PROVERBS Chapter 21 King Of kings 21:1 “Channels of water” Are probably a reference to irrigation canals, such as would be under the control of a farmer. The verse deals with God’s providential workings, rather than God overwhelming the king and forcing him to become a believer. “Tiglath-pileser (Isaiah 10:6,7), Cyrus (Isaiah 41:2-4) and Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:21) are all examples of autocrats who, in pursuing their chosen courses, flooded or fertilized God’s field as He chose. The principle is still in force” (Kidner p. 141). The verse isn’t teaching that everything the king does is approved by God (see Daniel 5). Just as ancient farmers opened and closed water gates to control the flow of irrigation, so God can providentially use even the most pagan rulers to achieve His purposes. For example, think how Cyrus of Persia, for instance, was used by God to effect the return of Israel’s exiles to Palestine (Ezra 1:1ff). While kings, rulers and human administrations may seem to the average person immune from godly influence, God still rules in the kingdoms of men.
Weighed In The Balances 21:2 Same as 16:2. “The contrast between our guessing and God’s knowing is important enough for re-emphasis” (Kidner p. 141). Obviously, God felt that we need to hear this truth more than once. Most people today ignore the teaching found here and place a greater trust in their opinions and feelings than in God’s revelation. Many people feel that their feelings or opinions must be right because such views are their own views and everyone knows that “I” am the most important person in the world! The good news is that with the Scriptures (Hebrews 4:12), we can avoid the trap of fooling ourselves, for God knows us better than we know ourselves. The verse also reminds us that God evaluates our motives (1 Corinthians 13:1ff) and not merely our actions. The philosophy which says that whatever works and gets results is thereby justified forgets that God is much more concerned about motive than mere results.
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God Cannot Be Bought 21:3 What a wonderful truth! The end doesn’t justify the means. God isn’t impressed by outward forms without the internal and moral commitment. Compare with 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Isaiah 1:11,15; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:7-8. Note, too often people try to twist such verses and argue that they are teaching that God prefers warm feelings to obedience. The verse is stressing obedience, when it says “To do”. The verse isn’t teaching that acts of worship are to be avoided; rather, it stresses that religious acts are valueless without righteous living. The verse also reminds us that God isn’t bound to accept every act of worship that is directed toward Him. We are on the wrong road if we try to argue that we can offer whatever we want to God and He must accept us. Doing religious things will not make up for having the wrong attitude or living in sin at the same time.
Lofty Unconcern 21:4 Pride or arrogance is the lamp of wicked people, that is, it is their very life. The Greek text here reads “lamp”, while the Hebrew text reads “plow”, i.e. the plowing of the wicked is sin. The idea might be that even when the wicked do something good or productive like plow a field they still sin because they don’t do it to the glory of God. “The metaphor of the lamp implies that which gives guidance or direction. In describing the ‘haughty eyes’ and ‘proud heart’ as the ‘lamp of the wicked’, the text is saying that the devious are sure of themselves and think that their cunning can guide them through life. Their treachery is a ‘lamp unto their feet’” (Garrett p. 180).
Thoroughness Tells 21:5 “Who is hasty”: This book has often warned against the get-rich-quick mentality (1 Timothy 6:9). In contrast, patience and planning lead to prosperity. “More often than not, says the proverb, it’s better to make plans than throw away time and money on something you haven’t thought through enough” (Alden p. 154). Let us beware of the temptation to make hasty shortcuts.
Ill-gotten, Ill-fated
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21:6 “By a lying tongue” reminds me of dishonest salesmen and the philosophy which says that the only way to succeed in sales is to deceive the customer. “The pursuit of death”: Or “seekers of death”. The thought could be that such people eventually get what they deserve; those who get rich by illegal means will pay for it in the end with their lives.
Their Own Executioners 21:7 Evil has the tendency to boomerang. Eventually they themselves will be dragged away like fish caught in a net. Consider the word “refuse”! Yes, wicked people know the difference between right and wrong, but they refuse to do what is right (Romans 1:32). Sinful behavior isn’t genetic, neither is it completely rooted in ignorance. Such people can help themselves. “They are not passive victims of their crimes or circumstances” (Gaebelein p. 1051).
Clear Conscience, Clear Path 21:8 Once again we are told that outward behavior is a great key to discovering the condition of a person’s heart. “Apply aptly summarizes all that has been said on recognizing honest and dishonest people. It is the simple difference between those who are open and honest and those who try to hide what they are really up to” (Garrett p. 180).
Bigger Isn’t Always Better 21:9 “Simplicity with peace is better than prosperity with strife” (Gaebelein p. 1052). In Palestine the root was used as living space, seeing that such roofs were flat. The verse isn’t advocating divorce, separation, or never marrying. Rather, it is warning us about marrying a certain type of person. A mate who causes strife makes a home unpleasant and undesirable. In our society men and women tend to justify their argumentative behavior at home by saying, “But this is what has enabled me to be successful in the business world”. This verse reminds us that if we don’t have peace in our homes, then we haven’t succeeded. Material possessions mean nothing if there isn’t happiness in our marriage. Sadly, many people seem determined to prove that the above verse is wrong. How many people ignorantly argue, “Give me the wealth first, because I can always buy happiness”?
