Haughtiness brings shame, humility makes shrewd
Prov 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom
Proverbs urges both outward and inward righteousness. Cf 3:34, 35 God mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honour, but fools he holds up to shame. Also 16:18, 19; 18:12.
The word for pride here is from the idea of boiling up and refers to arrogant, presumptuous people who must have their own way. Examples are legion – the Babel builders (Ge 10), Pharaoh (Ex 1-12), Miriam (No 12), Haman (Es 5-7), Nebuchadnezzar (Da 4.30), Herod Agrippa (Ac 12). All knew disgrace due to pride. One of Saul's last acts before Samuel announced his rejection was erecting a monument to himself (1 Sa 15:12). Pride brought about Satan's fall and man's. God resists the proud and shames them – if not in this life then in that to come.
The word for humility is rare, found only here and in Mi 6:8 … walk humbly with your God.
Pride leads to disgrace (shame), humility to wisdom. The sequence implied is:
1. Pride leads to folly, folly to disgrace
Proverbs urges both outward and inward righteousness. Cf 3:34, 35 God mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honour, but fools he holds up to shame. Also 16:18, 19; 18:12.
The word for pride here is from the idea of boiling up and refers to arrogant, presumptuous people who must have their own way. Examples are legion – the Babel builders (Ge 10), Pharaoh (Ex 1-12), Miriam (No 12), Haman (Es 5-7), Nebuchadnezzar (Da 4.30), Herod Agrippa (Ac 12). All knew disgrace due to pride. One of Saul's last acts before Samuel announced his rejection was erecting a monument to himself (1 Sa 15:12). Pride brought about Satan's fall and man's. God resists the proud and shames them – if not in this life then in that to come.
The word for humility is rare, found only here and in Mi 6:8 … walk humbly with your God.
Pride leads to disgrace (shame), humility to wisdom. The sequence implied is:
1. Pride leads to folly, folly to disgrace
2. Humility leads to wisdom, wisdom to honour
A rabbinic paraphrase says ‘Humble souls become full of wisdom just as low lying places become full of water.’ Guard especially against religious pride. Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and tax collector (Lk 18) teaches that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Lk 14 warns against taking the place of honour at a wedding feast and perhaps being humiliated when someone else claims it. Rather, take the lowest place. Jesus himself washed his disciples’ feet and is the supreme example of such wisdom. That is why his honour is so great. Cf Php 2.
A rabbinic paraphrase says ‘Humble souls become full of wisdom just as low lying places become full of water.’ Guard especially against religious pride. Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and tax collector (Lk 18) teaches that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Lk 14 warns against taking the place of honour at a wedding feast and perhaps being humiliated when someone else claims it. Rather, take the lowest place. Jesus himself washed his disciples’ feet and is the supreme example of such wisdom. That is why his honour is so great. Cf Php 2.
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