◄ Proverbs 21:3 ►
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Study Bible
To do what is right and just
This phrase emphasizes the importance of moral and ethical behavior. The Hebrew words for "right" (צֶדֶק, tzedek) and "just" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) are deeply rooted in the Old Testament's legal and moral framework. "Tzedek" often refers to righteousness, a state of being in alignment with God's will, while "mishpat" refers to justice, the fair and equitable treatment of others. In the historical context of ancient Israel, these concepts were foundational to the community's covenant relationship with God. The Israelites were called to reflect God's character through their actions, ensuring that their society was marked by fairness and integrity. This call to righteousness and justice is timeless, urging believers to live in a way that honors God and respects others.

is more acceptable to the LORD
The phrase "more acceptable" (נִרְצָה, nirtzah) suggests a preference or delight from God. In the Hebrew context, this word conveys the idea of something being pleasing or favorable. The emphasis here is on God's priorities; He values ethical living over ritualistic practices. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God consistently prioritizes the heart's condition over external religious observances. The prophets often rebuked Israel for empty rituals devoid of genuine righteousness and justice. This serves as a reminder that God desires a sincere relationship with His people, one that is demonstrated through their actions and attitudes.

than sacrifice
The term "sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach) refers to the ritual offerings made to God, which were central to Israelite worship. Sacrifices were meant to atone for sin and express devotion, but they were never intended to replace ethical living. In the historical and scriptural context, sacrifices without a heart of obedience and justice were meaningless. This echoes the prophetic messages found in books like Isaiah and Amos, where God expresses disdain for sacrifices offered by those who neglect justice and righteousness. The verse underscores the principle that God values the heart's posture and the integrity of one's life over mere religious formalities. It calls believers to prioritize living in a way that reflects God's character, ensuring that their worship is genuine and pleasing to Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He ruled Israel and compiled many wise sayings and teachings.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing His relationship with Israel and His desire for His people to live righteously.

3. Ancient Israel
The cultural and religious context in which Proverbs was written, where sacrifices were a central part of worship and religious practice.
Teaching Points
The Priority of Righteousness and Justice
God values ethical behavior and moral integrity over religious rituals. Our daily actions and decisions should reflect His standards of righteousness and justice.

The Heart of Worship
True worship is not just about external rituals but involves living a life that pleases God through justice and righteousness. Our worship should be reflected in how we treat others.

Obedience Over Ritual
Obedience to God's commands and living a life of integrity is more pleasing to God than merely performing religious duties. We should focus on aligning our lives with God's will.

Practical Righteousness
Righteousness and justice should be evident in our interactions with others. This includes fairness, honesty, and compassion in our personal and professional lives.

Reflecting God's Character
As believers, we are called to reflect God's character in our actions. This means prioritizing justice and righteousness in all aspects of life, as these are attributes of God Himself.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Proverbs 21:3 challenge the way you view religious practices and rituals in your own life?

2. In what ways can you prioritize righteousness and justice in your daily interactions with others?

3. How do the teachings in 1 Samuel 15:22 and Micah 6:6-8 reinforce the message of Proverbs 21:3?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that your worship is not just ritualistic but reflects a life of righteousness and justice?

5. How can you encourage others in your community or church to live out the principles of righteousness and justice as described in Proverbs 21:3?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 15:22
This verse highlights the importance of obedience over sacrifice, echoing the sentiment in Proverbs 21:3 that God values righteousness and justice more than ritual offerings.

Micah 6:6-8
These verses emphasize that God desires justice, mercy, and humility over burnt offerings, reinforcing the message that ethical living is paramount.

Isaiah 1:11-17
Isaiah criticizes empty ritualism and calls for justice and righteousness, aligning with the teaching in Proverbs 21:3.
Sermons
Ceremonial and Moral DutiesWilliam Stainforth, M. A.Proverbs 21:3
Devotion and DutyE. Johnson Proverbs 21:3
The Providence and Government of GodE. Johnson Proverbs 21:1-3
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Acceptable, Chosen, Desired, Exercise, Judgment, Justice, Offering, Pleasing, Rather, Righteousness, Sacrifice
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 21:3

     1075   God, justice of
     5361   justice, human
     5362   justice, believers' lives
     5381   law, letter and spirit
     6027   sin, remedy for
     6603   acceptance, divine
     8243   ethics, social
     8245   ethics, incentives
     8315   orthodoxy, in OT

Library
Definition of Actual Grace
1. GENERAL NOTION OF GRACE.--The best way to arrive at a correct definition of actual grace is by the synthetic method. We therefore begin with the general notion of grace. Like "nature,"(3) grace (gratia, {GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is a word of wide reach, used in a great variety of senses. Habert(4) enumerates no less than fourteen; which, however, may be reduced to four. a) Subjectively, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Epistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
To Constantina Augusta [1593] . Gregory to Constantina, &c. Almighty God, who holds in His right hand the heart of your Piety, both protects us through you and prepares for you rewards of eternal remuneration for temporal deeds. For I have learnt from the letters of the deacon Sabinianus my responsalis with what justice your Serenity is interested in the cause of the blessed Prince of the apostles Peter against certain persons who are proudly humble and feignedly kind. And I trust in the bounty …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Epistle Cvi. To Syagrius, Ætherius, virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops .
To Syagrius, Ætherius, Virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops [65] . Gregory to Syagrius of Augustodunum (Autun), Etherius of Lugdunum (Lyons), Virgilius of Aretale (Arles), and Desiderius of Vienna (Vienne), bishops of Gaul. A paribus. Our Head, which is Christ, has to this end willed us to be His members, that through the bond of charity and faith He might make us one body in Himself. And to Him it befits us so to adhere in heart, that, since without Him we can be nothing, through Him we may …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others, but Keep their Own; and those who Give of their Own, yet Seize
(Admonition 22.) Differently to be admonished are those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own, and those who give of what they have, and yet desist not from seizing on what belongs to others. Those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own are to be admonished to consider carefully that the earth out of which they are taken is common to all men, and therefore brings forth nourishment for all in common. Vainly, then, do those suppose …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy.

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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