunt itself over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood! Therefore the Lord, the LORD of hosts, will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors, and under his glory a burning will be kindled, like the burning of fire. The light of Israel will become a fire, and his Holy One a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and briers in one day. The glory of his forest and of his fruitful land the LORD will destroy, both soul and body, and it will be as when a sick man wastes away. The remnant of the trees of his forest will be so few that a child can write them down. In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean upon him that smote them, but will lean upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
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| The proud will fall, just like this poor guy! photo by Mike Hoff, used under the creative commons license check out more photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crashmaster/ |
The King of Assyria thought that everything he accomplished, he did by his own power and strength. He believed that he was the greatest in the earth and it was because of his great skill that all other nations were subservient to him. While it is true that he did accomplish all that he did and that nations did serve him, the King of Assyria did not realize that he was a tool in the Hand of the Lord. How foolish for a mere tool to boast of his own greatness when it is the skill of the One who yields it that should be praised. For though the King of Assyria did not realize that it was the Lord who directed his paths to accomplish His own will.
The King of Assyria should have remained humble as he ruled, then judgment would not have been meted out to him. I am reminded of the coronation ceremony given to the emperors of Byzantium. He is handed a royal crown for his head and a bad of dust for his hands. Yes, he may rule but he must remember that he is mortal and will return to dust someday like every other man. It is the humble ruler who pleases God.
O Lord, in my life today, let me be humble. Yes, I don't rule any lands nor do I yield great power. Yet, I live in a land of plenty and could be given to pride for any number of reasons. Help me to keep a humble spirit for surely You rule and You reign. Happy is the man who knows that! Amen.
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