“Be Humble…!”

“Be Humble…!”(Prv.25:6-7).
Those who compiled the Bible were inspired to place the Book of Proverbs among the “Wisdom Literatures;” which are the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs.
The book of Proverbs is more practical than theological. Proverbs nonetheless highlights God’s work as creator. In the book, “Wisdom” is a personification of God.
Although Proverbs consider King Solomon as the author, we glean from the book itself that there are more authors to the book than Solomon. Besides, most of the proverbs seem to have originated from Africa, copied from the Instruction of Amenemope.
If that is so, then we note two things that African proverbs teaches which are common to Proverbs. Proverbs are intended to teach the young; to give “prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.” Proverbs generally refer to something else than what it says. It is in this sense that we can give an allegorical interpretation to the proverb, “Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men…” The king here is God.
Jeremiah says whoever wants to boast should boast that he understands and knows the Lord (9:24). The Lord’s brother tells us,“Humble yourselves before the Lord, ad he will lift you up.”(Jm.4:10).
Our text says do not exalt self in the presence of the king and not to claim a place among great men. “It is better for him to say to you, ‘Come up here’ than to humiliate you…”
In the same way Jesus advises that when you are invited to a function,“Do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited…” Jesus sumned up, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted”(Lk.14:7-11).
My friend, no matter how much we put in as we work out our salvation, we are still saved by grace and not by works. We belittle grace when we exalt ourselves as being architects of our salvation.
We shouldn’t be like the two brothers James and John who thought they deserved the most distinguished positions at the left and right sides of Jesus. We are not better off than the rest. This should keep us humble; because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”(Jm.4:6).
Prayer of the week: Holy Spirit teach me to be humble before the Lord (King). Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev. Babila Fochang.