# 31 2023 Prov. 21:21.Righteousness and Love! Read all of chapter twenty one first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story! Do you believe that this is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Proverbs 21:21 “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honer.
Proverbs 21 puts emphasis on personal conduct in God’s eyes. Up to now Proverbs are a series of two line couplets mostly of opposing ways of living. But starting in chapter 15 some couplets begin to compliment each, one line reinforcing the other. In this chapter we start to see two couplets supporting one subject (see vs.25,26).
Vs.1-3 The heart! “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart… A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Are our hearts in God’s hand?
Vs.4-8 Sin! “Haughty eyes and a proud heart…”. Haste compared to diligence. “A fortune made by a lying tongue… a deadly snare… for they refuse to do what is right. The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.” Are we leading innocent and upright lives?
Vs.9-15 Others! “Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” Or with a quarrelsome husband. “The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them”. Those punished gain wisdom and knowledge. “The righteous one” is the down fall of “the wicked… Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. A gift given in secret… a bribe concealed…” will not produce righteousness. “Justice… joy to the righteous… terror to evildoers.” Do we treat others better than ourselves, Phil. 2:2-4?
Vs.16-24 Personal actions! “Whoever strays from the path of prudence…” is in danger of death. “Whoever loves pleasure will become poor… The wicked become a ransom for the righteous” in God’s time. “Better to live in a desert…” The burden of a quarrelsome wife or husband is repeated here for emphasis. “The wise… and fools” are compared here, in relation to sustenance. “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” The main theme of this chapter. “One who is wise can go up against…” what ever befalls them. “Those who guard their mouths…” avoid calamity. “The proud and arrogant person- ‘Mocker.’” How is our personal life and world view?
Vs. 25,26 One of The sayings of the wise! “The craving of a sluggard… his hand refuse to work… he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.”
Vs.27-31 Serving God! “The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable… A false witness will perish… The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” How is our daily worship?
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