A Lesson in Humility

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samuel7771
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A Lesson in Humility

Post by samuel7771 » Fri Jun 29, 2018 2:18 am

A Lesson in Humility by Reuven ben Gershom


“Humility and the fear of YHVH, bring riches, honour and life”

Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs of Solomon 22:4.

This verse above informs us regarding the praiseworthiness regarding the trait of our humility and the many good qualities that are connected with it. The literal meaning of this verse is that those who revere YaHVaH Elohim (the LORD God), receives a threefold blessing for their humility towards Elohim and others. These are “riches, honour, and life.” This includes the promise and privileges of the covenant of grace, being eternal life.

It is known that from a social standpoint, humility has practical connotations. Thus, one should be patient and always honour others and speak of their good qualities. They should listen in humility and remain quiet. From this practical aspect of humility, a person will advance to fear YaHVaH, which is a rational trait and will also attain their needs, both Spiritual and in daily needs.

Those who are humble will rejoice in their lot, yet arrogance diminishes satisfaction with whatever their possessions they may have, as an arrogant person is never satisfied with that which Elohim has provided. On the other hand, one who is humble should be satisfied with just a little, yes beloved, even with their “daily bread,” which is wealth, for it provides sustenance and continuance of life. One may say, “Who is rich?” I can tell you, it is the person who loves YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, with all their heart and soul, as well as those who are joyful and full of gratitude with whatever they have!

A humble person likewise will derive honour, for when one avoids the pursuits of pleasures one will be satisfied with their status. This it self is a source of honour to them, as it is written in the Word of Elohim,

“And he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain to honour.” Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs of Solomon 29:23.

It is also stated;

“Before honour goes humility.” Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs of Solomon 18:12.

Humility will also bring life in abundance. Those who pursue after the excesses of life, tend to live a life of distress, for they cannot always attain all their desires and goals. Therefore this is a constant worry and it shortens their life as such, for a person will concern themselves with the material world, which is not theirs in the first place. However, one who rejoices in Yahushua the Messiah and in their lot will not fret over what was or was not acquired and will thus live a life of peace in Messiah, our blessed Redeemer! A rabbi of ancient days commented on Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs of Solomon 22:4 and during his short speech he quoted very wisely Tehillim - Psalm 111:10, which states;

“The heel of humility is the fear of YHVH.”

He continued with – “What wisdom has made as a crown for its head, humility has made as a sole for its shoe.” And continued “The head of wisdom is the fear of YHVH.” This rabbi used not only the perfect verse, but he spoke a great truth, for we learn from the Word that the trait of humility is greater than wisdom, for the fear of YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, which is at the head of wisdom is only the sole of humility.

Every human characteristic has two extremes in addition to its point of moderation. Humility is the intermediate quality between arrogance on the one hand, and self-effacement on the other. Generally, the moderate course is the correct one that we should choose for ourselves.

Shlomo - Solomon said “Weigh (or ponder) the path of your feet” Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs of Solomon 4:26.

The intent of this advice is that we should proceed between the two extremes just as the indicator of a balance stands precisely between the two plates. If one chooses the course of moderation all traits will be correct. Thus, Shlomo - Solomon subsequently added,

“Turn not to the right hand or the left” verse 27.

Meaning, proceed upon an intermediate course. However, regarding the trait of humility, we are instructed to bend towards the extreme trait of self-effacement.

Because humility is so praiseworthy and it has mighty consequences, which are visible to all, King Dovid - David said that he himself has “a broken and contrite heart” (Tehillim - Psalms 51:17). Although he was a great king, a prophet and the leader of the seventy elders of the Sanhedrin, he nevertheless went as far as to describe himself as having “a broken and contrite heart.” Similarly, we find that Moshe - Moses, the beloved and great prophet of YaHVaH Elohim, is praised in Scriptures for his trait of humility rather than any of his other blessed qualities, as it says,

“Now the man Moshe was very meek (lowly or humble)” Bamidbar - Numbers 12:3.

Obviously, this verse was inserted later, most likely by Ezra or a later prophet, but it is recognised as part of the Word of Elohim by all. The word used for “meek” is … “Anav” - meek, lowly or humble, indicated that Moshe did not desire to remain in the intermediate position of being merely humble. He went away from the moderate course and leaned towards self-effacement. Therefore, scripture mentioned that he was “very meek.”

In order for us to learn the Hebrew thought in Scripture, let me again ask the following. “Who is as humble as Elohim?” In answer, let us ponder the following. A student might ask his teacher, “Teach me one chapter” and the teacher answers “go to the next room and wait for me there until I come.” However, it is totally different with Elohim. In the Word we find that He commanded Yechehel - Ezekiel, “Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will speak with you there.” (Yechehel - Ezekiel 3:22). When Yechehel - Ezekiel went to the place, he found that YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, had actually preceded him. As it is written, “Then I arose, and went forth into the plain and behold, the Glory of YHVH stood there” (Yechehel - Ezekiel 3:23). We must therefore conclude just as the Psalmist said, “Thy, Elohim's gentleness has made me great.” (Tehillim - Psalm 18:35).

The attribute of humility is one of the ways of Elohim and we who have received the all-powerful Word in and through our Redeemer Yahushua are instructed to walk in His ways, as it is stated, “And you shall walk in His ways.” (Davarim - Deuteronomy 28:9). It is well known that the faithful Avraham held fast to this trait. Shemos - Exodus 20:20 states,

“Fear not, for Elohim has come to test you, and that His fear may be upon your faces, that ye sin not.”

Scripture could have said, “that His fear may be in your hearts,” rather than “upon your faces.” We may conclude that “His fear upon your faces” refers to the shamefacedness to sin. The fear of Elohim, blessed be He, which entails both the fear in the heart and the “fear upon the face,” constitutes the essential principle of the entire Word of Elohim. Shlomo - Solomon stated, “The end of the matter, all having been heard: fear Elohim, and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Qoheleth - Ecclesiastes 12:13).

What does this study teach us? We are to live as servants of YaHVaH our Elohim. Servants that walk in humility, full of love, and charity, glowing with the light of Yahushua our Messiah, to the Glory of Elohim the Father, that we may be as an example of Elohim to this sinful and lost world. “Let your light so shine!”

Beloved, we are living in times of great evil in the world and we are heading towards a great conclusion, and it is time for those who love the Messiah to return to the blessed Word of YaHVaH Elohim, which contains the blessed Word of truth. Let us be humble and even be able to accept the sad truth if you find error in some teachings that you may have learned over the years. Please pray and search out the Word of Elohim, never take anything for granted, not even what this author writes, or any man, always ensure that it is covered by prayer and ensure that it is backed up by the Word!

The reward of “Humility and the fear of YHVH bring RICHES, HONOUR and LIFE.”

As you go and share the love, mercy, and forgiveness that our beloved Messiah Yahushua offers, may the Spirit of YaHVaH Elohim touch and change them, that they may also receive the REWARD … FOR …

“Great is your REWARD in HEAVEN!” Mattityahu - Matthew 5:12.

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