What does Proverbs 2:21 mean?

Prior verses gave dire warnings about the consequences of sin, with the ultimate penalty being that of death. Verse 20 struck a note of hope, in that those who follow a better path can expect better results. Here, in verse 21, the tone shifts to something much more positive: the promise of a reward.

Human beings are hardwired to enjoy reward systems. Throughout Scripture God outlines various rewards that await us for being diligent in our service to Him. To the modern reader, a promise to "inhabit the land" does not seem to be much of a reward. Cultural context, however, is important. For the Israelites, the original readers of these words, the covenants God made with Abraham and David to give them the Promised Land were eternal promises (Genesis 12; 2 Samuel 7:16). Inhabiting God's Promised Land then becomes a significant reward to the one who will follow God. This reward indicated they were an heir to the promises of God.

This particular aspect of the blessing is later extended to Gentile believers when we are adopted into God's family (Galatians 3:17–29; 4:4–7). The significance of the promise to live in the land is reiterated by the author of Hebrews. Hebrews 3:12–19 explains just how significant of a promise this truly is.