April 24
Reading: Proverbs 21
1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.
9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.
13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
16 One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.
19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
20 Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
In Proverbs 21 we read more wise sayings collected by Solomon.
vs. 2 Remember Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Similarly, this proverb states that everyone thinks their own way is right. But God is the one who really knows what is in our hearts. In Proverbs 12 we are encouraged to seek out counsel. Here we are encouraged to look to God to understand our motives.
vss. 3, 7, 15 A major theme of the book of Proverbs is the call to justice. In the Bible the word justice means something different from how some people today use the word. God brings and will bring perfect justice because He is just. With God, justice has two sides. Justice means that the wicked (those who oppose God and His people and who oppress the poor and vulnerable) will be judged and punished. Justice also means that the righteous (those who love God, His people, the poor, and the vulnerable) will be vindicated and blessed forever. The wise person loves justice and seeks to live out God’s justice in how they treat others. The fool is violent and greedy and thinks of himself and those he thinks are on his side. Consider also Proverbs 12:5, 17:23, 19:28, 28:5, and 29:26.
vss. 9, 19 Remember Proverbs 19:13, “a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.” If you are a wife, you might wonder, “What am I supposed to be? A doormat?” No. But neither are you to be argumentative and irritating. Your man might look strong, but he is a vulnerable creature emotionally. Rather than tearing him down, give your advice once and then pray, build, work hard, and support his decisions. Strength is asking good questions in a loving matter, being an encourager, and keeping peace in your home. Your husband will learn to look to you for wisdom.
vs. 21 What are you pursuing?
vs. 26 One difference between the righteous and the wicked is this. The wicked person is always thinking of what he wants and what he can get. The righteous thinks about what he can give to others to bless them.
vs. 30 You cannot out-think God. He really has thought all this world through. He understands everything. You are not going to surprise Him with your plans or amazing intelligence. If you oppose God or violate His commands, you will lose.