The Road to Deliverance
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time 1 Peter 5:6 NASB
Humble yourselves – God is not going to do this for you! There are some things that you and I have to do on our own. God expects us to do what we must so that He can do what He wills. And humbling ourselves is something we must do. He might help. Chastisement is a useful tool here. But in the end, tapeinothete is a personal act.
“Humble yourself” comes from the Greek verb tapeinoo. Greek thinking about this verb was usually negative. Aristotle considered anything that prevents moral virtue to be tapeinos. In Greek thought, being humble led to manipulative flattery and wicked prostration. Being low on the totem pole was not a Greek ideal, nor is it today in our Western culture modeled after the Greek. So you can imagine how radical the notion of tapeinothete was to a Gentile audience. Who could believe that the gods wanted you to be the doormat of others?
The LXX suggests that tapeinos usually refers to actions, not status. It is a word about kneeling down in the presence of royalty, but obviously, being humbled is also the result of sickness, poverty and oppression. However, as opposed to Greek thought, the actions of the humble show dependence on God, something virtuous in itself. Therefore, the rabbis consider humility something of highest value. They were about as non-Greek as one could get. Yeshua followed the rabbis. So did his disciples. None were Greek when it came to being humble. No Greek thinker would have ever exhorted followers to humble themselves. It is the antithesis of self-fulfillment philosophy.
Today we often carry Greek attitudes into our conceptions about success in the world. We strive for supremacy. We dream about penthouse lifestyles. We glorify the rich and famous. Mother Teresa is not our role model. Pride is a virtue taught in every school. Is it any wonder that we find our leaders ultimately inept, self-centered and disreputable? They are not immune to the pervasive arrogance of achievement any more than we are. But Peter delivers the death blow to followers of the Messiah who adopt Greek narcissism. Correction will come from the mighty hand of God. He will bring down the proud in order to exalt the humble. In due time. Meanwhile, we practice protracted prostration. We are the doormats of the world, the wine poured out for others, the ones who accept a call of unheralded service and unrecognized suffering because we follow the one who established an eternal kingdom of righteousness. Come, all you who are heavy laden, and we, in the name of our Master, will give you rest. We will carry the load just as he did. It is not too much for one rescued from self-importance.
Topical Index: humble, tapeinoo, 1 Peter 5:6
So, your implication is that being humble revolves around Torah, correct? That is, intentional effort to follow the guide of Torah, life, is indicative of humility? And that, in effect, humbleness spawns life itself?
” intentional effort to follow the guide of Torah, life, is indicative of humility?”
Hey Michael, isn’t this some of what the Messiah was debating with the rulers of His day. If Paul is any kind of indicative of the general attitude of the ruling party (ies) i.e. “as pertaining to the law, perfect” wouldn’t it seem that even torah obedience without humility is harmful. Maybe it’s even more harmful than disobedience?
YHWH bless you and keep you………
“wouldn’t it seem that even torah obedience without humility is harmful. Maybe it’s even more harmful than disobedience?
I’m not sure if it’s more harmful than disobedience, however, the tone I was addressing was not in regard to performance for performance sake. I was intending to address the relationship of humility with reflecting the nature of what is instructed in Torah as Yeshua and Shaul both did and urged of others. And I am placing obedience in the category of an expression of love and respect for YHWH rather than simply cold mechanized actions of conformity. Although, even a callous heart obeying Torah in empty form only is/isn’t better than a heart felt disregard for Torah. (Pick one) If, at times, I don’t really want to follow the instructions of Torah and do anyway, will it have value over not obeying? I think it does bottom line. Otherwise, what other way of walking is acceptable? Is a good heart motivation performing un-Torah actions better?
I am certain I have, multiple times, displayed the actions and characteristics of those ruling parties you mentioned. And in those times I have had need of someone of humility helping remind and instruct me couched in loving words and manners how to respond in the manner dictated by both Yeshua and Shaul.
It seems to me the issue is about moving people IN to life, that which is reflected in Torah, as both Shaul and Yeshua demonstrated. Isn’t that what Yeshua and Paul were motivated to do? Yes, you mis-guided leaders, it is good to follow Torah. However . . . you (those leaders that challenged Yeshua and Shaul) need some help understanding that Torah is complete in and of itself. One doesn’t have to add to it, as you’ve done with your traditions, and is forbidden to subtract from it as well (as you’ve done with your fences.)
I think we’ve simply thrown the baby out with the bathwater in trying to defend that the Torah isn’t that important in view of YHWH’s grace. I think it is dangerous ground to intimate that if your heart isn’t “right” that Torah obedience isn’t still a major player regarding our actions. I would lean toward
obedience until we learn what the proper and acceptable heart conditions are learned, mastered and practiced. At that point, it seems, the picture comes together in our beings as life, the very thing Torah is
there to guide us to. We teach our children this same way, right? We tell them how to act regardless of them understanding it immediately. No matter what their understanding, we teach them the way to go UNTIL the get it. IF they get it. It’s ultimately up to them. And, likewise, up to us in regard to matching our motivations and heart in line with Torah.
Regardless of our proper or improper motivation, obedience is still the goal in every situation. That’s not legalism, that’s life. Disobedience is death. We decide whether we want to walk and exist in life or death each moment of decision, it seems to me.
