Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath (Proverbs 21:24).
The anger of a proud man is very fierce. When he meets with the smallest shadow of an affront or provocation, his passions are on fire, and his vengeance must be satiated, be the consequence what it will. He would have every man to do him homage, and when his opinion is contradicted, or his humour not complied with, he rageth like a tempest, which threatens to spread desolation and ruin. Such was the proud wrath of Haman, which could not be glutted with the blood of Mordecai alone, but thirsted after the blood of a whole nation.
What does the proud worm design by all this fury? It is his honour that set him in a flame. He thinks highly of himself, and cannot bear the thought that another man has not the same deference for him which he has for himself. To repair the fancied attacks upon his honour, he gives way to revenge, and seeks the reputation of a man of honour and spirit, but he disappoints his own views, and meets disgrace, when he is hunting for praise. He shall be called a proud man, and that is a character so base, that a proud man cannot bear it, for pride seeks to hide itself under any covert rather than be seen. He shall be called a haughty scorner, for he puffeth at his enemies, and pours contempt upon his reprovers. Now a haughty scorner is a very hateful character, for the scorner is an abomination among men.
Haman the Agagite, and Uzziah king of Judah, have brought great dishonour upon their memories by their proud wrath. Moses and Job, are men of glorious memory, for their humility and meekness. The godly man is not ambitious of praise, but he receives honour from God. The proud man cannot live without houour and applause, and his ambition and pride load his name and memory with contempt.
Excerpt from “Exposition of the Book of Proverbs” by George Lawson.
