The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory is of the Lord. Proverbs 21:31
21:1 A person can look at a river and think that it is following a random pattern, but the water is following the direction of God’s hand. So is the king. This world’s apparent chaos is God’s work.
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
21:2 in his own eyes: A person’s own defense of his life, manner, or way may convince himself, but the final evaluation belongs to God.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.
21:3 righteous living is more important than sacrifice.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
21:10 Here is a person whose passion is evil; hence, he has no compassion for anyone. Wicked persons typically refuse to think of anyone but themselves.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
21:11 The fool in this text is the worst sort, the scoffer; a person who is simple has enough sense to learn from seeing the scoffer punished. The wise always learn, the simple sometimes learn, but the scoffer is a lost cause.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
21:13 cry himself: A person who is indifferent to people in need will find no one helping him when he calls out for help.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
21:15 Justice is not a heavy obligation that weighs a person down. For the righteous, promoting justice is a joy. For the wicked there is no joy in justice, nor will there be joy in their final end.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
21:16 The assembly of the dead: The term dead is a frightful one, meaning “shades.” Death in these verses may speak of physical death rather than spiritual death.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
21:23 This proverb has a pun on the word “to keep.” If a person guards or “keeps” his mouth, he will keep or preserve his soul. The converse of this is seen in the many troubles a person brings on himself by careless speech.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
21:28 A large number of proverbs focus on the false witness. The problem with a false witness is that his lies pervert justice for others. Even if he lies only once, the lie may be circulated by others.
28 A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
21:30 Usually the proverbs use the word wisdom positively. But in this verse the word is paired with conjurers’ tricks. These tricks have no power over God, as Balaam the pagan prophet discovered in his encounter with the Lord on the plains of Moab (see Num. 22-24). True wisdom can be found only in God.
30 There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord.
21:31 A soldier can do all within his ability to prepare for battle, but in the end no preparation can override God’s power. Victory is in God’s hands.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but victory is of the Lord.
** These verses may sound like a number of rules or formulas to live by. But, we cannot make ourselves practice them, even if we memorize them and even if we know my own life depends on it. Go to battle with the Lord. Then He will do what none of us can.
21 1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
21 He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 A proud and haughty man–“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. 26 He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
28 A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29 A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
30 There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord. 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.
