Week 17: Caught in the Act



Isaiah 2:11 English Standard Version (ESV)

11 The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,
    and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,
and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.




   The word "haughty", according to old-school Webster, is disdainful, proud, snobby, and arrogant. Although it comes with a good measure of lofty and noble thrown in. When Isaiah brings up "The haughty looks of man", I think this means that man as a whole feels this way about who we are or can be. If we look at society at large we can see this. Stretching further back even than our comparatively recent Industrial Revolution, we can see this throughout history.  A great biblical example is found in Genesis 11:1-9 with the building of the Tower of Babel. Lofty indeed.

   Bringing it back to us moderns, we are endlessly touting our accomplishments, our place in the cosmos, (although admittedly, some see this as humbling), and how only easily manipulated religions or New Age philosophies are worth following. We see it in our relativistic morals of no absolute right and wrong. And our only truth is whatever the media says it is for the day.

   But in that day, the Lord, The Lord alone, says Isaiah, will be exalted. In that day man will be confronted with true Truth and haughtiness will flee. I doubt it will be replaced with shame, but fear and dread. Of being caught in the act. Fortunately in his goodness and patience, He is waiting for each and every one who will answer His call to repentance. And woe to those who don't.

  

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