The prophet then predicts the desolation of Moab on account of its pride, which seems to have been its peculiar offence.  It is to be noted that the sin of pride has ever called forth a severe judgment.  “It goeth before destruction.”  Pride was one of the peculiarities of both Nineveh and Babylon.  But that which is exalted shall be brought low.  A bitter humiliation, at least, has ever been visited upon those who have arrogated a lofty superiority.  It presupposes an independence utterly inconsistent with the real condition of men in the eyes of the Omnipotent; in the eyes of men, even, it is offensive in the extreme, and ends in isolation.  We can tolerate certain great defects and weaknesses, but no one ever got reconciled to pride.  It led to the ruin of Napoleon, as well as of Caesar; it creates innumerable enemies, even in the most retired village; it separates and alienates families; and when the punishment for it comes, everybody rejoices.  People say contemptuously, “Is this the man that made the earth to tremble?” There is seldom pity for a fallen greatness that rejoiced in its strength, and despised the weakness of the unfortunate.  If anything is foreign to the spirit of Christianity it is boastful pride, and yet it is one of those things which it is difficult for conscience to reach, as it is generally baptized with the name of self-respect.

The next woe which Isaiah denounced was on Egypt, which had played so great a part in the history of ancient nations.  The judgments sent on this civilized country were severe, but were not so appalling as those to be visited upon Babylon.  With Egypt was included Ethiopia.  Civil war should desolate both nations, and it should rage so fiercely that “every one should fight against his brother, and every one against his neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.”  Moreover, the famed wisdom of Egypt should fail; the people in their distress should seek to gain direction from wizards and charmers and soothsayers.  It always was a country of magicians, from the time that Aaron’s rod swallowed up the rods of those boastful enchanters who sought to repeat his miracles; it was a country of soothsayers and sorcerers when finally conquered by the Romans; it was the fruitful land of religious superstitions in every age.  It was governed in the earliest times by pagan priests; the early kings were priests,—­even Moses and Joseph were initiated into the occult arts of the priests.  It was not wholly given to idolatry, since it is supposed that there was an esoteric wisdom among the higher priests which held to the One Supreme God and the immortality of the soul, as well as to future rewards and punishments.  Nevertheless, the disgusting ceremonies connected with the worship of animals were far below the level of true religion, and the sorceries and magical incantations and superstitious rites which kept the people in ignorance, bondage, and degradation called loudly for rebuke.  By reason