Proverbs 30:13 Commentary and Bible Study

How skilfully and with how few words Solomon depicts the proud and haughty. This is the direction of travel of all men and women, for sin causes all to promote self beyond what is sober. For many, circumstances hold them back so that they cannot realise their proud dreams, and their evaluation of themselves is contained within strict limits. But others seem to clear the way before them, and their ambitions soar unrestrained. For these, the true capacity for human haughtiness is seen in all its ugliness. They aspire to great things to which they are not entitled, and they imagine they have climbed the hill of success. Why don’t others recognise their greatness along with them? They will therefore teach the whole world how it ought to regard such important and significant people. They will teach with their eyes by raising their eyes above the rank and file of humanity around them, and setting their gaze on the high places where they alone belong. This gesture is full of significance. Why should they look upon the ignoble masses around them? They have left behind forever such lowly origins and never wish to refer to them again. But the trouble is that the world is filled with many such fantasists. They find that they are not alone as they suppose, but they are in competition with many others like them, and above all they face God who resists the proud. He will allow them to make only so much progress before he dashes them down.