Appendix 3. Ways the Jews Humbled Themselves


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Forty years in the wilderness were designed as a humbling experience to force the Israelites to learn to rely on God's provision (Deuteronomy 8:2-3). Historically, Jews had a number of outward acts that indicated that they were humbling themselves. Many of these are culturally specific, others more general.

  • Taking off shoes or sandals.371
  • Bowing low, prostrating oneself.372
  • Fasting.373
  • Beating one's breast.374
  • Tearing one's clothes.375
  • Wearing sackcloth and ashes.376
  • Weeping, mourning.377
  • Confession, acknowledgement of one's sins, and repentance.378
  • Renewing the covenant.379
  • Desecrating and destroying idols and objects of sin.380
  • Correcting injustice.381

Humility: Disciple's Guide to a Humble Life, by Ralph F. Wilson
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I'm sure you can think of others. The scripture verses in the footnotes can be multiplied many-fold. Humbling ourselves voluntarily is central to faith and Christian living.

End Notes

References and Abbreviations

[371] Exodus 3:5; 5:15.

[372] 2 Samuel 16:4; Deuteronomy 9:18; Genesis 42:6; etc.

[373] Ezra 8:21; 1 Kings 21:27-29; Psalm 69:10; Jonah 3:5.

[374] Luke 18:13.

[375] Ezra 9:3-5; 2 Chronicles 34:27; 2 Kings 22:19.

[376] 1 Kings 21:27-29; Psalm 69:11; Esther 4:3; Psalm 35:13-14; Isaiah 58:5-6; Jonah 3:5.

[377] 2 Chronicles 34:27; James 4:9; 2 Kings 22:19.

[378] Ezra 9:6ff; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9; Luke 18:13.

[379] 2 Kings 23.1-4; Nehemiah 8.

[380] 2 Kings 23:4-16.

[381] 2 Chronicles 34:31; Isaiah 58:5-6.

Humility: Disciple's Guide to a Humble Life

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