Proverbs

Proverbs 21: Victory belongs to the LORD

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the king’s heart in the LORD’s hand, let us seek Him together. Ask Him to weigh our hearts and teach us obedience that reaches beyond outward worship.

All Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king; for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice.

1 Kings 3:28

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to depend on Your rule and love what is right. Open our eyes to Jesus and expose the pride we hide behind religious habits. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand, and He weighs hearts that people consider right. Righteousness and justice please Him more than sacrifice, while the offering brought with a wicked mind is hateful to Him. Greedy gain, refusal to hear the poor and wandering from understanding lead to punishment and death. Two sayings picture the misery of sharing a house with a contentious woman. The wise store resources, speak carefully and give freely, while the lazy person’s desire kills him and false witnesses perish. No counsel can stand against the LORD, and preparation for battle cannot supply the victory He gives.

As you read Proverbs 21, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD rules every heart and gives the victory, and righteousness pleases Him more than sacrifice.

A ruler may command many people, yet his own heart remains in the LORD’s hand. The watercourse picture shows how easily God can turn its direction. Preparing the horse for battle is proper work, yet victory belongs to God. The same dependence rules worship, because an offering cannot cover a life that refuses justice. Closing our ears to the poor brings the sober warning that our own cry will go unheard. The wicked becoming a ransom means they meet the trouble from which the righteous are delivered. Their suffering does not pay for the righteous person’s sins. This chapter joins trust in God’s rule with honest dealing, generosity and a restrained tongue.

How does Proverbs 21 show us that the LORD rules every heart and gives the victory, and righteousness pleases Him more than sacrifice?

God rules hearts and gives the victory.

The king’s heart can be turned as a watercourse is turned. No wisdom or counsel can defeat the LORD. Prepared horses therefore give no reason to boast in human strength.

God values righteousness above a wicked person’s offering.

An outward sacrifice cannot make injustice pleasing to the LORD. Refusing the poor person’s cry brings a warning of unanswered cries. The righteous person gives freely instead of coveting all day.

Memorise

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:3

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what outward act am I using to hide my need for Jesus?

“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.” Our religious acts cannot excuse the sins we choose to keep. The LORD weighs what lies behind them.

Jesus gave the sacrifice that no sinful worshiper could supply. At the cross He carried the sins of His people and suffered judgment for them. Death could not keep Him, and He rose again. No one can add to the salvation His finished sacrifice secured.

Turn from sin and believe in Jesus Christ. Come without using good habits to defend a guilty heart. Everyone who trusts Him receives forgiveness through His death. The Lord who gives victory can turn hearts to seek Him and love righteousness.

Parent's note

Tell your children that attendance, giving and family worship cannot cover a heart that refuses God. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His rule over hearts and His righteous judgment of our worship. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;

1 Corinthians 1:27

Lord, thank You that every victory rests in Your hands. Please forgive the pride that trusts preparation more than You. Lead us to Jesus with honest repentance. Teach us to hear the poor, give generously and seek righteousness in our daily work and worship. Amen.