“I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.” (Isaiah 13:11)
Early in July Russia’s Nikita Khrushchev received a visitor in Moscow, U. S. Wartime Ambassador to Russia, Mr. W. Averall Harriman. The conversation that ensued in this informal meeting was thickly sprinkled with boasts, threats and cynicism. Khrushchev was filled with pride and confidence, and his manner of speech, completely uninhibited. Seldom has a statesman in his position ever so freely given in to his own feelings before an unofficial visit from a foreign ambassador. It was apparent from what Khrushchev revealed at this meeting that the Geneva talks, as far as Russia was concerned, was to be a completely one sided affair. If there was to be any yielding, it must come from the west. For, Gromyko was actually given no power other than to state Khrushchev’s firm position on the German question. Russia’s premier told Harriman, Gromyko only says what we tell him to say. At the next Geneva meeting he will repeat what he has already told you. If he doesn’t, we will fire him and get someone who does. It is apparent that the Geneva talks, which on some occasions almost reduced themselves to altercations, were doomed to failure.
Khrushchev then boasted that, “in five to seven years we will be stronger than you. We developed the hydrogen bomb before you. Our rockets carry warheads many times larger than yours.” This boasting, in perilous times such as these, seemed quite unbecoming to one in Khrushchev’s position. To attempt to settle world problems by threatening (in the guise of bragging) bespeaks a mind that is beside itself. He then turned his anger towards the West and West Berlin, menacing them openly. “Your generals talk of maintaining your position by force. That is a bluff. If you send in tanks, they will burn. If you want war, you can have it, but it will be your war. Our rockets will fly automatically.” Can it be that this bristling confidence is founded on fact? It is impossible to state just how far Russia has progressed in her rocketry, and inter-continental ballistic missiles program.
Whether Khrushchev be the latter day king of the north or not, the disposition characterizing each is the same. In Ezekiel 38 :10-12, the prophet depicts the evil thoughts that are to originate in the mind of the northern monarch, and the intent for which he sweeps down towards Egypt. “Thus saith the Lord God ; it shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shall say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, to take a spoil, and to take a prey ; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people, that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.” The eyes of Russia are upon Asia and Europe, and her dream is to some day rule the world. The pride and arrogancy evidenced by this great power today is similar to that of another of Israel’s enemies in the past, ancient Babylon.
The basis of Babylon’s consummation lay in her pride, as revealed by the prophet in Isa. 13 :11 ; “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.” Babylon was strong, powerful, overbearing and cruel. She had gone beyond the limits set by Almighty God in the captivity of His people, and had boasted in her own might. But the mighty nation was to be brought low, so low, indeed, that she never again was to rise. God had selected an individual that would be responsible for the destruction of Baby-Ion; a Gentile that was to pre-figure Christ in His role as Israel’s redeemer. Cyrus was the only Gentile that was used as a figure of the Messiah, and bear the Messianic title of the “anointed”. In Isa. 44 :28, the prophet declares, “That saith of Cyrus, he is my Shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure : even saying to Jerusalem, thou shalt be built ; and to the temple, thy foundation shall be laid.” In the next verse he is addressed as God’s “anointed”. Thus, in Israel’s greatest crisis, when he was about to perish under the continual stroke of his captor, Cyrus was raised up by God to save him.
In these last days, the Lord’s people patiently await the return of Christ who will muster the forces of God, again in the midst of Israel’s crisis ,and deliver His people a second time.
The similarity existing between Babylon and Russia concerning their proud and boasting attitude is striking. The Lord brought Babylon to her knees because of her arrogancy, and He will surely punish the high ones of the earth for their pride. As Solomon declared, “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord,” (Prov. 16:5). Isaiah, likewise speaks of the abasement that the wicked will experience when the Lord’s house is established in the tops of the mountains, and when His law shall go forth from Mt. Zion to all regions of the earth; “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. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up ; and he shall be brought low.” (Isa. 2:11-12)
The children of God on the other hand must exercise always the spirit and disposition of Christ. “But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isa. 66:2
This humble attitude is the most important characteristic of the children of God, and must be pronounced in their association with the world, as it was in their Master. The way of the world is in the exact opposite direction, for it is not a popular thing to be reserved, quiet and meek. But then, the friendship of the world is at enmity with God, and we are told that whosoever will be a friend to the world (by his participation in its aims and pleasures) is the enemy of God. (Amos 4.4). There is a time coming, when those who have humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God, will be exalted. (1 Peter 5:6) Isaiah supplies us with a fitting conclusion to the contrast we find between the world and those who have separated themselves to God.
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit ,to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One