Humility: Isaiah
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In the book of Isaiah, humility is a recurring theme that underscores the relationship between God and His people. Isaiah, a major prophet in the Old Testament, conveys messages from God that often highlight the importance of humility as a virtue necessary for true worship and obedience to God.

Isaiah's Call and Humility

Isaiah's own call to prophecy is marked by an encounter with God's holiness, which brings him to a place of humility. In Isaiah 6:5 , Isaiah responds to his vision of the Lord by saying, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts." This acknowledgment of his unworthiness and sinfulness before a holy God is a profound expression of humility. Isaiah's response exemplifies the proper attitude one should have when confronted with the divine majesty and purity of God.

Humility and Repentance

Throughout the book, Isaiah calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repentance, urging them to humble themselves before God. In Isaiah 57:15 , the Lord declares, "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" This verse highlights God's willingness to dwell with those who are humble and contrite, emphasizing that humility is essential for experiencing God's presence and favor.

Pride and Its Consequences

Isaiah frequently contrasts humility with pride, warning of the consequences of arrogance. In Isaiah 2:11-12 , the prophet warns, "The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men will be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled." Here, Isaiah prophesies that human pride will ultimately be brought low, and only God will be exalted. This serves as a cautionary message that pride leads to downfall, while humility aligns one with God's will.

The Suffering Servant

Isaiah 53 presents the "Suffering Servant," a prophetic figure who embodies humility through suffering and submission to God's will. This passage is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:7 describes the servant: "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth." The servant's humility is evident in his willingness to endure suffering without protest, reflecting a deep submission to God's redemptive plan.

Humility and Restoration

Isaiah also speaks of the restoration that comes through humility. In Isaiah 66:2 , God says, "Has not My hand made all these things, and so they came into being? declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word." This verse underscores that God esteems those who are humble and reverent, promising restoration and blessing to those who approach Him with a humble heart.

In summary, the book of Isaiah presents humility as a key virtue that aligns individuals with God's purposes, invites His presence, and leads to restoration. Through the prophet's messages, the importance of humility is emphasized as a necessary posture before a holy and sovereign God.
Nave's Topical Index
Isaiah 6:5
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the middle of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

That Humility and Quietness are to be Maintained in all Things.
... 5. That humility and quietness are to be maintained in all things. In Isaiah: "Thus
saith the Lord God, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is the stool of ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/5 that humility and quietness.htm

How God Has Destroyed the Pride of the Devil by the virtue of ...
... head of evils, has been careful to heal opposites with opposites, that those things
which were ruined by pride might be restored by humility. ... 1028] Isaiah 14:13 ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii how god has.htm

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. . ...
... 18:15, 18.) that is, the wonderful Counsellor of heaven and earth, (Isaiah 9:6 ... of
the wisdom of the world, it is foolishness, a doctrine of humility from the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter v humility is the.htm

How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching ...
... who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility
are to ... penitence, saying Woe unto me that I have held my peace (Isaiah 6:5 ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxv how those are.htm

Christ as an Example of Humility.
... Chapter XVI."Christ as an example of humility. ... [70] Isaiah 53.The reader will observe
how often the text of the Septuagint, here quoted, differs from the ...
/.../chapter xvi christ as an example.htm

An Exhortation to Humility.
... Chapter XIII."An exhortation to humility. Let us therefore, brethren, be
of humble mind, laying aside all haughtiness, and pride ...
/.../chapter xiii an exhortation to humility.htm

Christ as an Example of Humility.
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter XVI."Christ as
an Example of Humility. For ... suggests. [4077] Isaiah 53. ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xvi christ as an example.htm

An Exhortation to Humility.
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter XIII."An Exhortation
to Humility. Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xiii an exhortation to humility.htm

Thirteenth Day. Holiness and Humility.
... Very wonderful is the revelation we have in Isaiah of God, the Holy One, as ... extent
to which this self-will reigns, there can be no true contrition or humility. ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/thirteenth day holiness and humility.htm

That the Grace of Devotion is Acquired by Humility and Self-Denial
... THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER XV That the grace of devotion
is acquired by humility and self-denial. ... (1) 2 Kings 4. (2) Isaiah 60:5. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xv that the grace.htm

Resources
What was the significance of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about conceit / being conceited? | GotQuestions.org

Who was John the Apostle in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Humility: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Humility

