What can we learn about humility from Hazael's actions in 2 Kings 8:9? Setting the scene 2 Kings 8:9 – “So Hazael went to meet Elisha and took with him a gift of forty camel-loads of all the finest goods of Damascus. He went in and stood before him and said, ‘Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, “Will I recover from this illness?”’ ” An outward show of humility • Lavish generosity – “forty camel-loads” suggests great expense and effort. • Deferential language – calling himself “your son” positioned Hazael as a subordinate learner before God’s prophet. • Seeking prophetic counsel – appearing to honor the authority of God’s word through Elisha. Where Hazael’s humility fell short • Hidden motives – vv. 10-15 reveal he was plotting to seize Ben-hadad’s throne; the gift greased the wheels of ambition. • Manipulative posture – humility served as a calculated tactic, not a heart disposition. • Failure to submit – when Elisha foretold his violent rise, Hazael neither repented nor recoiled; instead, he pressed on. What authentic humility looks like • Heart before appearance – “The LORD does not see as man does… the LORD sees the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). • Surrendered motives – “All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed by the LORD” (Proverbs 16:2). • Selfless intent – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). • Transparency with God – genuine humility invites God to expose and correct hidden agendas (Psalm 139:23-24). Bringing it home – Words of deference and impressive gifts cannot substitute for a humble spirit. – We guard against Hazael-like pretense by inviting the Spirit to test our motives before every act of service or generosity. – True humility submits to God’s verdict even when it thwarts personal plans. – God lovingly resists the proud but extends greater grace to the humble (James 4:6). Related Scriptures to ponder Proverbs 27:6 – “The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Matthew 23:27 – “Woe to you… you are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside but are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity inside.” |
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