Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will."

The "king" represents the government, and all governments are set up and taken down by the hand of God. We read in Romans 13:1 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Even the godless governments that existed down through the ages were allowed to be established by the hand of God. When their usefulness was over, they fell apart from within. When God pulled his hand off them, Satan destroyed them for that is the nature of Satan, to destroy. He is the destroyer.

Romans 13:2 "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."

The king or government spreads its authority and wealth like a big river flowing, branching out into smaller streams and giving life to the people. There is not one government now or ever in the past that has not been ordained of God. Yes even the godless new world order that is now in existence, that shall in time receive it's deadly wound, and be reconstructed at Satan's arrival to be the "instead of Christ". Remember in Revelation 9:1 where; "...and to him was given the key [authority] of the bottomless pit,".   The only reason Satan could release his fallen angels was that God gave him the authority to do so: for the express purpose of fulfilling that part of God's plan to bring this earth age of the flesh to a close.

God is and has always has been in complete control over everything that happens in this and every earth age, and it's governments: To set up, and to tare down when His plan requires it.

Proverbs 21:2 "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: But the Lord pondereth the hearts."

Every person sees him or herself as being right and just in their actions. However God sees and tests the hearts and minds of people for the intent of our every action. There will be an accounting for our actions at His judgment seat. God knows if He can depend on you or not, for He reads the intent of your mind as you are pondering the thoughts that come out of your mind.

Proverbs 21:3 "To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."

To know God's instruction and follow and do the judgments of God is more acceptable to Father, than your sacrifice or repentive prayer after you have done the evil deed.

Proverbs 21:4 "An high look, and a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked, is sin."

To go around with prideful spirit, looking down on others, and being proud of those gifts that God has given you is the start of your downfall. That was the cause of Satan's fall, and God is telling you it is sin.

Proverbs 21:5 "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But of every one that is hasty only to want."

When you think something through before you attempt to do it, it gives you an advantage in fulfilling that task. However if you rush right into the task without thinking it through, you will mess up before the job is finished. This applies to all avenues of our life, like rushing out into the job field before you prepare yourself properly for the task. That is why most businesses fail, the founder never took all the scope of the business under consideration, and sought the full amount of capital to see the business operating successfully beyond the startup time. Haste makes for waste. Use common sense in planning at the start of your venture.

Proverbs 21:6 "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and from of them that seek death."

"Vanity" is emptiness. Anything that you gain by lying and deceit, will not be kept, but God will see to it that it will end. You will not keep your gains in the end.

Proverbs 21:7 "The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; Because they refuse to do judgment."

The violence of the wicked shall destroy themselves; their wickedness will come down on their own heads. Why? Because they refuse to follow the ways or judgments of God. They choose to do wrong and go against the ways of God's Word. God set up His ways of doing things in these flesh bodies, and by making your choices in life, you will either be blessed or cursed. God laid out these blessings and curses for your actions in Deuteronomy 28. It would be wise to review these from time to time.

Proverbs 21:8 "The way of man is froward and strange: But as for the pure, his work is right.

"Strange" as used here is "not straight". "The way of the man laden with guilt is unsteady." When you go around with a guilt complex about every thing that you do, it alters the way that you think and what you do. You become undependable.

Proverbs 21:9 "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house."

It is better to stay up on the roof of the house, than to life in a home where there is fighting going on all the time. The title "wide house", should read family home. This also goes the other way around, for the woman is also better of living on the roof, than inside the house with a brawling man. If two people love each other in marriage and communicate with each other, there should be no brawling in the home. When they use common sense and follow Father's instruction, there will be no problems that can't be worked out.

Proverbs 21:10 "The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes."

A wicked person craves to do evil things. But to be a good neighbor, you have to be a good neighbor in return. A good neighbor is valuable to you for he protects your property while you are not there. However a bad neighbor will hurt himself, while he is seeking to do wrong to his neighbor.

Proverbs 21:11 "When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge."

When punishment was given, according to the scripture, it was always made public. That punishment not only gave judgment to the evil doer, but served as a warning to the simple minded. They would see that crime doesn't pay. When the punishment is given properly, then the crimes will stop happening.

