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A Study of Proverbs 21
October 28, 2007
One of our members requested a study of Proverbs. The twenty-first chapter repeats some points already made and introduces new ones. Laziness leads to poverty and ruin. Pacify anger. Be righteous. Be just. Tell the truth. Help the poor. Watch what you say.
Bernie Parsons
Proverbs Chapter 21
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Load church of Christ 10-28-2007
Proverbs 21:1: “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”
Daniel 2:21: “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:”
Romans 13:1: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
God raises up kings, and takes them down as He pleases.
Proverbs 21:2: “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”
Romans 10:3: “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
God does not take our word for our righeousness—instead, He reads our hearts.
Proverbs 21:3: “To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”
Matthew 12:7: “But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.”
To find truth and deal fairly, and to show mercy, means more to God than rituals.
Proverbs 21:4: “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.”
Haughtiness, arrogance, and the work of the wicked is sin.
Proverbs 21:5: “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.”
Careful planning and perseverance lead to prosperity while haste leads to poverty.
Proverbs 21:6: “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.”
Those who seek wealth by lying are wasting their time and are headed for death.
Proverbs 21:7: “The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.”
The wicked take what is not theirs, and will be destroyed because they are unjust.
Proverbs 21:8: “The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. “
A vile man walks a crooked way, while the pure follows that which is right.
Proverbs 21:9: “It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.”
Self-explanatory: A small, far corner is better than a big house with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 21:10: “The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. “
A wicked man desires evil, and so shows no kindness to his neighbor.
Proverbs 21:11: “When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.”
The simple learns when the mocker is punished. The wise man accepts knowledge.
Proverbs 21:12: “The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.”
The righteous man knows that God overthrows the wicked, and so does no wickedness.
Proverbs 21:13: “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”
One who shuts his ears to the poor will find others shutting him out when he needs help.
Proverbs 21:14: “A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.”
A secret gift turns away anger, and a secret payment calms strong wrath.
Proverbs 21:15: “It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.”
Matthew 7:23: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
The just rejoice in truth and justice, while workers of iniquity are destroyed by it.
Proverbs 21:16: “The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.”
Without proper understanding, a man lives among the dead.
Proverbs 21:17: “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”
A man addicted to pleasures, such as wine and rich food, will be poor.
Proverbs 21:18: “The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.”
The wicked and sinners will be replaced by the righteous.
Proverbs 21:19: “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.”
Better to live in waste places rather than with an angry, quarrelsome woman.
Proverbs 21:20: “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”
The wise lays up treasure and oil, while the foolish quickly wastes it.
Proverbs 21:21: “He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.”
As it says. The righteous and merciful achieve life, righteousness, and honor.
Proverbs 21:22: “A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.”
A wsie man can overcome and conquer a strong, confident city.
Proverbs 21:23: “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
One who guards what he says keeps himself from unnecessary trouble.
Proverbs 21:24: “Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.”
One who shows proud wrath gains the name of a proud and haughty mocker.
Proverbs 21:25: “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.”
A lazy man will starve himself to death.
Proverbs 21:26: “He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.”
The covetous desires ever more, but the righteous readily share with others who need.
Proverbs 21:27: “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?”
The sacrifice of the wicked is hated, and even more so if done with evil intentions.
Proverbs 21:28: “A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.”
A false witness shall be ruined, while a just man will speak the truth.
Proverbs 21:29: “A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.”
The wicked man rejects counsel, but the upright establishes his way in righteousness.
Proverbs 21:30: “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”
Basically, don’t argue with God—you will lose every time!
Proverbs 21:31: “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.”
Warriors rely on their battle horses, but God provides true safety when we trust Him.
