To Acquire Wisdom, We Must Be Humble

Notes on Proverbs

Humility is necessary in order to acquire wisdom. “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom” (11:2). As wisdom comes from instruction and understanding, we must be humble enough to admit our own lack of wisdom and the need to pursue it. Without humility, we will not believe we need wisdom and will, therefore, ignore it.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (3:5-7).

When we possess humility, we will understand that there are answers we do not have and guidance that we need. Therefore, we will not “lean on [our] own understanding” or “be wise in [our] own eyes.” We will seek guidance and be open to instruction. However, it is important that we get the right guidance. So Solomon says we must put our trust in the Lord. Many today put their trust in parents, professors, or preachers to lead them in the paths of wisdom. While we may certainly be helped by the instruction of others (11:14; 15:22; 24:6), it is only when such instruction is in harmony with the wisdom that comes from above that it will do us any good. Therefore, our trust is not in others who might teach us, but in the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility” (15:33).

Elsewhere Solomon writes, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (9:10). The second part of this verse tells us that humility is a precursor for honor. Earlier, the wise man says, “The wise will inherit honor” (3:35). Honor is one of the rewards of wisdom. The fact that humility comes before honor tells us that humility is necessary in order to acquire wisdom.

He who conceals his transgression will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion” (28:13).

Confession of wrongdoing is an act of humility. In order to confess, one must be humble enough to acknowledge his sin and admit it to others. One who tries to hide his sin demonstrates a lack of humility that will keep him in his sin and on the path of wickedness. One with the humility to confess and forsake his sin will find himself on the path that leads to wisdom.

Surely I am more stupid than any man, and I do not have the understanding of a man. Neither have I learned wisdom, nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know! Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him” (30:2-5).

This is the beginning of “the words of Agur” (30:1). He starts with a bit of hyperbole, saying he is “more stupid than any man.” His point is that he was humble and not trusting in himself for wisdom or understanding. He then acknowledges the greatness of God in creating and sustaining the earth. Because there was no one greater than God, he put his trust in Him and His word. Even though he was “more stupid than any man,” he was not going to be content in putting his trust in another man who was wiser and more knowledgeable than he was. Only God’s words are tested and are able to protect us from the perils of wickedness. Therefore, we must “take refuge in Him.

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As humility leads to wisdom and honor, pride leads to destruction.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud” (16:18-19).

Pride leads to one’s downfall. Elsewhere, Solomon adds to this thought: “But humility goes before honor” (18:12; cf. 29:23). This is why he says, “It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly.” In the long term, it is better to be humble in order to later be exalted (cf. 1 Peter 5:5-6). However, most people tend to be shortsighted and look at the immediate “spoil” that is associated with “the proud.” So they arrogantly follow the path of instant gratification. Yet in the end, as they have rejected divine wisdom, they will stumble and ultimately be destroyed.

There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (14:12).

The one who is puffed up with pride trusts in his own way. He rejects instruction because he does not believe that he needs it. He is unwilling to change his thinking or his direction. Jeremiah said, “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). This is true for all men of all time. Without learning of God and His ways, we cannot find the way of life. When we reject the wisdom that comes from above, no matter what other direction we take, we will be on a path that leads to death (cf. 16:25).

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (26:12).

The one who is “wise in his own eyes” is the one who has rejected divine wisdom for the “way which seems right” to him (14:12; 16:25). He is contrasted with the fool in this passage. Therefore, we must understand the “fool” of this verse to be one who simply lacks wisdom, not one who has rejected wisdom. Because he only lacks wisdom, there is hope for him that if he can receive the right instruction, he can acquire wisdom. However, one who is “wise in his own eyes,” in his arrogance, sees no need to listen, learn, or acquire godly wisdom, even though his deficiency of wisdom will be apparent to others. Solomon offers two examples to illustrate this point. “The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a discreet answer” (26:16). Though the impoverished and miserable condition of the sluggard is apparent to those who know him, in his arrogance he cannot see the need to change anything about his life. “The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor who has understanding sees through him” (28:11). The rich man of this verse is not a righteous man who happens to be blessed with riches. It is a rich man who puts his trust in riches. Though he may believe that he is fully self-sufficient and his prosperity is a sign that he has more than enough wisdom on his own and needs no wisdom from God, the poor man who has understanding (divine wisdom) will be able to see the folly of his arrogance.

There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, yet is not washed from his filthiness. There is a kind—oh how lofty are his eyes! And his eyelids are raised in arrogance” (30:12-13).

Arrogance causes the filthy man (one who is mired in sin) to believe he is pure. The New American Standard version uses the term kind with the singular his, suggesting an individual. The King James Version uses the term generation and their, which would indicate a larger group. In either case, the point is about those who will not listen to others who could provide them with wise counsel, whether it is the younger generation refusing to listen to the older generation, or an individual refusing to listen to others who could instruct him. Those who are arrogant will not listen to rebuke and will remain in their sin.


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