Proverbs 21

      

         

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."

Proverbs 21:2 "Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts."

Proverbs 21:3 "To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."

Proverbs 21:4 "An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing 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."

 While man can be self-deceived, God determines his true motives.  God wants us to love Him so much that we will do justly and judge righteously: not from being compelled to do so, but because we love Him.   This is speaking of a conceited person so filled up with self that their heart is even stayed on themselves. Pride is a very bad sin.   A diligent worker who thinks constantly of working toward having plenty. People who do not consistently work and try to have something wind up with nothing but want.

                                                             

Proverbs 21:17 "He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich."

Proverbs 21:18 "The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright."

Proverbs 21:19 "[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry 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."

Proverbs 21:23 "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."

Proverbs 21:24 "Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath."

Proverbs 21:25 "The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour."

Proverbs 21:30 "[There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."

Proverbs 21:31 "The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD."

Your judgment is not as good after you have drunk wine and you would be a spendthrift with money needed for other things.    God has always had a sharp separation between the wicked and the righteous.   This is all saying that solitude with little is better than much with a contentious wife.    A wise man is careful in what he uses his money for. He saves for a rainy day and so his needs are taken care of.   But a foolish man spends everything he gets as soon as he gets it and many times even before he gets it.  Talking too much can get you into a great deal of trouble. Words spoken in haste are many times regretted at leisure.   Someone who thinks he knows everything is headed for trouble.   We see in verse 25 someone who will not work but wants everything he sees.   We cannot depend on military power to save us. The Lord is the Savior. He also is our very present help. Whether saving us from the wrath of God by transporting us to heaven, or protecting us while we are here on the earth, the Lord is our only true protection.