Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5
We know pride is bad. We don’t like it when others appear proud. We reserve a heightened disgust for people that act like this, and from this text, we know that God feels the same way. His abhorrence of pride could be defined as hate coupled with disgust. Some examples from the Old Testament include the disgust that the Egyptians had for the Israelites (Genesis 43:32), how the Children of Israel looked at “unclean” foods (Leviticus 11:11), God’s view of idolatrous activities including burning children to Molech (Deuteronomy 12:5). The gods of the Sidonians, Moabites and Ammon were called abominations (2 Kings 23:13). I think you get the idea.
The root of pride is idolatry and this is why it is linked to the abominations of the kingdoms of
Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have one. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:4-5
The proud have turned aside to false gods including many times themselves. Moreover, the psalmist tells us that this is done in the face of God’s revelation of Himself – in the face of uncountable wonders! Is it any wonder that God is angry with this?
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