Origin of the fall: A Lenten reflection

By Artchil B. Fernandez

From heaven to earth, the origin of the fall is the same — hubris. US President Donald Trump is about to learn, or is learning, this painful biblical and historical lesson. His disastrous Iran excursion is not only puncturing his fantasy, it is giving him a hard and agonizing lesson about the downfall of his presidency and the fall of the American empire. It is the bitterest pill for him to swallow in his entire existence.

Despite being a cultic figure in evangelical Christianity, Trump was not schooled by this brand of Christianity about the downfall of Lucifer. The fall of the Morning Star is chronicled in the Old Testament books of Ezekiel (28:11-19) and Isaiah (14:12-17). The verses in Ezekiel describe Lucifer, while the verses in Isaiah tell of his fall from grace.

Ezekiel 28:11-19 speaks about the king of Tyre, but most biblical scholars and theologians believe the text also refers to Lucifer. In the passages, Lucifer is described as the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. He is in Eden, the garden of God, and every precious stone adorned him. “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you,” the text further says.

Enthralled by his perfection, beauty and wisdom, Lucifer began to desire for himself the honor and glory reserved for God. Hubris corrupted his heart, which, according to biblical scholars and theologians, is how sin entered the universe.

Lucifer’s obsessive self-importance led him to rebel against God, precipitating his downfall. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground,” Isaiah said. “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation.’” Moreover, Lucifer proclaimed, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High,” according to Isaiah. Like Icarus, Lucifer fell from heaven instead of ascending above the throne of God.

In a similar vein, Croesus, the last king of Lydia in the 5th century BC, was also full of himself. Aside from his enormous wealth, Croesus was the most powerful monarch in Asia Minor. Then he confronted the Persian Empire led by Cyrus the Great. Before attacking Persia, Croesus consulted the Oracle at Delphi. “If Croesus goes to war he will destroy a great kingdom” was the reply from the Pythia. Overconfident of his own genius, Croesus attacked Persia, lost the war, which led to the downfall of the Lydian Empire.

When Croesus questioned the Oracle at Delphi about why he was betrayed, the answer was simple. The Oracle was never wrong, for the “great kingdom” referred to by the prophecy was Lydia, not Persia. Croesus’ hubris, overconfidence and misinterpretation of the Oracle’s reply led to the end of his empire.

Two thousand five hundred years later, a Croesus-incarnate figure personified by Donald Trump attacked Persia. Trump consulted Bibi Netanyahu, not the Oracle at Delphi. The wily Netanyahu likely told Trump striking Iran (modern-day Persia) will destroy a “great country.” Will America share the fate of ancient Lydia?

Another king, five hundred years ago, also trod the path of Croesus. The Spanish Empire was at the height of its power during the reign of Philip II (1556 – 1598). In 1588, Philip II assembled the Invincible Armada, comprising 130 ships, 2,500 guns, 8,000 sailors and 20,000 soldiers, to invade England and overthrow Elizabeth I. During his time, Philip II was the most powerful monarch in Europe, reflecting the eminent status of Spain.

Consumed by religious fervor as champion of Catholicism and backed by the vast wealth and reach of the Spanish Empire, Philip II was so confident his venture or excursion into England would be a quick success. Instead, Philip II’s “The Enterprise of England” was a devastating loss, dashing forever the hope of a Catholic restoration in England. The defeat of the Invincible Armada sent shock waves across Europe, marking the decline of Spanish imperial power. Philip II was humiliated by the rout of his navy.

Philip II’s venture into England almost bankrupted Spain, leaving his empire heavily in debt. Spanish resources were massively drained, leading to Spain’s inability to defend its vast empire. On the other hand, England’s victory led to the rise of the British Empire, with England eventually becoming a global maritime power.

Whether in heaven or on earth, divine or human, a common thread connects the fall — hubris. Arrogance, grandiosity, pomposity, narcissism, cockiness, chutzpah and egomania — hubris comes in many forms, shapes and sizes. Hubris always leads to downfall.

Lucifer, Croesus, Philip II and now Trump all are cursed with hubris. Trump displays hubris every time he shows himself to the public, especially when he talks about his war with Iran. He brags that he has at his disposal the U.S. military — the greatest, most powerful in the world — which he recklessly wields to force everyone on the planet to bend the knee. He assumes there is no limit to what he can do or to his power.

Trump, possessed with hubris, imagines himself as the king of the world. He is no different from Lucifer, who thought he towered above everyone and was no longer answerable to the Creator. In Trump’s case, he believes he is no longer accountable to the people who gave him power. Like Lucifer, Croesus or Philip II, Trump is about to discover the price of hubris. Trump, like Lucifer, Croesus or Philip II, will only find out too late the cost of hubris once the consequences are upon him.

Proverbs 16:18 clearly warns. Hubris, or “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” In this Lenten season, hubris and its antidote, humility, should be the focus of reflection and meditation. Pray that one does not yield to the temptation of hubris.