Humility Study: Part V - Wages

Proverbs 22
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Those who sow injustice reap calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. The sluggard says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!" The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the LORD's wrath falls into it. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. Those who oppress the poor to increase their wealth and those who give gifts to the rich—both come to poverty. Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life. Do not make friends with the hot-tempered, do not associate with those who are easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors. Do you see those who are skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

Humility: If you are humble, you get "paid" in wealth, in honor, and in life. Now, wealth and honor are pretty straight forward. But peing paid "life", well that is a new one. I am sure that it is meaning eternal life.

Let's see...

Life (chay - pronounced: khah'ee)

• Alive; hence raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively: age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life (lifetime), live (lively), living (creature, thing), maintenance, merry, multitude, (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.

Humility (‛ănâvâh - pronounced: an-aw-vaw')

• Condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency): gentleness, humility, meekness.

Condescension (noun):

• An act or instance of condescending.
• Behavior that is patronizing or condescending.
• Voluntary assumption of equality with a person regarded as inferior.
• Do something that one considers to be below one's dignity.
• Debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way.

I just don't think that God would want me to exhibit condescension toward another person. Something about the word just doesn't sit right with me.

Clement (adjective):

• Mild or merciful in disposition or character; lenient; compassionate.

Humility Study: Part III - Prehonor Rituals

Proverbs 15
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness. Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave. The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him. A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

A person who is disciplined has characteristics of humility. So, what does this chapter say about discipline?

• A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
• Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
• He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Not only that, but Proverbs also says this:

• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7)
• My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3:11-12)
• The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. (Proverbs 5:22-23)
• My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. (Proverbs 6:20, 23-24)
• He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. (Proverbs 10:17)
• Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. (Proverbs 12:1)
• He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. (Proverbs 13:18)
• Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. (Proverbs 19:18)
• Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)
• Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. (Proverbs 23:12-14)
• Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. (Proverbs 23:22-24)

If I discipline my son, then... well, there is a good outcome for him. If I don't, then I am an active participant in his death. Wow, talk about severe. And the same goes for God and me. The relationship is that God is to discipline me so that God is not an active participant in my death. I have to listen to the discipline he is feeding me. I have to be humble to the discipline. Otherwise, I am just some stupid idiot.