Day 72: The blessing of humility - Proverbs 3 vs 27 to 35
27-28 Don't withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbour now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
29-30 Don’t plot harm against your neighbour, for those who live nearby trust you. Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm.
31-32 Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly. 33-34 The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright. The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. 35 The wise inherit honour, but fools are put to shame! Proverbs 3:27-35 New Living Translation
Having told his son that the most important thing in life is wisdom, and that true wisdom begins when we have a right relationship with God – the father starts to put it into practical everyday life situations. Sometimes he gives his teaching in the form of two opposites (as in vs 33-34) to show the contrast and different outcome of the way of wisdom to the way of folly. What do you think vs 27-28 tell us about human nature, yes, even our own hearts?
I think it shows that we can be stingy with our possessions and our time. It also shows that people tend to put off things they know they should be doing - like praying, and time with the Lord. A wise person will make the effort to do what is most important and not put such things aside because they may be difficult or costly. What sort of person then comes to your mind in vs 29-30?
It made me think of people who are quick to find fault in others and pick an argument. In contrast to this the New Testament writer James describes what God's wisdom is like. He says:“The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds and shows no favouritism and is always sincere. Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18.
Vs 31-34 contrast what the Lord thinks of violent people who delight in doing wrong and mock His ways - with how He responds to those humbly seek righteousness. Jesus brings this home very powerfully in what is often called 'the sermon on the mount'. He said: “Blessed are the meek - for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful - for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5: 5-7.
A key word in all of this is the word 'humble' - or the word Jesus used, ‘meek’. The phrase “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (vs 34) is quoted in both James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 in the New Testament. James uses it in the sense of not running after the things of the world – and trampling over people to get to the top – but rather to trust in God and be content with what His grace supplies. Peter uses it to urge younger people in the Church to respect the Church Elders and not proudly think they know better.
People sometimes fear that humility will lead to being taken advantage of. But Peter says: “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Humility is when, instead of being full of ourselves, we seek to be full of Christ. And God takes special care of those who humble themselves.