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Bent On Evil 21:10 A very important truth concerning evil is found in this verse. Men and women can sin not merely from weakness but eagerly and ruthlessly. Compare with Proverbs 4:14-16. The problem with the sinner is not “desire”, but rather that he or she desires the wrong things. “The person who lives to satisfy his craving for evil thinks only of himself” (Gaebelein p. 1052). “His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes”: “You would think even wicked men would treat their neighbors with kindness, yet verse 10 says evil people hate everyone around them. They hate relatives, friends, associates---even themselves. The whole world is an enemy to be outwitted or taken advantage of” (Alden pp. 155-156).
Degrees Of Teachablility 21:11 “How mature one is determines how easily he will learn” (Gaebelein p. 1053). Here we find a good reason to punish criminals, because it is a deterrent, and can be quite the learning tool for the naïve person. In contrast, the wise man is always learning (9:8-9). The frightful thing in this verse is that the person who allows themselves to become a scoffer, has reached a point there learning is almost impossible. Even if punishment doesn’t help the scoffer, it will help the on-looking simple-minded who might have gotten into the same thing. Compare with Acts 5:11. Church discipline may not always bring back the sinner—but the lesson is not lost on many of the on-looking members and their children.
Justice Will Be Done 21:12 The verse might be teaching, “A righteous man observes the house of the wicked, how wickedness brings it to ruin”. Some suggest that the righteous one in this verse is God, Who in turns punishes the house of the wicked. Or, the righteous man doesn’t have to learn the hard way. He or she observes what happens to wicked people and learns from it. The verse should also remind us that evil is often repaid even in this life. So often we tend to see the prosperity of the wicked and fail to note their downfall.
His Turn Will Come
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21:13 Compare with Luke 16:19-31 and Matthew 25:31-46. Those who show no mercy will not obtain mercy. A lot is revealed about the character of a man or woman by how such a person responds to those in need. “Oh, how quickly the tables of life can be turned! Those who refuse to help others today, may stand in need of help tomorrow” (Hunt p. 277). Even in New Testament times, God will cut off physical blessings to those who are greedy (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Gifts And Bribes 21:14 “Here the neutral term gift is coupled with the bad term bribe, a reminder that the boundary between the two is thin at the best of times, and is crossed at this point by the secrecy of the transaction” (Kidner p. 143). The first part of the verse gives the observation that giving someone a gift may help calm a tense situation. “The man who brings flowers or candy (or some other gift) to an angry wife may settle a quarrel better than a thousand logical arguments” (Alden p. 157). Yet the verse does seem to imply that such gift giving can become a tool for evil. The last phrase in this proverb isn’t endorsing bribery, rather it simply states the fact that bribery often works.
Justice—Friend or Foe? 21:15 This verse seriously challenges us to reflect upon our own motives. Do we rejoice when justice is done? Or, do we fear justice? “Justice in action makes good people happy and bad people afraid” (Alden p. 157). The verse gives us an insight into the way that evil people think. Often evil people oppose righteous legislation or preaching, because they know that the next evil to be attacked, is the evil that they are involved in. Evil people tend to ridicule and even try to get around justice.
Those Who Wander Are Lost 21:16 The world argues that those who wander from Biblical truth will find a better way. “Every word of the second line is charged with irony. The rebel, who must roam at will, is only hastening to lose his mobility (shall rest), his independence (in the congregation) and his life (of the dead)” (Kidner p. 144). The verse also reveals that the nonconformist, is actually conforming to the views of the majority. Compare with Matthew 7:13-14. Those who abandon the way of wisdom will not find a better way, rather, they eventually ruin their lives.
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The Price Of Pleasure-Seeking 21:17 Note the contrast in these verses. The righteous man seeks to do the right thing, and finds joy as he does so (15). The pleasure-lover strikes out towards joy itself, and finds poverty. Happiness is simply a by-product of doing the right thing. Those who want a happiness divorced from righteousness are destined to find frustration. The verse also reminds us that more is at stake than just a state of mind. Poverty and hardship will be the lot of the person bent on pleasing themselves. Today our society is filled with people who are suffering because they want to be happy and feel good all the time. A love of pleasure will cause one to live above one’s means.
The Unjust For The Just 21:18 Seems to be promise to good people that someday all the wicked things others have done will serve to set them free. 11:8 notes that righteous men will be rescued from trouble which will instead come upon the wicked. The verse reminds us that when God punishes a community or nation, it is the bad, not the good, that He is directing His anger against. When God punishes wicked people it gives the righteous people a chance in live in a stable society. In the book of Joshua, the punishment of Achan enabled the righteous Israelites to once more be victorious in battle.
