I Samuel 14:11
‘When both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines, the Philistines said, “Behold, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.”’
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). The Philistines were Israel’s enemy. They had been in many conflicts with them. This was Saul’s first battle as king. Israel had been on the defense. They were overwhelmed with the amount of soldiers and the modern equipment of their opponent.
This verse shows the overconfidence of the Philistines. They had reasons to be for the reasons stated. Confidence is important, but the risk is pride. The proverb quoted says that pride goes before destruction. How are pride and confidence different? Confidence accurately sees oneself and circumstance, while pride has an overinflated view of self.
The arrogant use boasting as a weapon. They are trying to intimidate with their words. We can all recall the discomfort of being around a braggart. We don’t feel safe.
The bible speaks down on pride and arrogance. Proverbs 6:17 says that one of the things God hates are haughty eyes. Why is that? Our gaze is how we choose to present ourselves to others. It could be kind, cold or anything in between. A haughty look is at least projecting strength, but even more. It sends the message “I own you. Don’t even try anything.”
The Lord comes to us in the exact opposite manner. He knows we are frightened, so He doesn’t want to scare us. Isaiah 40:11 puts it this way, “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes”.
Pride is found is one who is insecure at the core. That one feels unsafe, therefore the need to strike out at others. Their whole life is a battle. They proceed on the offense. It would be sad if it weren’t for the damage that they do to others. They act as a steam roller flattening everything in their path.
We all may have some tendencies to self protect, thus striking out at others. David understood this. That’s why he would pray this prayer in Psalm 139:23,24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts, And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” We can have hurtful ways in us. They could cause harm to us or others.
The Lord wants to heal those hurting parts in us. He does this for our sake and for others. It’s been said that “Hurt people hurt people”. The Lord wants to interrupt that cycle. He wants to heal us and wants us to be agents of healing.
Lord, thank You for Your wonderful example of gentleness. Thank You for Your healing and how You wants us to help others. Arrogance seeks to dominate others. Lord, may You remove those parts of us.