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Proverbs 30:13

Agur taught inspired wisdom for your life through sets of four things (30:11-31). Here is the third of four kinds of men, identified by particular sins. All men are arrogant and proud to varying degrees, but there are some who are exceptionally conceited and haughty. They are stuck up in pride, with their eyes looking down on every one else. God hates this proud look (6:16-17), and He will bring down the proud man or woman.

The word "generation" is used here to describe a kind of man, a kind of person, or a specific type of individual. It is not a prophecy about all the people born at some time in the future, when men would be arrogant and proud, for all ages have had such sinners. It is not a direct reference to the evil men living at the time of Jesus Christ, for such a use would be unique in the book of Proverbs and without practical wisdom for life. The four generations might be loosely connected to the four temperament types - sanguine, choleric, melancholy, and phlegmatic - for each temperament has instinctive tendencies. But the wisdom taught here is more than temperamental disposition: the four lessons are specific sins and their related duties. Rather than assigning temperaments to each generation, learn the identified sin and corresponding wisdom of each generation.

The third generation, or kind of evil person, is arrogant and proud about his character, abilities, and value. He has a conceited and haughty heart, presumptuously believing he is superior to others. He thinks the world revolves around him; he is highly offended by any neglect from others; he despises correction and reproofs; he is envious at the advantages of others; and he is quick to criticize and condemn. Rather than casting his eyes to the ground in humility, he lifts them up even in the sight of God (Luke 18:9-14).

Pride is a terrible sin. It cost the devil his position in heaven (Is 14:12-14; I Tim 3:6). Yet today it is used as a good word, as in, "I am so proud of what I have done." And it is sold as the personal cure-all for every psychological malady under the names of self-love and self-esteem. It is one of the devil's three main devices against you - the pride of life (I Jn 2:16). You are selfish, envy others, refuse instruction, get offended, and fight by pride!

You are nothing. You are less than nothing. Your character is depraved and profane (Jer 17:9; Rom 3:9-18). Your abilities and potential are so pitiful that your entire life can be snuffed out by squeezing your nose (Is 2:22; Ps 146:3). Your achievements and estate are so small that no one will remember you two weeks after you are buried (Ps 49:10-13). Low class men are obviously nothing; upper class men are a lie; put together they are less than vanity (Ps 62:9)! The Holy Spirit never heard of the dignity or value of man!

You came into this world not knowing a single fact, not even your own existence! You did not have the ability, conscience, memory, or strength to keep from dirtying yourself. You could not take food from a spoon, and drinking from a cup was an impossible task. Making a tricycle go forward and saying the letters of the alphabet taxed your brain and body to their limits. And now you think you are great? What arrogance! What pride!

You are doomed, unless you humble yourself. God hates pride, for He only has underived beauty, glory, holiness, power, righteousness, truth, and wisdom. He only can say, "I AM THAT I AM." In fact, He can take this awesome description as His own name! He will resist you and crush you, if you think highly of yourself (Jas 4:6). Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest king in the world's history, but he had to say after seven years of living as an animal under God's judgment, "Those that walk in pride he is able to abase" (Dan 4:37).

True wisdom, which will save you from much error and cause you to grow in favor with God and man, is most willing to get down and confess ignorance to God and men. The gracious spirit that wins favor with both depends heavily on the excellent spirit of a humble man. Solomon was a very favored child. Favored by God and men. He had the genes, the opportunities, and the successes. But even as king over a very prosperous nation, he said, "I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in" (I Kgs 3:7).

Are you humble? It is easy to tell. Do you love to be corrected, or would you rather correct others? Are you anxious to serve, or be served? Do you fully submit without resentment to those God has put over you? If you are a woman, do you know you are the weaker vessel and created to help one man? Are you thankful for blessings or advantages of another, or are you envious? When others offend you, do you get angry, or do you quickly forgive them? Do you stay in the background and listen to others? Are you a better hearer or teacher? Do you listen most and talk less, or talk most and listen less?

The blessed God of heaven has no use for any man or woman that thinks he or she is something. He will look to bless and help the man with a poor and contrite spirit, who trembles before His word (Is 66:1-2). Your first duty is to humble yourself before God and obey His every word. Your second duty is to humble yourself before men and become a servant. The greatest in the kingdom of God are the servants, not the rulers.

If you will humble yourself, God and men will exalt you (22:11; Jas 4:10; I Pet 5:6). If you will not humble yourself, God and men will crush you (15:25; 16:5,18; 21:24). The Lord Jesus Christ humbled himself to be born of a poor woman, to live an obscure life of poverty and service, and to die an unjust death for others. For this great work His Father promoted Him far above all the angels of heaven (Phil 2:5-11). Are you like Him at all?

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