Midrash sobre Job 24:24

Whence do we find warning against presumptions? Raba, in the name of R. Zera, said: "From the following (Jer. 13, 15) Hear ye, and bend your ear, be not proud." R. Nachman b. Isaac said: "From the following (Deut. 8, 14) then thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, and in the preceding passage it is written. Take heed unto thyself that thou forget not. This is to be explained, as Abin did it in the name of R. Illai; for R. Abin said in the name of R. Illai: "Wherever we find be guarded, lest, or not, a prohibitory law, is introduced." R. Avira expounded, at times in the name of R. Ami, and at other times in the name of R. Assi: "Whoever possesses haughtiness will at the end become little [disreputable] as it is said (Job. 24, 24) They are exalted for a little while. One might assume that he will endure in the world, it therefore says: They are no more. However, if he retracts from his course, he will then pass away from the world in his proper time, as it is said further, yet, they brought low: like all other (Kakol) are they gathered in; i.e., like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, concerning whom it is written the similar word (Gen. 24,) Bakol (Ib., ib. 27) Mikol (Ib., ib. 23) Kol. But, if he does not retract, then (Job. 24, 24) And wither as the tops of the ears of the corn". How is the above passage, And wither as the tops of the ears of corn, to be explained? R. Huna and R. Chisda both explained it. One said that it means like the ears of standing grain, while the other said it refers to the stalk of grain. It is quite evident according to the one who says that it refers to the ear of the standing grain. The passage therefore reads, And wither as the tops of the ears of the corn, but concerning the one who explains that it refers to the stalk of a straw itself, what is the meaning of And wither as the tops of the ears of the corn? Said R. Ashi, and so also are we taught in the college of R. Ishmael: "This may be compared unto a man who went into his field; he picked and plucked out all the tallest [that were fully grown]." So also does the Lord pluck out those that are the tallest (presumptuous). (Is. 57,15) Yet also with the contrite and humble of spirit do I dwell . R. Huna and R. Chisda both explained it; one said: "This means the humble are with Me. [I exalt them.]" The other one, however, says: "I am with the humble [I lower Myself to them.]" The interpretation, "I am with the humble," is more acceptable; for so do we find that the Holy One, praised be He! caused His Shechina to rest on Mt. Sinai, [lowering himself on the hill], but He did not elevate Mt. Sinai. R. Joseph said: "Always shall a man take a lesson from the ethics of his Creator; for the Holy One, praised be He! disregarded all other elevated hills and mountains and caused His Shechina to rest on Mt. Sinai [which is not among the tallest)."