Humility is Before Honor

Humility: A Characteristic of Saints

Humility: Abraham

Humility: Afflictions Intended to Produce

Humility: Ahab

Humility: Blessedness of

Humility: Centurion

Humility: Christ an Example of

Humility: Cornelius

Humility: David

Humility: Elihu

Humility: Elisabeth

Humility: Elizabeth

Humility: Excellency of

Humility: Exemplified

Humility: General Scriptures Concerning

Humility: Gideon

Humility: Hezekiah

Humility: Isaiah

Humility: Jacob

Humility: Jeremiah

Humility: Job

Humility: John

Humility: John the Baptist

Humility: Joseph

Humility: Joshua

Humility: Josiah

Humility: Leads to Riches, Honor, and Life

Humility: Manasseh

Humility: Mephibosheth

Humility: Moses

Humility: Necessary to the Service of God

Humility: Paul

Humility: Peter

Humility: Saints should be Clothed With

Humility: Saints should Beware of False

Humility: Saints should Put On

Humility: Saints should Walk With

Humility: Temporal Judgments Averted By

Humility: The Who Have are Greatest in Christ's Kingdom

Humility: The Who Have: Delivered by God

Humility: The Who Have: Enjoy the Presence of God

Humility: The Who Have: Exalted by God

Humility: The Who Have: Heard by God

Humility: The Who Have: Lifted up by God

Humility: The Who Have: Receive More Grace

Humility: The Who Have: Regarded by God

Humility: The Who Have: Upheld by Honor

Humility: Want of, Condemned

Humility: Woman of Canaan

The Humility of Christ: Declared by Himself

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Associating With the Despised

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Becoming a Servant

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Birth

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Death

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Entry Into Jerusalem

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Exposing Himself to Reproach and Contempt

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Obedience

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Partaking of Our Infirmities

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Poverty

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Refusing Honors

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Station in Life

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Subjection to his Parents

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Ordinances

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Sufferings

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Taking Our Nature

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Washing his Disciples' Feet

The Humility of Christ: His Exaltation, the Result of

The Humility of Christ: On Account of, he Was Despised

The Humility of Christ: Saints should Imitate

Related Terms

Gentleness (17 Occurrences)

Feet (2931 Occurrences)

Washing (56 Occurrences)

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)

Down (12601 Occurrences)

Meekness (14 Occurrences)

Gentle (48 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Patience (59 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Humility (20 Occurrences)

False (303 Occurrences)

Simon (75 Occurrences)

Ones (687 Occurrences)

Handmaid (77 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Victoriously (1 Occurrence)

Vain-glory (3 Occurrences)

Vainly (4 Occurrences)

Know (8133 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Natures (12 Occurrences)

Neglecting (6 Occurrences)

Upholdeth (8 Occurrences)

Unspiritual (6 Occurrences)

Urge (34 Occurrences)

Opposed (23 Occurrences)

Overflowing (54 Occurrences)

Opposes (7 Occurrences)

Jude (4 Occurrences)

Lowly (29 Occurrences)

Galilee (73 Occurrences)

Gird (44 Occurrences)

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)

Will-worship (1 Occurrence)

Implanted (3 Occurrences)

Idle (33 Occurrences)

Indulgence (3 Occurrences)

Filth (21 Occurrences)

Filthiness (16 Occurrences)

Feeling (59 Occurrences)

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Fleshly (15 Occurrences)

Factiousness (1 Occurrence)

Teaches (24 Occurrences)

Trials (11 Occurrences)

Treatment (6 Occurrences)

Temptations (9 Occurrences)

Timid (8 Occurrences)

Tolerance (2 Occurrences)

Tested (80 Occurrences)

Resist (23 Occurrences)

Resists (4 Occurrences)

Rob (27 Occurrences)

Restraining (9 Occurrences)

Rigor (8 Occurrences)

Resisteth (3 Occurrences)

Rivalry (8 Occurrences)

Exists (18 Occurrences)

Downwards (2 Occurrences)

Devotion (17 Occurrences)

Dog (19 Occurrences)

Detail (19 Occurrences)

Disqualify (1 Occurrence)

Doorkeeper (8 Occurrences)

Decrees (131 Occurrences)

Moral (5 Occurrences)

Modesty (4 Occurrences)

Malign (6 Occurrences)

Prostration

Puffed (13 Occurrences)

Promoting (2 Occurrences)

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

Plotting (13 Occurrences)

Predestination

Plots (20 Occurrences)

Prostrate (25 Occurrences)

Prize (13 Occurrences)

Humility: Hezekiah
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