Proverbs 21:12 "The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: But God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness."

In the King James bible, "man" isn't there, but added. However the one this is talking about is not man, but God. It is God that wisely considereth the house of the wicked in judgment, and overthrows those wicked ones for their wickedness. Romans 12:19; "...Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

Proverbs 21:13 "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard."

This is not forcing you to take care of all the poor, and give to every beggar on the street. The word "poor" as given in this verse, is the word "feeble", or disabled and weak handicap; those that simply cannot provide for themselves. So don't let any mature man come up to you using this verse, telling you that you have an obligation to give to him: You don't. Don't be taken advantage of by this type, however, you can help that person that has some bad things happen to him.

Proverbs 21:14 "A gift [reward] in secret pacifieth anger: And a reward [bribe] in the bosom strong wrath."

This is a very poor translation from the Hebrew text. Of course a gift given in secret does not draw anger, but pleasure so something is wrong with this verse. The Word for "gift" as used here should read "reward" [#4976], where as the word "reward" should be translated "bribe". We see then how this would change the entire meaning of the verse. To reward someone for something they have done for you, is far different than to bribe that person into forcing them to comply with what you want them to do for you. You try to bribe a judge or government official and are caught, all sorts of wrath will fall down on you.

Proverbs 21:15 "It is joy to the just to do judgment: But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity."

People like it when justice comes in a judgment, it is only fair to reward those that deserve rewards, and punish those do evil. At God's judgment destruction will come to those that do iniquity, should they not repent of those wicked ways, and get right with God. There is repentance when it is sought the right way, in Jesus name.

Proverbs 21:16 "The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead."

The word "dead" as used in this verse is "Rethaim", "those who have no resurrection." Dead is not as in "deceased". We are talking about fallen angels here, those souls who refuse to be born of women, and enter into this age of the flesh by other means. They are the ones spoken of in Genesis 6:1 as the "sons of God"; and in Jude 4 as the ones "that left their habitation"; "...men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly...."

Jude 6 "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

This gets to our generation, for we read in Revelation 12:7-9 that Satan and his angels are going to be cast from heaven to this earth at the sixth trump. Satan is going to be playing the role of Savior here on earth, and those "men that wandereth out of the way of understanding" and follows those fallen angels when they arrive, will remain as "spiritually dead" [mortal souls] when Jesus returns to earth at the seventh trump. If you're following after the doctrines of devils, such as the rapture doctrine, and other false traditions of me you will follow and bow to Satan, and this verse is addressed to you. You "shall remain in the congregation of the dead" during the millennium age of Christ's kingdom here on earth. That is why it is important to be sealed with the truth from God's Word, prior to the coming of Satan and his hoards of fallen angels. The warning here is for you to stay out of the congregation of Satan.

Proverbs 21:17 "He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich."

This is aimed at those who like to party and drink it up all the time, giving it priority over the needs of your family, which means you are not going to meet the needs of your family. The oil and wine are the items used in decking yourself up for that good time party. Get it? It's a choice; your family, or those good times, when the money is limited. You make the choice, and your family is affected by that choice. Use common sense in all that you do with moderation. Remember that the subject for this chapter is "Personal Conduct, determining how your character should be.

Proverbs 21:18 "The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the transgressor for the upright."

This takes a look forward to the great white throne of judgment. This is saying that at that judgment, though the wicked seem to have it good now, and the righteous seem put down, at that time it will be just the opposite: For the righteous will receive eternal rewards, and the wicked eternal destruction. It is up to each individual to make their own choice.

Proverbs 21:19 "It is better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and an angry woman."

This verse goes both ways, "It is better to live in the wilderness than with a contentious and angry spouse." The two of you make the type of life that you are living in, for it is better to learn to get along with each other in peace and harmony, accepting each other points of difference. This verse is not directed to righteous indignation, for we are expected to show our indignation at those wicked things that go on about us. Your family is the most valuable thing that you have, and it is worth working to keep it safe and in harmony.

Proverbs 21:20 "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man spendeth it up."

