Humility and Dependence on God in Typological Examples
Humility and Dependence on God in Typological Examples
The biblical concept of humility is deeply intertwined with dependence on God, as seen in various typological examples throughout scripture. A key figure embodying this virtue is Jesus Christ, who is described as an exemplar of humility [1]. Christ's humility is evident in his taking on human nature, his subjection to his parents, and his association with the despised [2].
In the Old Testament, figures like Hannah exemplify humility and dependence on God. Hannah's story in 1 Samuel contrasts with that of Peninnah, who typified pride and haughtiness. Hannah's humble dependence on God is highlighted as a virtue [8]. The Psalms also emphasize the importance of humility, with the godly being described as those who imitate God by being generous, compassionate, and righteous [9].
The book of Proverbs provides wisdom on the relationship between humility and the fear of the Lord, stating that "by humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life" [5]. This connection is further explored in Proverbs 15:33, which notes that the fear of the Lord fosters humility by counteracting delusions of self-sufficiency [12]. True humility involves submission to and dependence on God, as seen in passages like Psalms 18:25-27 and 119:142-144 [7].
The apostle Paul's writings in Philippians emphasize the importance of humility, using Christ as the ultimate example. The "lowliness of mind" is described as a sense of dependence on the Creator, placing all created beings on a level [11]. Christ's humility is further highlighted in Philippians 2:8, where he is described as humbling himself to the point of death on the cross [10].
The connection between humility and dependence on God is also seen in the concept of devotedness to God. This involves a characteristic of saints, grounded in the mercies and goodness of God, and is exemplified in Christ [3]. The idea of resignation to God's will is another aspect of this dependence, with Christ setting an example in his submission to the Father's will [4].
In the New Testament, the call to humility is linked to the believer's state before God's kindness and love were manifested. This is seen in the commentary on Titus 3:3, which highlights the fittingness of humility considering one's former state [6].
The biblical emphasis on humility and dependence on God is not limited to individual virtues but is part of a broader narrative that underscores God's sovereignty and the believer's reliance on him. As seen in Zephaniah 2:3, those who are humble are encouraged to seek the Lord, implying a deep-seated dependence on him [7].
The examples of Christ and other biblical figures serve as a model for believers, encouraging a posture of humility and dependence on God. This is reinforced by the understanding that humility is before honour, and that it leads to riches, honour, and life [1, 5].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 22:4 (KJV) — By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:3: 3:3 Humility (3:2) is fitting, considering our state when God’s kindness and love came to us (3:4; see Eph 2:1-4; 5:8; Col 3:7; 1 Pet 4:3).”
- Zephaniah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zephaniah 2:3: 2:3 all who are humble: True humility involves submission to and dependence on God (Pss 18:25-27; 119:142-144; Prov 15:33; 18:12; 22:4).”
- 1 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Samuel 2:3: 2:3 proud and haughty: Peninnah typified this attitude (see 1:6-7). Hannah, by contrast, was humbly dependent on God.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 112:4: 112:4-5 The godly imitate God by being generous, compassionate, and righteous (51:1; 111:1-10; 2 Cor 9:9). They lend money to the poor without charging interest (Pss 15:5; 112:9; Exod 22:25).”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 2:8: being found in fashion as a man--being already, by His "emptying Himself," in the form of a servant, or likeness of man (Rom 8:3), "He humbled Himself (still further by) becoming obedient even unto death (not as English Version, 'He humbled Himself and became,'&c.; the Greek has no 'and,' and has the participle, not the verb), and that the death of the cross." "Fashion" expresses that He had the outward guise, speech, and look. In Phi 2:7, in the Greek, the emphasis is on Himself (which stands before the Greek verb), "He emptied Himself," His divin”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 2:3: Let nothing be done--The italicized words are not in the Greek. Perhaps the ellipsis had better be supplied from the Greek (Phi 2:2), "Thinking nothing in the way of strife" (or rather, "factious intrigue," "self-seeking," see on Phi 1:16). It is the thought which characterizes the action as good or bad before God. lowliness of mind--The direct relation of this grace is to God alone; it is the sense of dependence of the creature on the Creator as such, and it places all created beings in this respect on a level. The man "lowly of mind" as to his ”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:33: 15:33 Fear of the Lord fosters humility because proper regard for God counteracts our delusions of self-sufficiency.”