The Subtle Sin of Pride

5/11/26 Bible Thought (Isaiah 36-37)

Main Idea: Pride takes credit for the blessings and work of God.

A Look at the Text:

The narrative accounts continue in today’s passage. Here, we see the life of Hezekiah, one of the kings of Judah in Isaiah’s day, come to an end. After miraculous deliverance from the angel of the Lord in yesterday’s passage, we see that another problem came knocking on Hezekiah’s door—he got incredibly sick.

As a result, the Lord spoke through His prophet that Hezekiah needed to set his house in order, for he would surely die (Isa. 38:1). Yet, Hezekiah again pleaded for the mercy of God and was spared.

Sadly, though, after Hezekiah was healed, he faltered in his last days.

Fifteen years were added to Hezekiah’s life, and in that span of time, he welcomed Babylonian envoys, boasting in his great possessions. As a result, Isaiah pronounced that a day was coming when the Babylonians would empty those very treasures (Isa. 39:6).

While Isaiah doesn’t define the root of the problem, merely its consequence, the Chronicler reveals to us that in his last days, Hezekiah did have issues with pride (2 Chr. 32:24-33).

Presumably, then, Hezekiah showcasing all of his riches before the Babylonians was an act of pride. It was boasting in what he had accomplished, rather than appropriately giving God the glory as Provider. As a result, the same God who gave so freely would also take away.

Bringing it Home:

The end of Hezekiah’s rule is certainly a sobering thing. He is known as one of the most righteous kings during the divided kingdom and is a model in many ways, but his rule ended poorly. His folly teaches us a few things.

For one, we must always be diligent to guard our hearts (Pro. 4:23) and take heed lest we fall ourselves (1 Cor. 10:12). No man or woman is beyond wrecking their reputation with an act of sinful stupidity. The fall of great leaders should humble us and cause us to take stock of our own lives.

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12)

Secondly, and most importantly, the fall of great leaders reminds us that there is but One that we can put our hope in. People will always disappoint us if they are the grounds for our hope. This is the tale of the divided kingdom.

Truly, every king pointed to the need for another, a better. One who would perfectly follow the Father’s will and who would never fail. The only One who would never disappoint—Jesus Christ.

All our hope and all our boast must be found in Him.

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Challenge:

Do I ever take credit for the blessings of God in my life that, truth be told, are gifts I have received?