Proverbs 21:1-16: a reflection

1The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires. 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. 3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin. 5The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty. 6Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death. 7The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right. 8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. 9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman. 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. 11When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin. 13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard. 14A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath. 15It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. 16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

Among these proverbs is one that states plainly what God most values: To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. God, this proverb says, values right living, doing what is righteous and just, more than religious offerings and rituals. A life of righteousness and justice is more acceptable to him than sacrifices; how we live, whether we do what is right and just, matters more to God than the outward acts of religion. Right living is dearer to God than ritual.

Notice what God values most: righteousness and justice in how we live, more than sacrifice. It is not that sacrifice and worship do not matter; but God values, more highly, a life of righteousness and justice, of doing what is right and just toward others. Outward religious acts, offered while neglecting righteousness and justice, are not what God most desires; he desires right living, a life that does justice and righteousness. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to God than any ritual offered in place of it. God looks first for righteous and just living.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can rest in religious acts while neglecting the righteousness and justice God values more. We can offer God the outward acts of religion, worship, ritual, observance, while neglecting to do what is right and just in how we live and treat others; but God values righteousness and justice more than sacrifice. Do not rest in religious acts while neglecting the righteousness and justice God values more; give yourself to doing what is right and just, which is more acceptable to God than any ritual. Let your life be marked by righteousness and justice, doing what is right toward others, which God values above sacrifice, rather than resting in outward religious acts while neglecting right living; for to do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice, and God looks first for a righteous and just life, not mere ritual.

Lord, among these proverbs is one that states plainly what you most value: to do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. You value right living, doing what is righteous and just, more than religious offerings and rituals. A life of righteousness and justice is more acceptable to you than sacrifices; how I live matters more to you than the outward acts of religion. Show me what you value most: righteousness and justice in how I live, more than sacrifice. It is not that sacrifice and worship do not matter; but you value, more highly, a life of righteousness and justice toward others. Outward religious acts, offered while neglecting righteousness and justice, are not what you most desire; you desire right living. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to you than any ritual offered in place of it. Take that to my heart, for I can rest in religious acts while neglecting the righteousness and justice you value more. I can offer you the outward acts of religion, worship, ritual, observance, while neglecting to do what is right and just in how I live and treat others; but you value righteousness and justice more than sacrifice. Keep me from resting in religious acts while neglecting the righteousness and justice you value more; help me give myself to doing what is right and just, Lord, which is more acceptable to you than any ritual. Let my life be marked by righteousness and justice.