…as Chapter 21 wraps up. Here, we continue our look at Proverbs 21, with the final six verses. You will no doubt recall that when we left off last week, we were amid a rather large collection of proverbs that deal with very practical everyday life advice from the wise. Here are the final verses in this chapter:

²⁶ All day long he craves for more,
    but the righteous give without sparing.

This verse reflects two ways to live with reference to material things: (1) how can one get more for himself even at others’ expense? and (2) how can one help others who are in need? The first majors on selfishness, the second on service. Psalm 37:26 and Psalm 112:9 blesses the giver.

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—
    how much more so when brought with evil intent!

The first statement is also found in Proverbs 1523. God does not want people to substitute religious rites for actual righteousness: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (I Samuel 15:22). Thus, God deplores the sacrifice of people who are not trying to live right (Jeremiah 6:20; Amos 5:22; Isaiah 1:ll-15). To bring a sacrifice with a “wicked mind” must be to bring it with some motive to deceive God or to “buy God off” because of some sin being persisted in or because of some illegitimate gain from which he is bringing the sacrifice.

²⁸ A false witness will perish,
    but a careful listener will testify successfully.

Very similar to Proverbs 19:5, 9, both of which say, “A false witness shall not be unpunished.” “will testify successfully” in the second statement stands over against “shall perish” in the first, meaning that the true witness (one who speaks what he knows through his own seeing and hearing) will not be executed for perverting justice through lying such as will befall the false witness.

²⁹ The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their ways.

Another contrast between the wicked and the upright in which the wicked hardens his face instead of repenting and having his ways established like the upright. This continued wickedness will bring destruction. After showing the prosperity of the righteous. (cf. Psalm 1:4-6)

³⁰ There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
    that can succeed against the Lord.

God may allow many things that are wrong to happen (until judgment), but when there is a known showdown between God and the forces of unrighteousness, His opposition always comes out on the short end. Aaron’s rod that miraculously became a snake ate up those of Pharaoh’s magicians (Exodus 7:lO-12). When they tried to duplicate the plagues brought upon the land by Moses, they finally had to give up and acknowledge the supremacy of God (Exodus 8: 19). Baal lost out to Jehovah on Mt. Carmel (I Kings 18:26-39). The people of Samaria could see the difference between Simon the sorcerer’s fake miracles and Philip’s genuine ones (Acts 8:6-13). Herod of Acts 12 began laying hands on the apostles, killing James and intending to do the same to Peter (v. 1-3). But before the chapter was over, Herod was dead (v. 21-23), and the very next verse shows God’s triumph: “But the word of God grew and multiplied” (v. 24). As 1 Cor. 13:8 says, we cannot really do anything against the truth.

³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but victory rests with the Lord.

Horses were used in Bible days for war and not for agricultural purposes. This verse shows that even if horses were used (representing human military might), Israel’s victory really came from God and not the human elements. (Cf. Psalms 20:7; 33:17; Isaiah 31:1; Psalm 3:8.