Proverbs 21
"Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice"(verses 2-30).
Every man's way seems right to him. To him it is the best option to get him ahead and provide security. Or it could be what he feels is the right thing to do. But in all things, God weighs the heart of a man. God knows the motivation behind the action. He knows if it is done for selfish gain, or selfless sacrifice. And God desires a life lived righteously more than anything else. He desires that justice be carried out more than sacrifices. God has placed leaders in authority so that they can care for, protect, and lead the people. It is part of their power, and responsibility, to carry out justice to make sure the rights and lives of the people are protected. And God will not overlook leaders who misuse, or fail to use, the power He has entrusted to them for the good of the people.
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, because they refuse to act with justice. The way of a guilty man is crooked, but as for the pure, his conduct is upright" (verses 5-8).
The plans of the diligent lead to advantage. They take time to prepare. They learn and study the situation. To the best of their abilities they know what they are getting into, and because of this they gain an advantage. They come out ahead because of the work they have put into it. But those who rush into things, who don't examine the situation, who move on impulse, end up losing. Something sounds good and the go for it, not seeing if it is true or not.
Treasure that is going dishonestly does not last. As easily as it came, it goes. In the end it leads to death and destruction. The temporary comfort is not worth the price that must be paid. And in the same way, violence consumes those who practice it. Whether literally, or figuratively, it will consume you. And those who live running from justice cannot escape it forever. One day, either in this life or the next, they will stand before a judge and receive sentencing for their actions. The guilty walk a crooked path. They hide from the light, trying to conceal what they have done, hoping that no one sees. But the pure, who live with nothing to hide, they walk in the light, unashamed. They conduct themselves so as to be presentable to God.
"He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered" (verse 13).
If we ignore those in need, when we find ourselves there, we too will be ignored. God blesses us so that we in turn can bless others. We are blessed to be a blessing, not to arrange for our comfort. Those who have it in their power to act, have the responsibility to act. We all can do something, and it is crucial that we do.
"The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, but is terror to the workers of iniquity. A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich." (verses 15-17).
Do you fear justice? Why? Romans says, "For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil" (13.2-4). Justice is joy for the righteous, because justice makes the world a safer place. It says to evil, "This is not ok. This will not be tolerated. This will not go unpunished." When justice is enforced those who carry out iniquity will be afraid.
When a man leaves the road of understanding, when he ceases to seek wisdom, he will take his place among the dead. This entire book talks about the pursuit of wisdom and how it leads to life. It must be a lifelong pursuit. And when we turn away from the quest of wisdom in pursuit of ease and comfort, we lose everything. Pleasure consumes wealth. When we are focused on pleasures that we don't need we can never gain. When we spend more than we can afford to, and more than we need to, we dig a hole that is nearly impossible to climb out of.
"He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor" (verse 21).
When we pursue God, and the things of God we find the life that He created us to live. There is a right standing relationship with God, and honor from God.
"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, how much more when he brings it with evil intent!" (verse 27)
But what the wicked brings before God is an abomination. It is brought out of obligation, or maybe in an attempt to bribe God. It doesn't work, and God rejects it because it is offered with evil intent.
"A wicked man displays a bold face, but as for the upright, he makes his way sure. There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the LORD" (verses 29-30).
The wicked puts up a brave front, but the upright walks confidently in God. God is the only source of unshakeable confidence. Apart from Him there is nothing. There is no wisdom without Him because He is the source of wisdom. There is no understanding without Him because He is the standard of truth. And without these there is no counsel. Nothing can overcome or overrule God. He is on high, and those who walk before Him in righteousness will live.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
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