National Ministry Leader - Rev Greg & Ursula Matthei
3.
GUILTY
OF PRIDE
Micah challenges God’s people to
walk humbly with their God. He requires
humility but they were guilty of pride.
What is pride – putting oneself
first and upmost.
How they revealed their pride
In their
government the ruler ruled only in favor of those who gave him gifts
even if justice were cast aside; in the courtroom the judge accepted bribes
(cf. 3:11),
and the powerful (rich and influential people) got whatever they wanted.
The leaders even conspired together in taking advantage of others. Even the
best of the leaders were like a brier and worse than a thorn
hedge, entangling and injuring all who came in contact with them
Our Lord's parable about the Pharisee and publican in the temple (Luke 18:9-14) illustrates all three points. The publican was justified by faith, not by doing the kind of good works that the Pharisee boasted about. Since the publican depended on God's mercy to save him, he humbled himself before the Lord. The Pharisee, on the other hand, informed God (and whoever was listening in the temple) how good he was and therefore how much he deserved eternal life.—Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament
How are we proud today?
Psalm 131
O Lord, my
heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself
with things too great and too marvelous for me. 2 But I
have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a
weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.
God, I'm not trying to rule the roost, I don't want to be king of the mountain. I haven't meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. 2 I've kept my feet on the ground, I've cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother's arms, my soul is a baby content. 3 Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!