Bridges, Roadblocks, and Humility
Outline
- Introductory Comments
- Proverbs 26:1-12
- Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honour is not fitting for a fool
- Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest
- A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.
- Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
- Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison. Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool
- Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honour to a fool. Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool
- Do you see a person who is wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them
- Elsewhere in Proverbs
- The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but the wise listen to advice
- Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall
- Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honour
- The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: they will not go unpunished
- When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom
- Don't be wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord and turn away from evil
- 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
- In the rest of Scripture
- The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
- Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you "come up here" than for you to be placed lower in the presence of his nobles
- Wisdom for us today
- We need to be aware of the danger
- We need to acknowledge our limitations and confess our failures
- We need to know where to place our trust - looking beyond ourselves
- We need to build a habit of praying about everything