When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. – Proverbs 11:2

Today's Scripture Reading (November 8, 2022): Proverbs 11

Jesus told the story about a man invited to a feast. And when he got to the dinner, he took a position of privilege. I mean, he thought that the elevated position must have been reserved for him because he knew that he was important. I have met this person several times in my life. They appear to have a high opinion of themselves and their importance in this world, so they expect that they must be a person of importance deserving of honor wherever they go. Or maybe they just know that no one else will elevate them to a position of importance, so they decide to take the initiative and promote themselves. But in the case of Jesus's story, the place of importance had been reserved for someone else, so the man was publicly removed from the position of importance to take a seat of less significance.

I remember going to another pastor for advice the first time I had to officiate at a funeral. I was so afraid that I would make a mistake at this important event because it was something I had never done before. I also remember the pastor's advice. "Just act like you have been there before. If you make a mistake, no one will notice as long as you are confident in what you are doing." Maybe good advice for a funeral or a wedding, but not when it comes to social events.

Jesus's advice to his listeners was simple.

When you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 14:10-11).

Proverbs reminds us of the same principle. If you are prideful and insist on taking the place of importance or presenting yourself as knowledgeable in areas where that is not true, you are setting yourself up for disgrace. But the wise path is always to take the way of humility. The word used here that has been translated into "humility" is a rare word, and it is used in only one other place in the Tanakh or the Hebrew Bible. Micah uses the word in his prophecy; "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). The same word is translated as "humbly" in our verse from Micah. It indicates a willingness to let someone else, especially God, take the lead and follow that lead despite what we might think we understand, especially when it comes to our relationship with other people and the rest of creation.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Proverbs 12