"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."
Proverbs 11:2
Part 2
Yesterday:
“When pride cometh.”
Pride always does an ugly work in people’s lives, whether they tolerate it or seek it, it eventually wrecks them.
“Then cometh shame.”
There is something that is always following, trailing, slinking after the arrogant. It is shame, and God will see to it that humiliation will ultimately find the proud in heart.
Today:
“But with the lowly is wisdom.”
Wisdom is an excellent contrast to the arrogance of the proud. They are the lowly, those who are modest and humble.[1] What is it that these “lowly” people know? Solomon says that the lowly have wisdom. They understand what humility is. This is how they live. They have gained their understanding from the LORD.
“Lowly souls become full of wisdom as the low place becomes full of water”[2] (Barnes).
“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
“The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him, and he will shew them his covenant” (Psalm 25:14).
Unfortunately for the arrogant, they have no time for the LORD, and will not listen to Him. They think they do not need Him or anyone else. They are quick to take credit for their works. They are “self-made men/women.”
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
They just keep falling.
The humble ones know that without God, they are hopeless and helpless. They look to Him for their “daily bread,” and all other needs. They know that their very lives belong to Him, and they acknowledge His working in their lives every day. This is wisdom!
Quote: “They that know God will be humble, and they that know themselves cannot be proud”[3] (John Flavel).
[1] See Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Albert Barnes quoting the rabbinic paraphrase of the second part of the verse. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] Quoted in Moody Bible Institute’s, “Today in The Word,” November 1989, p. 20. Downloaded: June 5, 2020.
From: https://bible.org/illustration/cannot-be-proud.