February 19, 2020

Which path will you choose? #

Prov. 18:12 ¶ Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

I. Path to destruction or honor (Pro 18:12) #

• There are two very distinct pathways laid out before us in this verse.

• The one path, is a well worn path, it looks like the most successful of people have traveled that path before… it looks like it is the path to success if you look at it.

  • Some people think the only way to the top is stepping on others, and promoting oneself.
  • Matter of fact, there is a well worn path, that looks well traveled.

A. Haughty heart #

1. Haughty – proud and disdainful; having a high opinion of one’s self, with some contempt for others. #

• This is loftier than just pride.

  • Pride is boastful and thinking highly of oneself… but it doesn’t necessarily think bad of others.
  • God hates pride, it is included in the list of things that God hates in Proverbs 6.
  • Haughty thinks high of self, and bad of others

2. 3 times in Proverbs (Pro 18:12) #

• Prov. 16:18 ¶ Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
• Prov. 21:24 ¶ Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

3. Haman’s haughtiness #

• Haman – the rager; tumult

• The word haughty is not found in the Book of Esther, but the attitude is clearly displayed.

Esth. 3:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

• Haman was a wicked, prideful, arrogant, and haughty man.

• He was of the descendants of Amalek, descendants of Esau, enemies of the Jews.

• 4. Haman hated Mordecai, and sought the destruction of the Jewish people! #

5. Hung! (Destruction) #

• Esth. 7:9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.

• Is. 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

• God’s Word is soo true, that he took a heathen king, a heathen man, and made the example of them.

B. Humility Heart #

1. Humility – freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s own worth. Lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one’s own unworthiness in the sight of God. #

2. 3 times in Proverbs (Proverbs 18:12) #

• Prov. 15:33 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
• Prov. 22:4 ¶ By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

3. Mordecai’s Humility #

• Keeps an eye on Esther (his cousin who he raised)

• Even when she becomes Queen…

  • Mordecai could very well have become great in the kingdom, however he doesn’t promote himself, neither does Esther (Years pass!)

• Mordecai didn’t make himself anything in the kingdom.

• Humility is a trait that is observed, not proclaimed.

• Chapter 2, he humbly, quietly saves the king!

• Esther 2:21-23

  • Mordecai is not recognized, doesn’t even bring it up…

• He didn’t promote himself, he was humble.

• In Chapter 3 he doesn’t bow to Haman, because he respects God’s law more than man’s law.

• He just continues doing his job.

4. Mordicai’s honor! #

• Esther 6:4-8, 10*

• Esther 7:10, 8:1-2, 15-16

• John Newton “Young Christians think themselves little; growing Christians think themselves nothing; full-grown Christians think themselves less than nothing.”

• It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. - Augustine

II. Hearing (Proverbs 18:13) #

A. Ahasuerus #

1. Didn’t listen (Esther 3:8-10) #

• The King wasn’t influenced by facts!
• The King was influenced by finances!
• Prov. 17:23 ¶ A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

B. Israel’s promise: #

• Gen. 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
• Foolish to allow the Jews to be destroyed in his kingdom.

C. Listen to God! #

Rev. 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rev. 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rev. 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rev. 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

• 2 ears, one mouth, twice x listening than talking