Pride Won't Do

Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong. [Job 6.24]

If we read Job's story with the end, as we know it, in mind, we might just see some of the attitudes in Job that eventually secured his rebuke by God.

As appropriate a statement as Job 6.24 is standing alone, I think this verse is one of those revealing statements made by Job for which later he would need to repent.

The context of this verse is not one of humility. Job is not genuinely asking for knowledge or instruction. Instead, Job is proudly challenging his friends to prove his guilt.

I am going to point out three Bible passages that present a problem to Job's obvious attitude:

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. [Psalm 51.17]

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. [Isaiah 57.15]

My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word. [Isaiah 66.2]

While we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of God, I will never concede that humility has no place in that approach!

May the Word help us to understand that God remains God and, as such, is superior to us in every way.

Father, I want to consider pride in my life as the greatest roadblock to relationship with You. Forgive me for pride and arrogance.