by Dwight A. Pryor
THE TWO GREAT leaders of Judaism and Christianity shared an essential character trait. Both were noted for their humility.
Of Moses we read: “Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Num 12:3). And of Jesus of Nazareth it is recorded that he did not aggrandize himself by his equality with God “but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant … and being found in human form, he humbled himself …” (Phil 2:7-8). Humility is the attitude that Messiah’s followers are to emulate and embody within the community of faith (2:5).
What is humility? Of all biblical values, why do the Sages insist that it is the “supreme virtue”?
First let’s be clear what humility is not. In our ego-centric, power-driven culture, the humble typically are depicted as wimpy, wishy-washy and weak. They are ineffectual persons, often with feelings of inadequacy.
The false piety fostered by a poor self-image is not biblical humility. In truth, an inadequate self image is the same coin as an inflated self image, just the reverse side. And the coin is “self”. True humility is not thinking less of yourself, just thinking less about yourself – because the currency of your life is God, not self. Your desire is for God to be all in all, for His kingship to advance and His name to be sanctified in the world.
Humility is not human weakness but divinely enabled strength. Moses and Jesus were not wimps. Humility empowered a reluctant Moses to challenge the mighty Pharaoh with the divine demand, “Let my people go!” Humility compelled Jesus to cry out, “Father, glorify your name!” rather than give in to his natural revulsion to drink the cup of crucifixion. Not in weakness but in humility did he pray, “Not my will but Thine be done.” Humility is submitted strength.
Biblical humility is not the annihilation of the self as in Oriental traditions, nor the crucifixion of self as in some Christian practice. Rather it is rightly apprehending one’s true place in the cosmos. We are both dust and divine. We are made in God’s image, and therefore of inestimable value and enormous dignity, but our focus must be upon not ourselves but the One who made us.
Humility reminds us that humans come from humus (Latin for earth), that Adam was formed from the adamah (ground - Gen 2:7). We are but “dust and ashes” – as Abraham was quick to confess when interceding with the LORD for the residents of Sodom (Gen 18:27). And yet, in his humility this ‘dust man’ could boldly negotiate with the omnipotent King of the Universe!
THE GOD OF Abraham declares: “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isa 66:2). God keeps his distance from the proud, but to the lowly He draws nigh (Ps 138:6; Isa 57:15). The New Testament therefore repeatedly commands, “Humble yourselves before the Lord” (Jas 4:10; 1 Pet 5:5). To be near the Holy One of Israel requires humility. He is God, we are not.
The Sages of Israel compare arrogance to idolatry, whereas humility attracts theShekhinah. “As water leaves a high level and goes to a lower level, so the Torah abandons him whose mind is haughty and cleaves to him whose mind is humble.” This is why the “inmost self” delights in the Torah of God (Rom 7:22 RSV).
Humility also attracts the Messiah. It is to the poor in spirit, Isaiah prophesies, that the Anointed One will bring the good news of God’s Kingdom (Isa 61:1; Lk 4:18). But repentance – the quintessential expression of humility – is required to come under the covering of His increasing government and peace.
Humility is the supreme virtue because it actually forms the basis for all others. It is the firm foundation of a life lived well to the praise of God’s glory. It requires a continual negation of all things selfish, arrogant and worldly, matched with an unceasing affirmation of the Almighty’s reign of righteousness, peace and joy in the earth. He is never more exalted than when we are ever more humble.
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Want to study this subject in-depth? We recommend The Supreme Virtue.
Take me back to the library. Or if you prefer, back to the topic Godly Living.