Read Proverbs 21:30–31
Questions from the Scripture text: What three things cannot stand (Proverbs 21:30)? Against Whom? What is prepared for the day of battle (Proverbs 21:31a)? But from where does deliverance come (verse 31b)?
From where does the salvation of the righteous come? Proverbs 21:30–31 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the salvation of the righteous comes from their incomparable, invincible God.
These verses bring chapter 21 to a conclusion, mirroring the opening bookend (cf. Proverbs 21:1-3). The entire chapter has been about the difference that living before the face of YHWH, and having to answer to YHWH, makes between the righteous and the wicked. But it is at the bookends that YHWH Himself is named. And, that is the emphasis in Proverbs 21:30.
In the original, the poetry is very staccato, back and forth. No! Wisdom! No! Understanding! No! Counsel! If you’ve ever been at a rally, and heard the leader and the crowd going back and forth antiphonally, you get a sense of the rhythm here. So, when you get to the fourth “No!,” but are surprised with “for against” (i.e., “can be” against), it sets up a dramatic climax, which is filled by the divine “name YHWH!” So, there is a crescendo to a climax to His incomparable glory, in His unassailable invincibility.
Then, Proverbs 21:31 provides us with something of a dénouement: the place where this climactically great God makes His greatness to have its impact: in saving His people. Any king—especially Solomon, who accumulated them, and established a trade in them between east and west—who had “horse superiority” could assure himself of victory against another kingdom. But, here is a superiority that guarantees victory not just to kingdoms, but in everything: to have this glorious YHWH (Proverbs 21:30) as your preparation for life, death, and eternity (Proverbs 21:31).
The more you adore, Christian reader, the more confident and hope you will have in the face of anything and everything. The greater you know the Lord’s glory to be, the greater an asset you will know His grace to be in your life. So adore, and honor, and serve, and obey… and rejoice with confident hope!
What place does adoration of God have in your heart and life? How do you know that you have Him?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for teaching us about Your incomparable glory. We praise You, our great and glorious God! And, thank You for giving Yourself to be ours, and for teaching us that this is so. Make us confident that deliverance is from You, for us, in life and death and eternity, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH148B “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah”
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