In the book of Proverbs we have wealth of instruction, which if given heed to would set our feet in the ways of uprightness and truth. Its precepts are life giving and overflowing with the wisdom that is from above. The pithy sayings of the wise man should warn us of the many dangers to which we are exposed and should direct us into the right way in which we should walk. The statements of truth brought before us in this book are truths that we would do well to give heed to.
“Before destruction”, Solomon says, “the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.” What teaching there is for us in this one proverb! What a wealth of meaning! Set over against one another, the meaning of both parts of the proverb is brought out all the more clearly. How forcibly are pride and humility, and destruction and honour contrasted.
The lifting up of the soul of man in pride is never a hopeful sign. The whole teaching of Scripture concerning man as fallen, sinful and depraved is fitted to destroy pride in man, as is the revelation of the mercy of God in Christ towards man. “What is man.” the Psalmist says, “that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?” In his day Isaiah had to say: “Surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth.” In contrast to this Isaiah says, “but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Where, then, is there room for pride? Yet so perverse is the heart of man that he will give place to pride. Self-exaltation is native to fallen depravity. Only grace can root it out. Yet even where grace is, if that grace is not in exercise then horrid pride will raise its ugly head. Pride was the sin that brought Lucifer, Son of the morning, from his high place. It was pride that brought Nebuchadnezzar down so low that he ate grass like an ox and was shut out from human society. It was pride that occasioned the fall of our first parents — “Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” That pride is to lead on to destruction, if not repented of, is clear from that word — “the proud He knoweth afar off.” This sin of pride is particularly obnoxious to God. He tells us in this same book of Proverbs that “every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord.” A proud look is listed as one of the things that the Lord hates. The Lord speaks of a time when “the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of man shall be bowed down.” The end then is certain. This is then an established law that “before destruction the heart of man is haughty.” In the light of this truth what need there is for us to seek grace that we may humble ourselves before the Lord.
Pride, on the one hand, is almost universal — and is universal so far as fallen man is concerned. Humility on the other hand is rare. It cannot be found except where grace is found. It is a Christ-like grace. “I am meek and lowly in heart.” It beautifies the soul as no other grace can. It does so because it exalts Christ most. It enables the sinner to take that place which is his. It is not easily imitated, and, where imitated is easily detected. It shines forth from its possessor all unknown to him or to her. It is perfectly consistent with a felt sense of insincerity and pride. Where this grace is, as is true also of the other graces, there will be a desire to put on more grace. The living soul will never say, I have come too low, but rather, Oh, that I might be emptied and take my rightful place in the dust. The truly humble in spirit say with Mephibosheth, “What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” — and mean it!
Saul feigned humility before he was made king and afterwards his pride was revealed and his destruction came in the end. David, on the other hand, was humble. He did not need to feign it. “A man after mine own heart”, the Lord said of him. Enoch and Noah were humble men for they walked with God and it is not possible to walk with God in pride. Jonathan was a humble man. He was willing to take the low place. He said to David, “Thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee.” What condescension in one who according to the natural order should be king himself. Grace had made him lowly and humble. David’s triumph over Goliath did not raise Jonathan’s jealousy as it did Saul’s, but knit his heart to David in whom he saw the grace of God manifested.
“Before honour is humility.” So it was in David’s case. How highly the Lord raised him. He took him from following the sheep to be ruler over His people Israel. “Them that honour me, I will honour.” They honour the Lord most, who are least in their own eyes. Such have no sympathy with the spirit of Jehu. “Come, see my zeal for the Lord of hosts.” They are rather of those who have to say, “Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee drink? Or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?” — and to whom the Lord shall say, “Verily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it into Me.” These shall hear the invitation, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” What greater honour could be given them, than to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb? Before that honour is humility.
Never did the grace of humility shine forth so brilliantly as it did in the One who said: “Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” What an emptying of Himself there was in Him “who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took on Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Is it any wonder then that the One who came so low should be raised so high? Is it not perfectly in accord with this dictum of God’s Word — that before honour is humility? Surely it is, therefore we go on to read: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
When the corn is nearly ripe it bows the head and stoops lower than when it was green. When the people of God are near ripe for heaven, they grow more humble and self-denying . . . Paul had one foot in heaven when he called himself the chiefest of sinners and least of saints. John Flavel
Humility is a strange flower; it grows best in winter weather, and under storms of affliction. Samuel Rutherford
Perfect holiness is the aim of saints on earth, and it is the reward of the saints in heaven. Joseph Caryl
As God did not at first choose you because you were high, so He will not forsake you because you are low. John Flavel