Humpty Dumpty's Boastful Fall (TT)

 According to wikipedia, the earlierst known version of that childhood chant about Humpty Dumpty was,

"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,

Four-score Men and 

Four-score more;

Could not make Humpty

Dumpty where he was

before."

by Samuel Arnold in Juvenile Amusements in 1707.

By the time 1843 had rolled around, it had morphed through various versions to the more well-known one where the ending lines are now,

" ...All the king's horses

and all the king's men

Couldn't put Humpty-

Humpty together again."

Apparently back in the 17th century, Humpty Dumpty was a popular alcoholic drink!  Naturally when overly imbibed it would make the drinker stagger and fall.

I prefer the picture of a large egg sitting on a wall though.  In my imagination Humpty Dumpty is proud of himself and showing off.  He was boasting of his position, wealth and achievement, and even to be able to sit up there on the wall at all!   He thought he had done all by his own successful strength and ability.   He's literallly and figuratively looking down on people passing by.

He really forgot that,

"Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."

And that

"It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud" (Proverbs 16:18 & 19 ESV).

He did not give thanks to the Lord for all he could do and had done and how the Lord had helped him.   

It's a good lesson for us to be wise of heart and to be more humble, meek and mild like Jesus was as He walked upon the earth even though He is the High King of Heaven.  We need to beware of the boasting tongue.

The apostle Paul boasted but in a sarcastic way because the Corinthians must have been boasting.  Paul actually did have a great pedigree and bio data and also persevered through much hardship.  However, after his list of boasting he remarked,

"If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness ..."                                (2 Corinthians 11:30).

Who does that sort of thing? 

And in 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 he wrote,

"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

It was only because the Lord had commended Paul, that he was approved for all his years of ministry, preaching and teaching the gospel and God's Word for edification and building others up to maturity in Christ.

Therefore, as another verse in Proverbs says,

"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips" (Proverbs 27;2).

In a recent Bible study session about giving offerings to the Lord we were reminded that all we have has been given by the Lord in the first place.  All our possessions, wealth, health, talents, skills and abilities, have been given by Him.

Therefore, in thanksgiving and gratitude, we give back to Him according to our capability and willingness of heart.

We do not, or should not, boast of these things.  When others praise us for our accomplishments we should beware not to be puffed up with pride because we too could have a great fall from whence we may not be able to be put back together again.

But for the grace of God, we would not be able to use our 'all' for Him.  Let's give Him the glory and boast about Him.

So be it, Lord.  

Your humble servants say amen.

                                               ~ ERC  April 2025 ~

Based on Proverbs 16:18 & 19 ESV.  Loosely based on 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Chapter 7 The Boasting Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, All My Boast is in Jesus, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.