The arrogant heart is an abomination to God. Read Proverbs 16:1-6. In September, fifteen pilgrims traveled to Egypt to experience the religion and culture of the ancient Egyptians. We walked where Abraham and Jacob walked. We traveled to places that the Holy Family probably traveled. I was personally looking for a connection between the beliefs and practices of the Egyptians and those of the Hebrews. One of the connections was Judgment Day. The Egyptian people had a deep faith in their gods and an afterlife. They had a moral code. If they followed the moral code and lived a sin-free life, they would pass the test of Judgment Day. Judgment Day included the weighing of the heart, and if their heart was lighter than the feather of truth, they would receive eternal life. The imagery of the Egyptian judgment day is found in many Hebrew writings. Proverbs was written about 500 years after Moses led the people out of Egypt, yet we can still see traces of the imagery of an Egyptian judgment day. In Proverbs, God weighs the motives of a person. The heart is mentioned in several verses. We need a heart that is discerning and wise. An arrogant heart is an abomination to God and will be judged. Motives are weighed by the Lord. If the motives are sinful, judgment will not go so well. We will be punished. If our motives are guided by a wise and discerning heart, God will forgive our sins. Atonement (forgiveness of sins) comes through love and faith. As Christians, we believe that Jesus took our punishment upon himself so that we could be forgiven of our sin. When we face Judgment Day, what is the criteria for getting to heaven? Although there is a moral code for us to follow, we have failed to keep the moral code. Our only hope for eternal life is through Jesus. Through love and faith, we find forgiveness and restoration.

Prayer: Holy God, who judges us all, forgive us our sins and save us from the Day of Judgment. Amen.