The Sin of Pride

Isa 16:6 We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.

Moab's sin was pride. Although they were a small nation, they were judged because of their pride. God does not like people to be full of pride and to not honor him in all they do. The prominent movement of pride that comes to mind is "Gay pride," that which is abomination to God, some people call pride.

Ezek 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
Ezek 16:50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.

Psa 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
Psa 10:5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
Psa 10:6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

Prov 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Prov 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Prov 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Prov 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
Prov 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Isa 16:7 Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.
Isa 16:8 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.

The Moabites took great pride in their vineyards, but God used a people to break them down, and to destroy everything Moab took pride in. Even though this prophecy was given before the judgement of God, pride kept them from hearing and changing their hearts. How many do we witness to who will not hear our message, because of pride in something else. Even pride in their rebellious hearts?

Prov 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Prov 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Prov 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Jer 48:29 We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
Jer 48:30 I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it.
Jer 48:31 Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.

What do we have pride in? Is the Lord the center of all we love and do?

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.1 Cor 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.
1 Cor 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
1 Cor 16:16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
1 Cor 16:17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
1 Cor 16:18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

Isa 16:9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.

God takes no pleasure in punishing transgressors. He understands our sorrow and weeps in the spirit with us.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.
John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

The blessings of Moab were removed because of their pride and because they worshipped false gods.

Isa 16:10 And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.

No more good harvests and joyful feasts, I the LORD have caused it to cease.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Isa 16:11 Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

Bowels refers to the tender feelings and affections.

Phil 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Phil 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Phil 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

The LORD will mourn as the strings of a harp play gentle soothing music.

Isa 16:12 And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.

Moab will pray in their pagan altars and seek their own help and it will be for nothing. Just as the afflicted in our land seek the government and are critical, instead of seeking the LORD for strength and guidance.

Isa 16:13 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
Isa 16:14 But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.

Isaiah announces that the LORD had said that in three years these things would come about. They were told ahead of time so that they were without excuse if they did nothing to change their ways. Mighty Moab will be reduced in number and their land ravaged. They would be small and feeble.

Jer 48:11 Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.
Jer 48:12 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.

He gives warnings, and time to repent, but if no repentance comes he will bring His wrath. Like America, they always had their ease and were never invaded. The thought of the Moabites as being as fine wine, the longer it sits, the better it tasted, until wanderers come, probably a nomadic tribe from the east who would uproot them and destroy their vineyards. There is a mistaken idea in our land that God is only love and all is grace. Grace is towards those in Christ Jesus who follow him in obedience. We hear always of the goodness and the blessings of God, but what of his righteousness against the stubborn sins of a nation? So be the promises and wrath of God on those who will not come to him. All other paths lead to destruction.

Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.