Proverbs 21:21

Context of Proverbs 21:21

Proverbs 21:21 is part of a larger collection of wisdom sayings in the book of Proverbs, which offers practical guidance for living a life that honors God and benefits humanity. The book emphasizes the importance of making wise choices, contrasting the paths of the righteous and the wicked. This particular verse highlights the direct correlation between a person's moral pursuits and the blessings they receive. It reflects the Old Testament principle that obedience to God's ways often brings tangible rewards in life, though not exclusively in material terms.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Active Pursuit of Virtue: The phrase "He that followeth after" signifies an active, intentional, and persistent pursuit. It's not passive acceptance but a deliberate striving towards moral excellence. This pursuit involves both internal disposition and external action.
• Righteousness (tsedeq): This refers to moral integrity, justice, and adherence to God's standards. It encompasses living rightly before God and man. The verse suggests that pursuing righteousness not only *leads* to it as a reward but also *is* a reward in itself, indicating a deepening character and alignment with divine will. For more on seeking righteousness, consider Matthew 6:33.
• Mercy (chesed): This rich Hebrew term denotes steadfast love, loyal kindness, and covenant faithfulness. It's about compassion, benevolence, and active care for others, especially those in need. The combination of righteousness and mercy emphasizes that true godliness is not just about personal rectitude but also about outward compassion. Micah 6:8 also speaks to the importance of loving mercy.
• The Rewards of Righteous Living: The verse promises three specific outcomes for those who pursue these virtues:
  • Life (chayyim): More than mere existence, this signifies a full, abundant, and meaningful life, often implying spiritual vitality, well-being, and divine favor. It can refer to a life blessed by God both in this world and eternally. See John 10:10 for a New Testament perspective on abundant life.
  • Righteousness: This is both the pursuit and the reward. It means that the person not only strives for righteousness but also increasingly embodies it, being vindicated or approved by God.
  • Honour (kavod): This refers to respect, dignity, and recognition. Those who live righteously and mercifully earn the esteem of God and, often, of their fellow human beings. God Himself promises to honor those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30).

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "followeth after" is radaph (רָדַף), which literally means "to pursue" or "to chase." It implies an active, diligent, and often persistent effort, much like a hunter pursuing game.
• As mentioned, tsedeq (צֶדֶק) for "righteousness" emphasizes justice and moral uprightness.
• Chesed (חֶסֶד) for "mercy" is a profound theological term in the Old Testament, often translated as "lovingkindness" or "steadfast love," highlighting loyalty and covenant faithfulness.
• Chayyim (חַיִּים) for "life" is often used in the plural in Hebrew, suggesting the fullness and totality of life.
• Kavod (כָּבוֹד) for "honour" literally means "weight" or "heaviness," conveying the idea of substance, significance, and glory.

Practical Application

Proverbs 21:21 offers timeless wisdom for how to live a flourishing life. It teaches us that:

1. Virtue is Not Passive: A truly blessed life requires deliberate effort to cultivate character traits like righteousness and mercy. It's a daily choice and a lifelong journey.
2. Holistic Living: God's desire for us is not just personal piety but also active compassion towards others. Our relationship with God is intertwined with our relationships with people.
3. Divine Principle of Sowing and Reaping: While not a guarantee for immediate material wealth, the verse affirms a spiritual principle: those who sow good character and actions will reap a harvest of true life, inner rectitude, and respect. This aligns with the principle found in Galatians 6:7, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
4. The Best Rewards are Enduring: "Life, righteousness, and honour" are not fleeting pleasures but deep, lasting satisfactions that contribute to true well-being and a legacy of integrity.