If humility is an essential requirement for a place in God kingdom, it an be no surprise that the subject is frequently mentioned in scripture. Furthermore, in view of its importance in God’s sight, we might well expect it to be a developed feature in the character of the great personalities of the Bible.
The humility of Abraham
Abraham provides a notable example of humility and there is much we can learn from him. We are not going to dwell upon his faith, immensely important though that may be. Does not Paul indeed remind us that, in this respect, he is the father of us all (Rom. 4:11)? As we well know, without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). But our relationship to Abraham needs to go more deeply than that.
To the Jews who boasted of their descent from the patriarch, the Lord Jesus declared: “If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham” (John 8:39). We thus have it on the highest authority that we can learn much from a consideration of his behavior. Moreover, it is not a mere matter of engaging in some kind of academic study: we have to behave as he did if we aspire to be his children in a spiritual sense and to be with him in the kingdom.
Humility with Lot
A study of Genesis 13 is especially revealing. It shows Abraham traveling from place to place in the company of his nephew Lot. Their flocks are so large that the available land cannot support all their cattle, and there are others in the area, the Canaanite and the Perizzite (v. 7). It is the herdsmen of both parties who are responsible for tending and feeding the flocks. With insufficient pasturage at their disposal, the herdsmen find themselves in competition with one another. Possibly some ugly incidents develop. It is a classic example of a conflict of interests. How often in human relations has such a clash generated strife, and even bloodshed. In this particular situation, the problem is solved by Abraham’s humility and generosity.
Had Abraham been a proud person, he would have asserted his right as the older man to the first choice, to which Lot could easily have retorted that, as a younger man, much more of his future lay before him and he had to think of his family. Abraham’s words should be treasured by us all: “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren” (v. 8). “For we be brethren” are words which should never be forgotten. The relationship, especially in Christ, is most precious. Strife and discord should be avoided, and they can be by the exercise of the humility and graciousness displayed by Abraham.
Subsequent events
We remember the sequel: Lot must have been delighted with the fact that Abraham left him free to exercise his preference. Abraham knew about the well-watered plain of Jordan which was most attractive to his nephew. Eventually Lot took up residence in Sodom, with all the dire consequences which are familiar to us. In the destruction of this depraved city, he lost all his possessions, his wife, and escaped with only his two daughters. The latter must have been corrupted by their association. It is evident they had lost all moral sense, for they made their father drunk in order to have a child by him (Gen. 19:30-38). Can one imagine anything more sordid?
What happened to Abraham illustrates, among other things, that godliness is profitable for the life that now is (I Tim. 4:8). There are situations where the conduct of His children gives God such pleasure that He responds most favorably, and, in some cases, immediately. We think of the beautiful prayer offered by Daniel and the words of the angel Gabriel: “At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to tell thee; for thou are greatly beloved” (Dan. 9:23). So it was that after Lot had gone his way southward, “The Lord said unto Abram, Lift up now thine eyes [notice the same expression in v. 10] from the place where thou art, northward and southward and eastward and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever” (Gen. 13:14,15). There could hardly be a more resounding endorsement of Abraham’s unselfish conduct.
The response to Lot’s troubles
The folly of Lot’s choice was to be revealed when, as the result of his residence in Sodom, he was involved in the battle of the kings. The rout of the confederacy, of which Sodom was part, led to the capture of Lot and his goods (Gen. 14:12). When he received news of this development, how easily could Abraham have reacted by saying: “I gave Lot the choice, and he selfishly chose what appeared the best option. He must now take the consequences.” But this was not what he did. At what must have been considerable risk to himself and his men, Abraham went to the rescue of Lot (his brother Gen 14 14), and successfully released him, “his goods, and the women also, and all the people” (Gen 14:16).
What a magnanimous man was this Abraham’ His utter humility and loving heart are revealed in yet another incident which affected Lot When Abraham became aware that divine judgment was to overtake Sodom, his thoughts turned spontaneously to his nephew, he pleaded with the angel to spare the city if there were 50 righteous in it This request was granted, but, on reflection, Abraham was doubtful whether the city contained so many righteous Accordingly, he made a further request “Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes” (Gen 18:27)
These are indeed the words of a totally humble man How easily, after receiving the great promise of Genesis 13 14-17, could Abraham have spoken m more confident terms and regarded himself as in a different category from the rest of his fellows There is no trace of this kind of pride in the one whom we are called upon to imitate
Finally, we remember Abraham reduced his plea for mercy toward Sodom in the hope there might be at least 10 righteous in it (Gen 18 32) The Lord knew what was in the mind of the one who is called “the friend of God” (II Chron 20 7, Isa 41 8, James 2 23) and when the debauched inhabitants of Sodom were eventually destroyed, together with the other cities of the plain, God “remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow” (Gen 19:29)
We should act like Abraham
One cannot help reflecting how different the history of our Christadelphian world could have been m certain situations if only the humility and largeness of heart displayed by Abraham had been shown One of our favorite quotations is Isaiah 66 2 “But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word”
The patriarch shows this kind of acceptable humility in his relations with a fallible kinsman Is it not highly probable that as Lot thought upon what Abraham had done for him, he came to thank God? Whatever his failings were, he is called “righteous Lot” by Peter (II Peter 2 7 RV) and doubtless Abraham was aware of the finer side of Lot’s character
The humility of Moses
Moses is another outstanding example of humility Through the extraordinary circumstances of his birth and childhood, he was influenced by two cultures As the adopted son of an Egyptian princess, all kinds of glittering prospects were subsequently opened up to him Yet he also came under his mother’s influence (Ex 2:5-10), m a rather unexpected way in which we can surely see the hand of God Moses was a highly intelligent child and he never forgot what his mother told him about his people and their history.
When he saw the oppression to which his kinsmen were subjected, and the contrast with his own estate, he was prepared to sacrifice all The motive was altogether admirable, but his imprudent intervention miscarried to rescue a fellow Israelite, he slew the oppressor, but the act became known (Ex 2:11-15)
He had to flee for his life and spend 40 years as a shepherd What a contrast with his life at court’ Yet Moses had no regrets, “esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt” (Heb 11 26) Had he chosen otherwise, we would never have heard of him.
During those 40 years of spiritual apprenticeship, Moses became a very humble man When eventually the Lord God revealed Himself to him at the bush, he was reluctant to take on the task which he had been prepared to undertake singlehanded 40 years earlier (Ex 3 and 4) In this chastened condition, however, he was to prove a far more effective agent for his God than he had been as a self-confident young courtier.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One