Being Single Isn’t That Bad 21:19 Among his many wives, Solomon must have had some who were thorns in his side. The verse reminds us that there are men and women who can ruin your life. Priority number one is marrying someone with character! There are things which are much worse than loneliness!
Preparing For The Rainy Day 21:20 The phrase “Swallows it up” means that the foolish are impatient and insist on having everything today. While the wise man through diligence, restraint, and patience accumulates physical and spiritual wealth. “Wise people plan ahead and so have plenty to eat, while foolish people ‘devour all they have’
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without thinking at all about the future. If you are rich don’t necessarily think you are wise. If you are poor, examine yourself, maybe you have made some stupid moves” (Alden p. 157). Anything worthwhile, physical wealth, or spiritual wealth takes time, dedication, and effort. How many people in our society are living for the moment? How many refuse to save and insist on having everything they want right now?
The Right Strategy 21:21 Compare with Matthew 5:6; 6:33. Being righteous and loyal results in true life, prosperity (with no negative side effects), and honor. “Surely the good life belongs in abundance to those who obey God” (Alden p. 157). Yes, nice guys do finish first!
True Strength 21:22 Here is the truth that wisdom can prevail where brute force fails. An application needs to be made to what really succeeds in spreading the gospel (2 Corinthians 10:4ff). Compare with Ecclesiastes 9:13-16. Yet, how often do Christians feel intimidated by the world, seeing that the world appears to have greater material resources? “Brilliant strategy wins wars, even over apparently insuperable odds” (Gaebelein p. 1056).
Staying Out Of Trouble 21:23 We can bring so much pain and suffering upon ourselves by refusing to control our tongues. Compare with 12:13, 13:3 and James 3.
Portrait Of The Scoffer 21:24 While the scoffer often claims to be open-minded, he or she is actually very closed minded. To such a person ‘searching for truth’ is in reality, ‘searching for an excuse’. Arrogance is behind unbelief. “What a picture to describe the man who sets himself up as his own authority against God!” (Alden p. 158).
The Tyranny Of Desire 7
21:25 “Puts him to death” means “The lazy come to ruin because they desire the easy way out” (Gaebelein p. 1057). The sluggard’s desire is linked with the expression, “his hands refuse to work”—this is his desire! “Living in a world of wishful thinking and not working will bring ruin” (p. 1057). 21:26 While the sluggard is wishing, the righteous man is doing. How many people spend so much energy trying to get out of working? Truly, a life spent trying to get around the truths which govern this world will only end in a life of want. The person who is addicted to desiring the easy life, will never find it. “For he can neither command himself nor escape himself. Contrast with this the outflowing interest and energy of the righteous man” (Kidner p. 145). “Gives and does not hold back”, doesn’t mean that he or she gives to the sluggard (2 Thess. 3:10), but rather that such a person gives of their time, energy, and themselves. The verse infers that the lazy person is basically a very selfish person.
Deadly Worship 21:27 Compare with 15:8. The first line already implies an unrepentant approach. The second line, “must allude to a cynical rather than a thoughtless attitude” (Kidner p. 145). The verse infers that the world is filled with people who attempt to worship God from all sorts of twisted motivations. Some really believe that they can bribe God, or that certain acts will make up for sinful living. Others like to be among believers so they can play the devil’s advocate. Some substitute acts of worship for sincere repentance. To this today many people believe that merely attending or performing some religious act will cover a hypocritical lifestyle.
Accurate Reporting 21:28 The phrase “Who listens to the truth” means, “His first aim is to know and understand, not to grind some ax…..the man who listens is the man worth listening to” (Kidner p. 146). Compare with Acts 17:11. Eventually, false testimony will be revealed for what it is. In the end the only thing left standing, will be the truth.
The Bluff
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21:29 A bold front is no substitute for sound principles. The verse reminds us that wicked people can lie with a brazen face. “Evil men have to put up a front to make people believe them, while what a good man says carries its own weight. In the long run it takes a lot more effort to be dishonest than it does to tell the truth” (Alden p. 159). The verse reminds me of some commercials that are immediately louder that the regular program. To some saying something louder somehow is supposed to make it more believable. Christians should not be intimidated by the bold, loud, and aggressive claims of the opposition. “He makes his way sure”: The righteous man reflects on his conduct, seeking to be honest, nonhypocritical, and consistent.
You Can’t Out Smart God 21:30 The world is filled with people who have attempted to do what the verse says that no man can do. The verse is also saying that no one is wise, bright, or clever who is opposed to the Lord. Wise men, by definition, are on the Lord’s side. Human wisdom has become perverted when it is used against God.
You Can’t Win Without Him 21:31 “If verse 30 warns us not to fight against the Lord, 31 warns us not to fight without Him. It condemns, not earthly resources, but reliance upon them” (Kidner p. 146). Compare with Psalm 20:7; 33:17; 127:1; Isaiah 31:1-3. Human effort as with human wisdom has its limitations. A trained and prepared army can be defeated if God so wills. “The text doesn’t demean practical skills….but it says that all knowledge is hollow without God” (Garrett p. 185).
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