Proverbs 19:21-25

Proverbs 19:21-25
English Standard Version
​21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
    and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life,
    and whoever has it rests satisfied;
    he will not be visited by harm.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
    and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
    reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

---

A man may make plans for himself, but it is the providence of the LORD that is sovereign and establishes our steps.  His plans and purposes will come to pass according to His will.  A man desires the steadfast, covenant love that can only come from the LORD.  However, he tries to fulfil that need by filling that vacuum with all sorts of other things that will not satisfy that need.

It is better to be poor and have your integrity than to be a liar.  Solomon reminds his son of this in the middle of today's passage.  Character is priceless.  When we fear the LORD, we will obey Him, and this obedience leads to blessings and life that come from obedience to the Law.  It should also lead to repentance and eternal life as well.  In Him and His finished work we can find rest (in fact, the place He is preparing for His people is called our Sabbath rest). While we may face trials, tribulations and persecutions in this life, ultimately, we will be kept safe from all harm in the place that God is preparing for us.  There will be no more sin, death, disease or fear of violence against us.

The sluggard is too lazy to even bring his hand to his mouth to feed himself.  He desires someone else to do even this small amount of work for him.  Because he is unwilling to do the work necessary to provide for his own food, he will end up suffering as he doesn't have food to eat or become dependent on others to the point where he is enslaved to them.

Discipline helps the simple-minded learn wisdom and prudence, but, also, the wise will learn from the discipline that occurs to others so that they will not have to make the same mistakes.  The wise man can be reproved without the need for physical discipline, and he listens to wisdom and makes course corrections.  It is better to receive correction through the words of a friend than by way of the rod of correction from the authorities.