Proverbs 21:3

To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. TO DO JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT (IS) MORE ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD THAN SACRIFICE. Moral precepts are the end, positive precepts are the means. Both must be obeyed; but the end is more important than the means. To substitute ceremonial obedience for moral is rank hypocrisy (; Micah 6:7)....

Verse Proverbs 21:3. _TO DO JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT_] The words of Samuel to Saul. 1 Samuel 15:23....

Compare the marginal reference. The words have a special significance as coming from the king who had built the temple, and had offered sacrifices that could not be numbered for multitude” 1 Kings 8:5....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 21:1 THE KING'S HEART IS IN THE HAND OF THE LORD, AS THE RIVERS OF WATER. We are to think of the little channels used for irrigation. As these are altogether under the gardener's control, so the heart of the king, who might seem to have no superior, is directed by God. HE TURNETH IT WHITHERSOEVER HE WILL. By hidden influences and providential arrangements God disposes the monarch to order his government so as to carry out his designs, to spread around joy and plenty. The system of irrigation signified in this passage is still to be seen in Eastern lands. "Flower beds and gardens of herbs are always made at a little lower level than the surrounding ground, and are divided into small squares, a slight edging of earth banking the whole round on each side. Water is then let in, and floods the entire sur

TO DO JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT,.... The moral duties of religion, what is holy, just, and good, which the law requires; what is agreeably to both tables, piety towards God, and justice to men; that which is just and right between man and man; which, especially if done from right principles and with right views, [IS] MORE ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD THAN SACRIFICE; not than any sacrifice; than the sacrifice of a broken heart, or the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, or of acts of goodness and beneficence, or of a man's whole self to the Lord; but than ceremonial sacrifices; which, though of divine institution, and typical of Christ, and when offered up in the faith of him, were acceptable to God, while in force; yet not when done without faith and in hypocrisy, and especially when done to cover and countenance immoral actions; and, even when compared with moral duties, the latter were prefera...

CHAPTER 21 PERSONAL INSTRUCTIONS AS TO LIFE AND CONDUCT In the proverbs of this chapter the Lord is mentioned five times. “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will” Proverbs 21:1). The rivers of water are “water-courses,” the irrigation system known to the ancients, opening and shutting sluices directed the flow of the waters. Thus the Lord governs the king's heart as He directs the affairs of men. The Lord pondereth the hearts Proverbs 21:2). The same truth is stated in Proverbs 16:2; self-justification suits the natural man but the Lord testeth all hearts. How well it is to remember in all our conduct, that truth, so comforting to the believer, expr

PROVERBS 21:1. WATERCOURSES: not the natural brooks and wadys of Palestine, but the artificial irrigation canals of Egypt or Babylonia, which could be diverted in any direction at will. Proverbs 21:4. Apparently two unconnected lines belonging to different couplets. A connexion can be established only by forced exegesis. The Heb. is lit. lofty of look and arrogant of heart, the tillage of the wicked is sin. RV lamp for tillage depends on a different pointing, but does not improve the sense. Proverbs 21:6. Lit. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue (is) a driven breath, seekers of death. RV clearly inserts more than the text warrants to make sense of...

JUSTICE. righteousness. MORE ACCEPTABLE, &C. Illustrations: Saul (1 Samuel 13:10; 1 Samuel 15:22); Israel (Jeremiah 7:22; Jeremiah 7:23.Amos 5:21; Amos 5:21); Judah (Isaiah 1:11); Pharisees (Matthew 9:13). Note the contrast,...

Comp. 1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8....

CHAPTER 21 TEXT Proverbs 21:1-10 1. The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the water courses: He turneth it whithersoever he will. 2. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts. 3. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice. 4. A high look, and a proud heart, Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin. 5. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want. 6. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death. 7. The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice. 8. The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for t