UASV’s Daily Devotional All Things Bible, Friday, March 28, 2025

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Why Does Jehovah Exalt the Humble and Humble the Proud?

Matthew 23:12 states, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” These words were spoken by Jesus as part of His scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees. The entire chapter of Matthew 23 exposes the hypocrisy, arrogance, and misguided priorities of these religious leaders, who sought the praise of men while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. This verse summarizes a fundamental principle in God’s kingdom: those who seek to elevate themselves through pride, ambition, or pretense will ultimately be brought low, while those who adopt a posture of humility will be honored by Jehovah.

The first clause, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled,” serves as a warning against the sin of pride. The Greek verb for “exalt” (hypsoō) means to lift up, elevate, or raise to a higher rank. In this context, it refers to self-promotion, seeking status, and pursuing recognition from others. The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of precisely this. In Matthew 23:5–7, Jesus describes their behavior: “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues.” Their outward displays of religiosity were not motivated by a desire to glorify Jehovah but by a craving for human applause and admiration.

This pursuit of self-glory inevitably leads to humiliation and judgment. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Similarly, Proverbs 29:23 declares, “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.” The Pharisees, who had positioned themselves as the spiritual elite of Israel, would ultimately face the devastating consequences of their pride. Their rejection of the Messiah led to the downfall of their religious system, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 C.E.

Jehovah’s consistent pattern throughout Scripture is to bring down the proud. King Nebuchadnezzar learned this firsthand when he was stripped of his kingdom and driven to live like an animal until he acknowledged that “the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:32). Similarly, in Acts 12:21–23, Herod Agrippa was struck down by an angel of Jehovah for accepting praise that belonged only to God. These historical examples serve as stark reminders that pride is not merely a personal flaw—it is a rebellion against Jehovah’s authority and an invitation for divine judgment.

The second clause, “those who humble themselves will be exalted,” presents the opposite principle: Jehovah elevates those who lower themselves in genuine humility. The Greek word for “humble” (tapeinoō) means to bring low, to make oneself small, or to adopt a lowly position. Humility is not self-degradation or false modesty—it is an honest recognition of one’s dependence on Jehovah and a willingness to submit to His will. It is the attitude that says, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

True humility leads to exaltation, but not in the way the world understands. Those who humble themselves may not receive earthly honor or recognition, but Jehovah promises to lift them up in His time and according to His purposes. James 4:10 echoes this truth: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” Likewise, 1 Peter 5:6 exhorts believers, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” Exaltation may come in this life through spiritual growth, increased usefulness in God’s kingdom, or greater influence for His glory. However, the ultimate exaltation occurs at the final judgment, when the faithful will be raised to eternal life and glorified with Christ (Romans 8:17).

The supreme example of this principle is Jesus Himself. Philippians 2:5–9 describes how Christ, though fully divine, “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” Jesus’ perfect humility led to His ultimate exaltation, and He calls His followers to imitate this pattern of self-denial and servanthood (Matthew 20:26–28).

In practical terms, humility involves submitting to God’s Word, recognizing one’s dependence on Him, serving others without seeking recognition, and avoiding the temptation to compare oneself to others. It means being teachable, open to correction, and willing to put the needs of others before one’s own. Romans 12:3 advises, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.” A humble person is more concerned with glorifying Jehovah than promoting self.

Ultimately, Matthew 23:12 teaches that Jehovah resists the proud and honors the humble. This principle is not an arbitrary rule but a reflection of His perfect justice and sovereignty. Those who seek their own glory will inevitably face judgment and disgrace, while those who submit to Jehovah with humility and reverence will be honored in His presence. This truth should lead all who follow Christ to walk in humility, trusting that Jehovah will exalt them in His perfect timing and for His eternal purposes.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).