Proverbs 18:12-13, The Importance of Timing
November 30, Proverbs 18:12-13
2 Corinthians 12:1-7 “Jesus said: I am meek and lowly.”
The Importance of Timing
Both proverbs refer to before and after of certain acts. Before destruction (shattering) haughtiness may control, but after humility (affliction) may come honour (vs.12). In debate it is always wise to quietly listen before answering lest after a hasty answer comes shame (reproach). These bring us face to face with what we might call the old adversaries of even the redeemed (Lk. 14:11; 1 Pet. 5:5)!
1. Presumptuous and Pompous: Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility (v.12). It may be a cliche, but it seems it cannot be stated too often that there is no true honour without true humility (Ezek. 16:49-50; Dan. 5:23-24). Those who seek glory for themselves usually react angrily when corrected. “An empty man is full of himself.” Such hate Bunyan’s Valley of Humiliation (Lk. 18:14). The truly humble person receives honour without seeking it. Is not this what we learn from our Lord Jesus? He humbled Himself to the lowest level, and God exalted Him to the highest (Phil. 2:5-11). Such humility is all too rare in this sinful world, even among the redeemed, or should that be, especially among the redeemed? Yet, as Bridges says, “That undoubtedly is the most humble spirit, that has most of the spirit of Christ.”
“Honour and fame from no condition rise:
Play well your part-there all honour lies.”
2. Prejudged and Prejudiced: He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him (v.13). It is hard to persuade the proud and prejudiced to change (Ezek. 28:2,9), and “Christians” are not much better. We are unwilling to hear out what others say when it conflicts with our opinions. “A proud man is always a fool, and a prejudiced man puts out his own eyes.” You will recall that Job’s comforters, unlike Elihu, did not really listen to his arguments. They said in effect, “Our minds are made up; don’t confuse us with facts.” Of these, Dan Ebert, in his Notes on Job, said, “They were so set in their religious dogma they were not open to further teaching. The spiritual growth of many Christians is stunted because they feel they possess all spiritual truth.” How sad, but all too often the cause of trouble! Beware of such appearances! Potiphar refused to hear Joseph’s side of “the incident with his wife.” The proud only appear smarter, and the humble may not be so simple after all. False humility abounds and is rooted in pride. Spurgeon said, “I hate, of all things, the humility that lives in the face.” God looks beyond appearances to the heart. We cannot see the heart therefore we need to use sanctified caution when assessing others. We can and should look within our own hearts, and we will find enough there to keep our own pride and prejudice in check. A true knowledge of self would save a lot of “loss of face” (Job 42:6-17)!
Thought: “Time is long enough for him who has grace enough.”
Prayer: Lord, help me learn the lesson of 1 Corinthians 4:7.