In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “he that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse eighteen of Proverbs Solomon said, “the wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous” where we read,
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
The verse begins, “The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, ...” Solomon began with the words, “the wicked” or “the people who are criminal, guilty of crimes, evil and hostile to God” “shall be a ransom” which means “will come to exist as a price of a life, cover, redemption or satisfaction” “for the righteous” or “on behalf of people who are lawful, just and correct”. Solomon shared how people who are evil and hostile to God will come to be a satisfaction and redemption on behalf of people who are lawful and just.
The verse continues, “... and the transgressor for the upright.” Solomon added the words, “and the transgressor” or “and the person whether male or female who is deceitful, faithless and offensive” “for the upright” which means “on behalf of people who are straight, correct, pleasing, straightforward, fitting and proper”. Solomon said the person who acts in a deceitful manner will come to be a “ransom” for people who are straightforward and proper.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon that people who are evil and hostile to God as well as those who are deceitful will become the redemption and satisfaction for people who conduct themselves in lawful and just ways. God wants us to live in “righteous and upright ways”, and because we are inclined to disobey His law which is sin, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and execute justice upon those who refuse to receive Him.
Next time Solomon says, “it is better to dwell in the wilderness, than ...”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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