If Torah obedience without humility is more harmful and disobedience, then Havvah needs to be apologized to because we’ve colored her deception more harsh than necessary, no? I’ve gathered, based on this TW, that humility as exampled by Yeshua is the target and goal of how, precisely, we are to go about implementing the instructions for life. It is done with the knowledge and understanding that, as Skip points out, we are totally dependent on YHWH. With that aura of motivation, Torah obedience becomes something of necessity and delight. Necessity in order to get us in to life and delight in that it brings us the reality YHWH desires for us, the absolute best way for us. It is an individual action played out in a community of others with an audience of one, YHWH.
I think I’ve maybe blathered on. Thanks for your insight, observation and question.
The parable of the two sons. Which one was right? The one who said YES but didn’t or the one who said NO but did? Obedience, even grudgingly, is better. Who knows, maybe doing what you are supposed to do even if you don’t want to will cause a change of heart?
Exactly. Maybe we will have a change of heart today and not tomorrow. Each opportunity is the exercise of free will. Apparently, Yeshua chose life each and every time a decision came to him. Thus, which is more apropos to celebrate: his birth, his death or his life. His birth would have been common had it not been for his fully Torah observant life which ultimately gave value to his death. Had his life not exemplified Torah in the most full and complete manner, his death would have been unqualified of value for anyone. He would have been as common as any of us. Celebrate his birth and death? That’s certainly an option. However, his life resides in the totality of his years on Earth. Shouldn’t that be our emphasis? Doing that which God’s anointed did, live life as YHWH asks?
It seems Yeshua attained such a high level of life from doing Torah fully that all the accompanying praise is, indeed, correctly placed in him. Who else can offer such a resumé? And following, completed that which was necessary to be mashiach and become the only one able to face death and actually kill it rendering it null and void so as to negate its power for those inhabiting life as provided graciously by YHWH.
Very cool deal to work out. We are graciously given life and are called to walk in it continuously. Obedience.
Feel like it or not. Having the right attitude or not. Hopefully, eventually, the right heart will follow and manifest itself presumably from residing in the realm of real life enough to make that THE priority.
Thank you Michael and Skip both for your replies.
Just to clarify a bit, I wasn’t challenging the position only “trying” to introduce another aspect to explore. While I’ll state that I unequivocally agree with both the replies above, the core of what I stated has to do with concern for those we immediately influence in our walk. To say it another way, if I take on Torah obedience as a position of superiority, how much damage am I inflicting on those around me? I would rather (?) not delve into it at all than to shame the Name of the one who Redeemed me.
Now who’s blathering on Michael? 🙂
YHWH bless you and keep you
Your clarification makes sense to me Robert.
I think Shaul was taking the ‘high’ road of explanation regarding his credentials pointedly at his wayward audience, don’t you think? His credentials were a necessity for first encounters surely. Once established, their repetition was needed only as needed. Paul’s example in this case doesn’t necessitate it be our example in our everyday world. That is, declaring how good and obedient we are with a haughty statement saying so. Rather, a take away point is that Shaul DID observe the Torah with all his might, at least at the time of his writing that letter. I’m sure, by his own testimony, that he had many moments of “torahlessness” (lawlessness) by his own confession of doing the very things he doesn’t want to do. I know I share that testimony with him.
“if I take on Torah obedience as a position of superiority, how much damage am I inflicting on those around me?”
I can only assume that this has been done, observable by you, at some time and place that concerns you. If so, yes, I would be concerned, too. I ask, “Why in the world would I “take on Torah obedience as a position of superiority?” As abhorrent as that sounds, I am the very one that could easily be found to act out that very possibility. Yet I don’t want to. That’s my challenge. To live such that people can see the influence and affect of Torah on my life that makes them want to ask questions as to why as opposed to me shoving it down their throats uninvited. It’s a sad commentary on my life that more people don’t ask what is so different and worthy in my life. I need to get going in that direction a lot more!
I can only assume that this has been done, observable by you, at some time and place that concerns you.
It’s a valid assumption, I would think that if one choses this path it’s almost unavoidable. It’s part of the learning curve!
As for the question of acting out of superiority, I see it all the time. The bad and good news is that if I hadn’t experienced it myself, I would probably be a bit less graceful concerning it. Compassion, what a big word!!
YHWH bless you and keep you………
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.
Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
Happy thanksgiving to everyone, we’ve all been blessed with a voice, let’s sing!!
Which parable is this, if you please? Did Jesus/Yeshua say to the religious leaders of the day “bear fruit worthy of repentance” or was that John the Baptist his cousin? Did Jesus/Yeshua say, “go and learn this : to obey is better than sacrifice”? and if so, where is His reference from the Tanakh? Thank you.
A doormat? Mmmmmm.
Was Yeshua a doormat? Yes he had a servant heart, he was actively humble, lovingly submissive unto death, but a doormat?
I believe that being actively humble takes guts and integrity, it is also something that can only be done in YHVH’s strength.
Yeshua was the example of what it is, and takes, to be a humble servant of YHVH. But I don’t believe you can do it justice with a “Greek” humbled slave, head bowed/subjected attitude. To be a humble servant effectively, requires willing/active love of God and your fellow man regardless of …… heads up and carry on.
There is a difference between defense of a righteous precept and being defensive as the result of a personal insult. The first is a mitzvah (for example, Pinchas’ zeal for the defense of God in Numbers 25 s applauded), but the second (being self-defensive when insulted) is the result of pride. Moshe was recognized for his humility, and Yeshua prostrated himself (like a doormat) and took personal insult without self-defense, but I doubt anyone thought that either of them would fail to stand for Godly principle. Humble? Yes. Milquetoast? Never.