Humility and Pride: Proverbs and Examples from the Old Testament

One of the great paradoxes of the Christian life involves humility, pride, and their results. The more one humbles himself, the more honor he receives, something he does not seek. Likewise, the more one values himself over others, the less honor he receives, the very honor he craves so much.

The book of Proverbs paints this picture of how God views humility and pride.

Pride begins in the heart, an abomination to the Lord (Prov 16:5; 21:4). The Lord hates arrogance and pride (Prov 8:13). He even hates the haughty eyes through which the proud see themselves and the world—these eyes are abomination and sin (Prov 6:16–19; 21:4; 30:13).

Pride can be found with lies, evil, wickedness, carelessness, and a perverted mouth (Prov 6:16–19; 14:16). The proud man is a fool who stirs up strife among his brothers (Prov 6:19; 28:25).

While pride and pushy ways might win some temporary gains (Prov 16:19), the Lord will tear down the house of the proud (Prov 15:25). Whatever his name may be, God calls him “Proud,” “Haughty,” and “Scoffer” for acting with insolent pride (Prov 21:24). The proud man will stumble and be brought low and ultimately be punished and destroyed (Prov 16:5, 18; 18:12; 29:23).

On the other hand, the humble man fears the Lord and hates evil (Prov 8:13). He sees evil in advance, takes warning, and turns the other way (Prov 14:16). He prizes humility, even at the cost of earthly goods (Prov 16:19). As a reward, his fear of the Lord brings honor and wisdom, prosperity and protection, and life itself—a life of living with God, in the present and forever (Prov 11:2; 15:25; 18:12; 22:4; 28:25; 29:23).

Multiple narratives give specific examples for what Proverbs generally describes above. The proud Pharaoh exalted himself against Israel refused to humble himself before God (Exod 9:17; 10:3). God repeatedly humbled Pharaoh through plagues and a crushing military loss (Exod 7–14).

Similarly, Ahaz, Amon, and Zedekiah were uncontrolled and unfaithful, refusing to humble themselves before God or His prophets (2 Chron 28:19; 33:23; 36:12). God punished them with defeat and distress, death by assassination, and the destruction of the temple (2 Chron 28:20–25; 33:23–25; 36:18–21).

Likewise in Daniel’s days, God punished Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar for their pride. The father became like an animal but returned to sanity when he humbled himself before God (Dan 4:30–31; 5:18–21). Belshazzar exalted himself before God without remedy, however, and was slain on the day his pride was condemned (Dan 5:22–31).

Finally, the prophets condemned the kings of Babylon and Tyre for lifting their hearts up against God (Isa 14:13–15; Ezek 29:2, 5–6, 17). Their downfall would be terrifying and public (Isa 14:16–21; Ezek 28:17–19).

On the other hand, humility resulted in blessing from God. Israel’s repentance and humility would bring forgiveness and healing for the land (2 Chr 7:14). The righteous Hezekiah and Josiah experienced deliverance and peace as they humbled themselves before God (2 Chron 32:26; 34:27–28; 1 Kgs 21:29). Even the wicked Reheboam, Manasseh, and Ahab experienced a measure of rest form their enemies as they humbled themselves before God (2 Chron 12:6–7, 12; 33:10–13; 1 Kgs 21:29).

Though the above focuses primarily in the Old Testament, we briefly remind ourselves that we see true humility in Christ. He left the glories of heaven above to take on human flesh and that to die obediently for us, even death on a cross (Phil 2:5–8). The Father exalted Him as Lord above all (Phil 2:9–11), and His humility is the model for God commands us to imitate today (Phil 2:1–5). As we humble ourselves before God, He will exalt us one day (Matt 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14; James 4:6, 10; 1 Peter 5:6; cf. Prov 3:34).

May God help us to put these words into our hearts so that we do not lift our hearts up against Him. As we look to Christ and live like Him, may His humility be seen in us.

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David Huffstutler is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Troy, MI. He blogs here, where this article also appeared. It is published here by permission.

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