Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Proverbs 21:20-25 Wisdom for the Future

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Proverbs 21:20–25

[20] Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling,

but a foolish man devours it.

[21] Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

[22] A wise man scales the city of the mighty

and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

[23] Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue

keeps himself out of trouble.

[24] “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man

who acts with arrogant pride.

[25] The desire of the sluggard kills him,

for his hands refuse to labor. (ESV)

Wisdom for the Future

v.20 This proverb concerns the difference in foresight between the wise and the foolish. The wise have the foresight to look to the future and store up provisions for it. The fool consumes everything now with no eye for the future. This not only applies to material things but, connecting with the next verse, pertains to spiritual things as well. Think of the parable of the rich fool for Jesus' teaching on the matter (Luke 12:13-21). The fool lacks the ability to consider his immortal soul and will be found lacking on judgment day (revisit Proverbs 21:16-17).

v.21 Connected to the previous verse, this proverb encourages foresight. The one who pursues righteousness and kindness will discover that they are found only in Christ. Once found, he receives three things: the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is always life and salvation, and they are found in the Means of Grace, the Word and the Sacraments.

v.22 This proverb touts the superiority of Divine Wisdom in military terms (see also Proverbs 24:5-6; 31:10; Ecclesiastes 9:13-16). God's Wisdom enables one to fight and prevail in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18). A wise soldier uses sound strategy and can overcome a force superior in numbers. The insight granted by God's Wisdom can overcome the apparent strength of the world (1 Samuel 17:1-51). The greatest victory is that over death through the power of Christ's resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:26, 54-57).

v.23 This proverb is a restatement of the eighth commandment "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." The Wise think before they speak and do not say what is harmful or false about others, and therefore avoid the trouble and blowback such words cause for themselves and others.

v.24 People who mock others do so in arrogance, thinking themselves above others. He is in love with his own opinions and judgment to the point that he makes it his god instead of God's Wisdom directing his attitude.

v.25 The lazy fool desires comfort in the here and now, which will eventually lead him to ruin because he does not work for the future. The Wise works hard in the here and now to be comfortable at a later time. Like many such proverbs, this refers not only to temporal things but especially to heavenly things. The fool might acknowledge God but puts off trying to live a Godly life and focus on his faith for his comfortable hedonistic pleasure now, only to find that suddenly the race is over, and he had no real faith at all. The Wise always has their eye on Christ and His return on the last day.