Proverbs 21:24–26 (ESV)
24 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
who acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
25 All day long he craves and craves,
but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
Solomon begins by giving us the name of a particular kind of person: “Scoffer.” This is not someone who occasionally makes a sarcastic remark. A scoffer habitually despises God’s wisdom. She treats God, his Word, and those who seek to follow him with contempt. Rather than receiving correction with humility, she ridicules it, convinced that she already knows better.
To make his point unmistakable, Solomon piles one description upon another. The scoffer is arrogant, haughty, and full of pride. These Hebrew words portray a woman consumed with an exaggerated view of herself, one who refuses to submit to anyone’s authority, including God’s. She habitually looks down on others because she continually elevates herself. Pride is no longer merely one of her sins. It has infected every part of her life.
The next proverb turns from pride to laziness. The sluggard has desires like everyone else, but her hands refuse to work. She longs for food, security, and the rewards of faithful labor without the labor itself. Her needs go unmet, not because God has failed to provide opportunities, but because she refuses to do what is necessary. Her desires are not the problem. Her refusal to work is. As a result, her longings remain unsatisfied and eventually contribute to her ruin.
In contrast, the righteous woman works faithfully, provides for her own needs, and has enough left to give generously to others. Her desires are directed wisely. Rather than consuming everything for herself, she opens her hands to bless those around her. Through faithful labor and wise self-restraint, God supplies not only enough for her needs, but also enough to share.
Most of us would never describe ourselves as arrogant. Yet pride persuades us to trust our own judgment more than God’s Word. It becomes difficult to receive correction because we have already settled the matter in our own minds. Ask the Lord to expose any pride in your heart and give you a teachable spirit that gladly receives his wisdom. Wisdom begins where pride ends.