Solomon continues to emphasize the way wise people guard themselves against the consequences of foolishness and unrighteousness. If we are wise, we will protect ourselves by doing these four things.
A.
Be Wise And Prepare For The Future: Do Not Be Foolish And Shortsighted (V. 20).
The
future is uncertain; therefore, those who are wise will prepare and save for
the unexpected. In this proverb, the second statement reveals the full meaning
of the first: the wise do not have treasure and oil stored in
their houses because they are wealthy but because they have diligently saved.
Foolish people consume everything they have and spend everything they earn.
They do not practice self-discipline or good stewardship.
Saving
not only prepares the wise for the future but also provides them with things
that frivolous spenders can never afford. The wise have precious (desired)
treasure and oil stored in their houses. These are the finer things that nearly
all people want but many never enjoy. Again, the subject of the proverb is a
wise person, not a wealthy one. Through hard work, good stewardship, and
self-discipline, the wise are blessed with savings and possessions. They are
prepared for the future.
Ø “They that were foolish took
their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels
with their lamps” (Mt.25:3-4).
Ø “That I may cause those that love me to
inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures” (Pr.8:21).
Ø “The crown of the wise is their
riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly” (Pr.14:24).
B.
Pursue Righteousness And Love: You Will Be Filled With Life, Righteousness, And
Honor (V. 21).
Living
righteously is another factor that contributes to the prosperity of the wise.
Notice the treasures in this proverb: life, righteousness, and honor.
The wise enjoy both the temporal things that money can buy and the priceless
things that make life truly meaningful. These treasures belong to those who
pursue or chase righteousness and love. To show mercy (chesed) is to
show a faithful, steadfast, covenant love. But note while loyalty and
sacrificial love in relationships with others add much to life, it is
faithfulness to God that is in view here. These incomparable riches are
reserved for those who walk faithfully with God, those who pursue His
righteousness.
Ø “Blessed are they which do
hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Mt.5:6).
Ø “But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mt.6:33).
Ø “He hath showed thee, O man, what is
good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Mic.6:8).
C.
Trust Wisdom, Not Physical Strength: Wise, Godly Character Will Conquer The
Fortresses Of The Wicked (V. 22).
Wisdom
also infuses people with a strength that is greater than physical might. The
words of this proverb paint a powerful, vibrant picture:
⇒By
its very definition the word city (‘iyr) projects strength. “None of our
modern terms such as city, town, or village adequately convey the meaning or
the mental picture contained in this word…The primary distinction between a
city and a village is that the former generally had a wall…The importance of
cities [in Israel] lay in the resistance they could offer to aggressors because
of their fortifications, in the protection, they could give to their
inhabitants.” The following Scripture illustrates this well:
Ø “All these cities were fenced
with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many” (De.3:5).
⇒Mighty (gibbor) speaks of great military
strength. It is a city guarded by many great warriors—experienced champions in
warfare.
⇒It
is a city that is regarded as a great fortress or stronghold (‘oz, strength
in KJV). Its residents live in ease and security, certain they cannot be
invaded because of its strength.
Who
is it that scales the heavily guarded walls of this fortified city and brings
it down? It is not a great military general with a powerful, well-equipped army
but a wise man. Wise individuals—those who fear the Lord—possess a strength that
is unmatched by any military power. God hears the cries of those who truly
trust (fear) Him. He empowers them to conquer all that opposes and stands
against them.
Ø “Now unto him that is able to do
exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that worketh in us” (Ep.3:20).
Ø “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask
of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him” (Jas.1:5).
Ø “Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more
than ten mighty men which are in the city” (Ec.7:19).
Ø “Now there was found in it a poor wise
man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city, yet no man remembered that same
poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless, the
poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard” (Ec.9:15-16).
D.
Control Your Tongue: It Will Keep You Out Of Trouble (V. 23).
Wise
people protect themselves by guarding their speech. They recognize the power of
words and are able to discern what they should and should not say. By
controlling their tongues, they spare themselves the stress caused by foolish
speaking. Troubles (tsarah) speaks of the emotional and mental anguish
caused by problems. Note that the verb keeps or guards (shamar)
is repeated in this proverb. By guarding their mouths, people automatically
guard their lives from trouble.
Ø “For in many things we offend all. If
any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able
also to bridle the whole body” (Jas.3:2).
Ø “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth;
keep the door of my lips” (Ps.141:3).
Ø “The wicked is snared by the
transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble” (Pr.12:13).
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Application
The
fruit of wisdom cannot be overrated. This short set of proverbs highlights five
individual benefits that come to those who obey God’s Holy Word and live
righteously, benefits such as…
Pursuing
righteousness and being faithful to God is the key to all these blessings (v. 21). If we will make righteous living a
priority in our lives, we will be unusually blessed by God. He will honor us,
provide for our needs, and fill us with overflowing joy.
Ø “Blessed are they which do
hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Mt.5:6).
Ø “But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mt.6:33).
Ø “For bodily exercise profiteth little:
but godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that
now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Ti.4:8).
Ø “This is a faithful saying and
these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed
in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and
profitable unto men” (Tit.3:8).
Ø “Say ye to the righteous, that it
shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their
doings” (Is.3:10).
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The
Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Proverbs, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries
Worldwide, 2012), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "F. The Duties of
the Wise and the Righteous (Part 6), 21:1-31".
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