Proverbs 21 reminds me that, in addition to every other job, Solomon was a judge over Israel. What follows is his insight about motivation and outcome. He begins by declaring that every one of us is subject to God’s authority, and he notes, “A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart“. He says God desires us “To do what is right and just” noting that “is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice“. In fact, he says later in the chapter, “The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable“. Sin is not balanced out by a good deed, or a gift, or a confession. You cannot live like the devil six days and honor God on the seventh. Real forgiveness produces more than an outward change, it changes our internal motivation. Solomon points to the root cause of all crime, “Haughty eyes and a proud heart the unplowed field of the wicked“. We are so easily distracted by what others have that sometimes we neglect what we should be doing. He notes, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit“. In contrast, “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor… a deadly snare“. Solomon adds, “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife“.It seems that if our sole focus is wealth, our heart is left empty, “The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy“. Is your heart full today?
Next he provides a ray of hope for those of us that have lost our way, “the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge“. Are you too proud to listen? We all have the capacity to change. “The Righteous Onetakes note… When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers“. He describes the home of one focused on selfish pleasure, and notes he will end up with the opposite. “Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich“. Don’t miss his emphasis, he is not saying we can’t enjoy life, he notes that”fools gulp theirs down“. He adds another picture from this kind of home, “It is better to live in a desert than with a contentious and nagging wife“. A pleasure not shared creates hollow loneliness.
Solomon has a word of godly insight for those in full-throttle chase after pleasure, “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperityand honor“. This is so contrary to some people that it makes them mad. He says it will “pull down the stronghold in which they trust“. And they react “with insolent fury“. The venom of the late night crowd is always more tame in the morning. Solomon observes, “The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more“. Pursuing pleasure at all cost can also leave our pockets empty. “The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways“. Jesus is our example of being “others-centered”. Ephesians 5:25 exhorts, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her“. Later in Ephesians, the apostle adds the reaction of his wife to sacrificial love, “and the wife must respect her husband“. I personally believe this is not coercion, but a result. This kind of love is irresistible! Solomon ends with a lecture to anyone not convinced, “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord“. Are you tired of falling short on your own? He concludes, “Victory rests with the Lord“. May the Holy Spirit of God fill you to overflowing today!