Pride and Arrogance

2 Samuel 14:25-33 – 15:1-6

Verse 25 gives us a lot of information about Absalom, we will begin there; “No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.”  As you read the remainder of chapter 14, you will notice that Absalom cannot get an appointment with his dad, the King.  He can’t get Joab the kings general to see him, so he has the field of wheat that Joab owns burned and that gets Joab’s attention.  And Joab gets Absalom an appointment with King David!

Let’s look at chapter 15:1-6, “After this, Absalom got himself a chariot, horses, and 50 men to run before him. He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for settlement, Absalom called out to him and asked, “What city are you from?” If he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.” He added, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.” When a person approached to bow down to him, Absalom reached out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him. Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for a settlement. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”

Today we have an ex-president of the United States that has been accused of running a shadow government as if it was a new thing.  But as you read the verses above it is clear that Absalom was doing the same thing.  It's based on lies and deception much like what is taking place in the USA today.

I want us to compare Absalom to another created being with the same spirit and nature, his name is Lucifer.  Lucifer is depicted as a mighty but proud angel who leads a revolt against heaven.  As we explore this cherub, we see him identified as Satan or Lucifer, and his chief sins were pride, greed, and the desire for power.  In Ezekiel 28:17, “Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.
I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.”

Now you do not want to miss this point, both of these were created beings, one a man the other an angel that became proud, both wanted something that did not belong to them, pride and arrogance was their downfall.  Nothing has changed, God is the same today as then, and men and women, boys and girls are still caught in the web of pride and arrogance.   As a follower of Christ take the test in 2 Corinthians 15:5.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice