Magnifying the Lord ~ A Study in the Word
September 1, 2007
This week’s word study
contributed by:
Kevin Sparkman
 Looking
at Proverbs 11:2, 13:10, 16:18, 29:23
Pro 11:2
When pride cometh, then cometh
shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Pro 13:10
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well
advised is wisdom.
Pro 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pro 29:23
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall
uphold the humble in spirit.
Pride ~ Hebrew word "zadown" -
pronounced (zaw-done): meaning to seethe, to be insolent, presume,
arrogance, haughtiness.
Cometh ~ Hebrew word "bow"
- pronounced (Bo): meaning: to come, abide, bring forth, to cause
to come to pass.
Shame ~ Hebrew word "galown" -
pronounced (kaw-lone): meaning: disgrace, confusion, dishonor, reproach,
shame.
Contention ~ Hebrew word "matstsah"
- pronounced (mats-tsaw): meaning: a quarrel, debate, strife, contention.
Destruction ~ Hebrew word "sheber"
pronounced (sheh-ber) meaning: a fracture, ruin, affliction, breach,
breaking, bruise, crashing, hurt, vexation, destruction.
Thought to consider:
Sometimes the Lord teaches us academically and other times we have
to be taught by experience, that place called the school of hard knocks.
It is the going through the furnace of proving and testing where we
find if we are really who we perceive ourselves to be.
Recently I went through the furnace of proving and testing and
I came out feeling like I had been torched. First, I just felt numb
- because I could see just how much damage pride can bring when
it raises its ugly head.
Just as the scriptures said, I was confused. Why did it happen?
And I was ashamed as I had acted in ways that made a sure path for
the quarreling and the strife the scriptures promised would follow.
As I have had time to meditate on this experience I have realized
that God will not let His children come to the point of destruction
in the same way the world would. He will take us to a point where
we see ourselves - and then give us room to consider our ways. He
is full of patience as He shows us just who we are and how we act,
causing us to be sorry for our prideful ways that often hide deep
within. The wonder of it all is that God grants us the grace to
turn once again, each time gaining in understanding. The love He has
for us allows us to turn from our pride before we reach the point of
total shame, contention, and destruction.
Even in this place I found myself, I find a Father God, who was in
control all the time - loving, caring, and still teaching me - and
causing all things to work together for the good.
Amen.
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