Proverbs 21 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
Proverbs 21 Short Summary:
Proverbs 21 continues the short proverbs of Solomon that began in chapter 10. Solomon’s proverbs are recorded in Proverbs chapter 10 through chapter 29. These proverbs are typically short and concise statements of wisdom for the medication of the reader.
Proverbs 21 Summary
BREAKDOWN OF PROVERBS - CHART
DEFINITIONS:
Haughty (21:4) – Arrogantly proud; considering yourself superior.
Fretful (21:19) – Feeling or expressing irritability, distress, or unhappiness.
HIGHLIGHTED PROVERBS:
PROVERB #1:
Proverbs 21:3 – “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
God is only interested in a person’s sacrifices (their worship), if they’re living a just and righteous life.
Some people think that as long as they’re going through the external motions of religion God will be pleased with them.
For the people of Israel, that looked like showing up to the Temple a few times a year to offer sacrifices to God.
But the truth was, God didn’t care about their sacrifices if their life wasn’t righteous.
God is only interested in our worship if our lives show we respect Him.
Why would God accept worship off the lips of someone on Sunday when they spend the rest of their week ignoring His commandments?
Don’t mock God by living an unrighteous life and then expect a few words of praise at the church on Sunday morning to get you on His good side.
PROVERB #2:
Proverbs 21:5 – “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
This is a contrast between slow, steady, and diligent work vs. hasty work that is rushed to completion.
The steady diligent worker will build something strong and lasting.
The rushed and hasty worker may finish the job faster, but his work won’t be to the same level of quality.
The work of quality will last for generations, but the rushed work may crumble within one generation.
We humans don’t have a lot of patience. We want things done fast. But the wise man knows some things need to be built slowly.
There are all kinds of applications for this proverb, both in secular work and in our work in the Kingdom of God.
PROVERB #3:
Proverbs 21:9 – “It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.”
Proverbs 21:19 – “It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.”
These verses are kind of humorous, but they contain a valuable lesson for men and women.
Choosing the right person to marry is extremely important, and you should be very particular about who you marry.
Marrying the wrong person can make you miserable, you’ll want to hide in a corner of your house or escape to the desert.
Don’t marry the first person who will have you. Don’t marry someone without evaluating their character. Don’t get married in desperation because you’re getting old. Don’t marry someone because you feel pressured into it. Don’t marry someone who isn’t a Christians and who doesn’t share your values.
Marrying wrong is a disaster, but marrying the right person is a beautiful thing. To ensure you choose wisely, apply the traits of the wise man (discernment, patience, and prudence) when choosing a spouse.
