Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 15:25, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
American Standard Version
Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.
World English Bible version
Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow's borders intact.
Proverbs 15:25 Meaning & Commentary
The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. – Proverbs 15:25 (ESV)
This verse in Proverbs 15:25 contrasts proud people and how The Lord ‘responds’ to them with widows. Why would The Bible use widows as an example? Widows are amongst the most vulnerable members of society. They often cannot fend for themselves, and we are exhorted in the New Testament to honor widows: 1 Timothy 5:3 – Honor widows who are truly widows. To honor essentially means to esteem someone very highly. However, when we look at the first part of Proverbs 15:25, we see that The Lord tears down the house of the proud. This does not mean that the literal house where they live is torn down – instead, this symbolizes and speaks of their life.
Jesus compared our lives to building a house: Matthew 7:24 – Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. We also know that God resists the proud; however, He gives grace to the humble: James 4:6 -But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Furthermore, we know that if The Lord is not in what we do or build – we are wasting our time: Psalm 127:1 – Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. When we build our lives in pride, and without God, what we do will not stand nor have any lasting fruit! However, the eyes of The Lord are on those who are vulnerable, humble, and have no one to take care of them, such as a widow.
Application
How can we apply Proverbs 15:25 to our lives?
Each one of us is responsible for humbling ourselves; it is not God’s responsibility – neither is it other people’s responsibility. This is why The Bible tells us to humble ourselves; it is a personal decision that we each need to make: 1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Furthermore, whatever we set our hands to, we need to ensure that God’s hand is on it; otherwise, we are building without God, and when we do that – it is bound to fail. How do we humble ourselves? It is about how we think and inclining our thoughts to God’s word. The more we get the word of God into our hearts, the word Christlike we become, and Christ is formed in us: Galatians 4:19 – my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! Furthermore, when we encounter people who are vulnerable, downtrodden, or ‘down and out’ in life, we need to respond just as The Lord would do.
The Bible says that God maintains the widow’s boundaries, which symbolizes that He cares for them, lifts them up, protects them, and watches over them. Therefore, this is just how we should treat such people as well! When we care for someone in The Kingdom of God who cannot care for themselves, it is as if we are doing it for God himself:
Matthew 25:37-40 – Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word, which reveals Your heart and intentions toward me and others. I choose today to humble myself under Your mighty hand. Please guide and lead me, and let everything I do bring glory to Your name. I ask that You bring those who are downtrodden and cast out across my path. Help me to love and care for them, just as You do. I ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
