Updated Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Bible Studies for Life lesson for April 27: Exploring Humility

By Catherine Painter

Focal Passages: Genesis 32:3, 6-12; 33:1-5, 9-11

The girl in the mall wore a T-shirt stating, "You're right - it is all about me." Her lack of humility identified her either as unsaved or stalled in spiritual infancy. Seeing her, I recalled Marsha, a young woman, four months pregnant with a second child by her second husband. She sought advice whether to divorce him before or after the baby's birth because she was having an emotional affair on the Internet with a man she loved during high school.

"I fantasize all the time," she said.

I shared a list of strongholds - those unrepentant carry-overs from one's pre-Christian life, still unconfessed and unforgiven (see 2 Cor. 10:4).

"Check those that apply," I said. "Unless you're honest I cannot help you."

Studying the list, she wept. From 28 strongholds, she checked 20, all centered in pride.

"You're wearing Satan's armor," I said. "Wear God's armor to shield you from enemy attack" (Eph. 6:10-18).

"Everything's my fault," she cried.

At her request, I prayed forgiveness for each sin she confessed. Months later I saw her again. Her husband held their baby while she watched the older child. All seemed well.

I regard Jacob as a biblical counterpart to Marsha. He cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright, lied and deceived his father to get the blessing, and escaped Esau's wrath by fleeing to his Uncle Laban who also felt his treachery.

Years later Jacob returned home. With Esau coming to meet him with 400 men, Jacob sent the caravan ahead with compliments and cattle as gifts while he spent the night beside the brook Jabbok. Until then, life was all about him. Now, wrestling with an angel, Jacob prevailed, but emerged crippled and humbled.

If in Jacob we see ourselves, Gen. 32:28 becomes our treasure: "Your name shall no more be called Jacob (supplanter) but Israel (Prince)."

Someone said, "I'm glad the Bible calls God the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I would be hopeless if God claimed only Abraham and Isaac." Instead, like fashioning a silk purse from a sow's ear, God fashioned a prince out of a scoundrel, and changed a sinner into a saint. God can and will do it again - for Marsha, the girl in the mall, and for you and me.