Lesson-in-Humility
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Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish
Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the
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Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical
books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), having been corrected
like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Please Note: All verses are from the JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh.
“The reward of
humility is the fear of יְהוָה - the
LORD, even riches, and honour, and life”. Proverbs 22:4.
The 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 יְהוָה - the
LORD, receives a threefold blessing for their humility towards אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim and others.
These are ‘riches’, ‘honour’, and ‘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 יְהוָה - the
LORD, 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 אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim has
provided. On the other hand, one who is humble should be satisfied with just a
little, yes, 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 אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim,
blessed be He, 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 in its self is a source of honour, as it is
written in the Word of אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim;
“… but he that is of
a lowly spirit shall attain to honour”. Proverbs 29:23.
It is also stated:
“Before honour goeth
humility”. Proverbs 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 יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיהֶם - the LORD their
Eloheihem and in their lot will not fret over what ‘was’ or ‘was
not acquired’ and will thus live a life of peace!
A rabbi of ancient days
commented on Proverbs 22:4.
“The reward of
humility is the fear of יְהוָה- the
LORD, even riches, and honour, and life”.
During his short speech he
quoted very wisely Psalm 111:10, which states;
“The fear of יְהוָה - the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”.
He continued with, “What
wisdom was made as a crown for its head, humility was made as a sole for its
shoe”. And he continued “The head of wisdom is the fear of יְהוָה - the LORD”. This rabbi
used not only the perfect verses, 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
אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD 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.
“Weigh (or ponder) the path of your feet” Proverbs 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, Solomon subsequently added,
“Turn not to the right hand or the left” Proverbs 4:27.
Which means, 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 David
said that he himself had “a broken and contrite heart”. (Psalms 51:19).
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 אֱלֹהִים
- 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)”. 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 - עָנָו –‘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 our blessed Scriptures, 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 Ezekiel, “Arise,
go forth into the plain, and I will speak with you there”. (Ezekiel 3:22). When
Ezekiel went to the place, he found that יְהוָה - the LORD,
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 the LORD stood there”. (Ezekiel 3:23). We must therefore
conclude just as the Psalmist said, “אֱלֹהִים - Elohim that girdeth me
with strength, and maketh my way straight”. (Psalm
18:33).
The attribute of humility is
one of the ways of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim and we who
have received the all-powerful Word in and through our יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Eloheinu are
instructed to walk in His ways, as it is stated, “If thou
shalt keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha, and walk in His
ways”. (Deuteronomy 28:9). It is well known that the faithful
Avraham held fast to this trait. Exodus 20:16 states:
“Fear
not; for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is
come to prove you, and that His fear may be before you, that
ye sin not”.
What does this study teach us?
We are to live as servants of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ – the LORD
our Eloheinu. Servants
that walk in humility, full of ‘love’, and ‘charity’, glowing with ‘the Glory
of אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’, that we
may be an example of אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim to this
sinful and lost world. “Let your light so shine!”
We are sadly living in times
of great evil throughout the world and we are heading towards a great
conclusion. and it is time for those who love the
blessed Word of יְהוָה - the LORD, 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 אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim, never take
anything you are told for granted, always ensure that it is covered by prayer
and ensure that it is backed up by the Word!
“The reward of humility is the fear of יְהוָה - the LORD, even ‘riches’, and ‘honour’, and ‘life’”. Proverbs 22:4.
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This site was
originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and
wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or
three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him,
blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with
hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of
our prophets...
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who
gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace
of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with
you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food
and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom
Aleichem - Peace be with you!
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