Isaiah 16:6
6 We have heard [shama`] of the
pride [ga'own] of Moab [Mow'ab]; he is very [ma`od] proud [ge']: even of his haughtiness [ga`avah], and his pride [ga'own],
and his wrath [`ebrah]: but his lies [bad] shall not be so. KJV-Interlinear
6 We have heard of the pride of
Moab, an excessive pride; Even of his arrogance, pride, and fury; His idle
boasts are false. NASB
The principle attribute
of pride or arrogance, is that it will reject the counsel of truth. We have already seen how Moab was warned to
turn its attention to the Lord, to pay the required tribute, to give shelter to
Gods people, but Moab, being symbolic of an arrogant people, will disregard
this advice in the final days of history, and the result of that rejection will
be their destruction.
The phrase, very proud,
indicates that the people are pretty set in their ways. They are comfortable with the way they think
and act and see nothing wrong with their chosen lifestyle or beliefs.
The result of their arrogance
puts them in a place where they will reject not only any and all truth, but
they will become antagonistic, resentful, and defensive toward anyone who even
considers giving them advice.
Any advice is met with
indifference or indignation. In short
they are unteachable and unwilling to learn, and unwilling to change.
This of course is in
the face of all of the overwhelming disasters that will be occurring throughout
the world in those fateful final days of history.
Most normal people
would begin to question the hows and whys of worldwide disaster, especially
when it is so dramatic, as it will be in the Tribulation, but not the arrogant
people of that era.
This also gives us some
insight as to the extreme degree of arrogance and apostasy that will exist throughout
society even in the very latter days of our own dispensation. Remember that people do not become arrogant
overnight. That is something that
develops throughout their life. But at
the Rapture, there will be only seven years remaining in history, and during
those seven years, recall our study in Revelation where nearly the entire
population of the world will die.
Something that is certain to get the attention of people. Not to mention that the disasters throughout
those years will far exceed anything that has ever occurred in history.
And so when a people face
such extremes and refuse to even consider that they might need to change their
beliefs, is beyond well entrenched arrogance.
In addition, they will even get angry if their way of life is
challenged, clinging to the lies of life that they have adopted for themselves.
And remember too, that
for the most part, those people will live the greater portions of their lives during
our current dispensation, giving us a pretty clear picture of what society in general
will be like when that time arrives.
And so it is for anyone
who does not follow the mandates that are set forth in the scriptures. The Bible sets out the foundation and
framework for truth, and gives understanding and discernment so a person can
see the difference between the truths and lies of life.
Arrogance, exists when
a person is indifferent toward Gods mandates, chooses against them in
preference for what they already believe, never considering that they just
might be wrong, and far worse, not considering that their failure to engage in
a daily study under instruction, is the strongest evidence and testimony
against their entrenched beliefs. They
fail to see their own flaws. Far too
many claim to be spiritual, but their actions do not support their claim.
But their lies shall
not stand. And that is the bottom line
and epitaph of their life.
Indifferent toward
truth, entrenched in their own views, rejecting and indignant toward anyone who
disagrees with them, these are the attributes of an inflexible and spiritually
negative person, who is heading toward certain doom. And, they do it all to themselves.
