Proverbs 11:21 Hand to hand_
Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered. Proverbs 11:21 NASB
The Emphasized Bible’s more literal translation says: “Hand to hand the wicked man shall not be held innocent, but the seed of the righteous has been delivered.”
The expression “hand to hand” conjures a few immediate pictures. The first is that of a multitude of people, joined by a common purpose. Together, there is safety in numbers which result in a sense of solidarity and invincibility. The second is a sense of continuity, like a father holding his son’s or daughter’s hand. The idea that one generation is connected to the next. And no matter how far along you go, there is a sense of punishment that accompanies men and women with evil behavior and their family.
On the other hand (bad pun, I know!) is the righteous. The justice, goodness and vindication that belongs to those that behave well may or may not be realized in this life, but their offspring, their family, children and grandchildren will experience the relief of deliverance (from whatever imprisons them).
So what’s the point? The book of Proverbs makes it very clear that there is doom and gloom for bad behavior and justice and prosperity for good. There is obviously a difference between evil men and righteous. In fact, why would I continue reading Proverbs if I was not convinced that somehow I fall into the righteous side of the wicked/righteous balance? But this proverb communicates clearly the effect our behavior has on future generations. Should you, the child, be the recipient of cursing or judgment based on your parents or family? Shouldn’t my life be judged on it’s own merits and own behaviors? Of course, and it is. But this proverb offers a key to understanding: our lives rest on the shoulders of those who have gone before us… whether that is something I am proud of or not. There are consequences of our choices that play out and affect future generations. Does the child born in a poverty-filled African nation who has trouble finding daily food have any responsibility out of the starting gate for his condition? Obviously not. And does the Prince of Wales born into status, privilege and wealth have any responsibility for his birth into a royal family? Of course not. But that starting point gives us vastly different resources with which to live on this earth. And may I say that most of us fall somewhere in between the two extremes.
The lesson and reality is that the effect of my wickedness or righteousness is not confined to me alone. The same is true of my mom and dad. And their mom and dad. We have all inherited some sort of good no matter how you look at it. A chance to live life and know the Life-giver is incredible. And given the blank slate we all start with, the sooner we find our way to the cross and find our saviour Jesus Christ, the better to live in His righteousness. But once I find my righteousness, that’s when the fun begins. The punishment I’ve inherited, whether it be poverty, sickness, broken genes, a combative spirit, narcissism, extreme self-awareness, mental illness — whatever it is—may be put in context as I draw a line and say “no further!” I will now let righteousness and grace invade. I may start a fresh, new, cascade of grace and goodness for the next generation, for my kids and their kids. It may not play out fully in my lifetime, but as Solomon writes here: “the decedents of the righteous will be delivered.” I love the sense of interruption that grace may introduce to my life that at birth I had no control over. That’s the power of grace, forgiveness and redemption.
In the Old Testament when one touches a leper, the one who touches becomes unclean. When Christ showed up and touched the leper, it was the one who was touched who became clean. That’s what living in righteousness and grace does. I may touch my world and redeem it. It’s a hungry kingdom that is willing to right wrongs and take ownership for past failures — whether or not they were mine. It allows me to introduce a humility to my life because of all I’ve been given.
Hand to hand is the way we live with each other. And it’s all the better when in one hand we pass the blessing and grace that the Savior has placed within, directly into the other.