Good morning. For those who routinely read these ‘thoughts for the day” you will have noticed my penchant for sharing stories about odd and quirky folks who have found their way into history. Today is one of those days. 
The focus today will be on a fellow who lived about 1,600 years ago, but his name continues to be known by most people, especially those of us who enjoy the weird. He is remembered by the name/title “Attila the Hun.” He lived from 406-453 and the Roman historian Priscus described him with these words: He was a man born into the world to shake the nations, the scourge of all lands, who in some way terrified all mankind by the dreadful rumors noised abroad concerning him. He was haughty in his walk, rolling his eyes hither and thither, so that the power of his proud spirit appeared in the movement of his body. He was indeed a lover of war, yet restrained in action, mighty in counsel, gracious to suppliants and lenient to those who were once received into his protection. Short of stature, with a broad chest and a large head; his eyes were small, his beard thin and sprinkled with grey; and he had a flat nose and swarthy skin, showing evidence of his origin.
If you have wondered, who were the Huns? And who hasn’t…right? Hun isn’t short for Hungarian, but for persons of the Hunnic Empire. These were nomadic people from eastern Mongolia. They were famous for their fierce attacks while riding on short and stout little horses. That was OK, because the Huns were short and stout as well. They were also famous for their appearance. At an early age, boys were encouraged to cut their faces until they were covered in scars. This was to prove that they were brave and not put off by pain. Both boys and girls, while they were young, were put to bed at night with their faces tied tightly between two boards. This served to smush their faces flat, especially their noses. Apparently, to the Huns this was extremely attractive. Personally, I wonder if those habits had anything to do with their notoriously bad attitude and temper.
Attila’s father Mundzuk was the brother of kings Octar and Ruga, who reigned jointly over the Hunnic empire and led campaigns of terror into Europe. Attila’s father went by the name/title “Mundzuk the ugly.” I can’t help but wonder what he looked like. Maybe he was ugly because his parents couldn’t figure out how to properly flatten his nose?
In addition to leading raids into Europe to loot, pillage, and burn, another of Attila’s hobbies seems to have been getting married. He had over 300 official wives, mostly of European ancestry. Marrying was his way of showing ultimate dominance over a conquered people, giving rulers the choice of losing a daughter or losing their heads. He died when he married the wrong girl. Her name was Hilda and her dad was fine with giving her up, but on the morning after their first night together Attila was found dead and Hilda was gone.
Atilla once led his horde towards Rome and was met outside the city by the Emperor who struck a bargain: 300 pounds of gold and you ride off and leave us alone. Attila accepted. He came back a couple of years later and demanded double the payment, 700 pounds of gold. When they pointed out that doubling 300 did not equal 700 it just made him angry. 700 pounds it was! You don’t need to be good at math when you have a horde of angry little men on mangy little horses behind you.
Now for the reason I feel justified in sharing some thoughts about Attila the Hun. While he was known by several flattering titles, the one that he proudly gave himself was this: “Attila, the fear of God.”
Attila had become so enamored with his exploits, so sure that he couldn’t be beaten in battle, he began to say that even God shook in fear at the mention of his name. In this, he was most certainly wrong. Romans 2:5-9 spells out the reality that includes all of mankind, including self-absorbed maniacs like Attila. But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil…
I am not suggesting that any of us are in a league with Attila the Hun, but the problem of arrogance is never far from any of us. Arrogance leads us away from the arms of God while humility leads us into His embrace. As for fear, Proverbs 9:10 tells us much of what we need to remember: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Living our lives in respect of God, recognizing the truth of forgiveness and restoration, but also the truth of arrogant disobedience, will carry us through the day.
God bless!
Vern