Oil has always been a necessity, and treasures saved for the hard times. The wise person will look out for those hard times and save and prepare for those times of need. The foolish man just doesn't care about the future, nor anything beyond the Saturday night party. The wise person will go out and earn those things and hang on to them, but the foolish person has no sense of value; buying at high interest, and paying the highest price for everything he gets.

Proverbs 21:21 "He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour."

Mercy as used here is love. These are the fruits of the Spirit, and when you seek after the fruits of the Holy Spirit of God, you are going to find eternal life. Along with the fruits of the Spirit also come righteousness and honor in this life in the flesh also.

Proverbs 21:22 "A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof."

By using common sense and proper planning can bring down a well fortified city. Remember back in 2nd Samuel 20:16-22; "Then cried a wise woman out of the city, "Hear, hear, I pray you, unto Joab, come near hither, that I may speak with thee. " This wise woman reasoned with Joab, that the lives of the city were saved. It can be a wise man or women that speaks up and the right time can save a lot of trouble within the community. David had been insulted by the heads of this city, and Joab had taken an army to the city to destroy the entire city. As the battle was about to begin, this wise woman shouted from the wall, and from her common sense, and order came to the conflict, and the city was saved. This woman knew the Word of God, and she used God's Word to prove her point. She used wisdom, and only the wicked man paid the price for his wickedness, and off went the man's head; over the wall, and Joab and the army departed.

Proverbs 21:23 "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from trouble."

This is saying that a gossiper will cause his or her own trouble. If he or she would have kept their mouth shut over an item, nobody would have ever known the degree of their stupidity.

Proverbs 21:24 "Proud and haughty scorner is his name, Who dealeth in proud wrath."

"Proud and haughty scorner" are other names for Satan. The scoffer is one that scoffs at God. God will deal with those that turn their back to His ways, and follow their prideful ways.

Proverbs 21:25 "The desire of the slothful killeth him; For his hands refuse to labour."

God doesn't like lazy people, and by his own choice it will bring him to destruction. The lazy person is just to lazy to do any work for the Lord, of keep focused on the things of the Lord. Servants of God are suppose to do the work of God, and labor is required of a faithful servant. II Thessalonians 3:10; "...That if any would not work, neither should he eat."

Proverbs 21:26 "He coveteth greedily all the day long: But the righteous giveth and spareth not."

The person that covets and his greed takes over his thinking all day long, will bring himself down. But the righteous person desires to serve others in all that he has. Enjoy what you have, but don't make a religious thing out of it.

Proverbs 21:27 "The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?"

A sacrifice is always given to God. However to the wicked; their sacrifice is not accepted by God but is an abomination. God just doesn't accept any sacrifice from a wicked person from the gains received from their preconceived wickedness. That sacrifice then is done for a evil reason. Why do you do what you do, to appease others and change their thinking of you?

Proverbs 21:28 "A false witness shall perish: But the man that heareth speaketh constantly."

This is so true. If a person is a liar, than there is nothing that he says that you can trust. However a man that strives to speak the truth in all matters, can be relied on no matter what he says for his intent is truth. It all goes back to the intent in the mind of the person, and that intent is better than a written contract. It is important in the community to have a good reputation, that your word is good and means something. Romans 12:17; "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men."

Proverbs 21:29 "A wicked man hardeneth his face: But as for the upright, he directeth his way."

The wicked man is set in his ways, unchanging; however the upright man thinks his way through those problems in life. He take time to analyze all the outcomes and uses common sense to set his ways. Planning through a problem is using wisdom.

Proverbs 21:30 "There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against the Lord."

Read this over again, and think on what it is saying. "There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord." The reason is that God has given to you the power over all of your enemies here on earth, and that includes the devil and all his realm. We have that power and authority in Jesus Christ's name. It is up to you to take that authority and use it. If you refuse to, it is your own fault, not God's. In that case, everything that happens, happens because you don't follow God's Word. So whatever happens, we do to ourselves. Our Lord's counsel and wisdom is perfect, and when we refuse to follow that counsel, it is our own fault.

Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: But safety is of the Lord."

It doesn't matter what the problem is that comes against us, God has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Let a little rain fall in your life, God will give you the way to see you through; our safety is of the Lord. With God's help we will have the victory, and that makes each of our challenges all that much better.