It Works Better with Manufacturer’s Parts

(Proverbs 29:6 KJV)  In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

This verse shows contrasts between two types of people.  Some are stated, others implied.  The base contrast is in character.  You have the “evil” (7451b) and the “righteous” (6662).  This is a frequent pairing in Proverbs because much of the book is to show how life is different for people who follow the directions of the Manufacturer.  Proverbs proceeds to show how their lives are guided by their character.

He contrasts behavior.  Only the behavior of the first is stated.  He is caught in “transgression” (6588) {28:2}.  He is a sinner.  I think it is understood that we are not talking about the occasional failure of a person who is walking with the Lord, just as the righteous is not assumed to be absolutely, Mary-Poppins perfect.  What is the basic style of your life?  Are you living for yourself or are use living for Jesus?  Are you demanding and selfish or are you a servant?

Then Proverbs moves on to the result.  One is “ensnared” (4170), the other, by implication, is free.  This is the nature of sin and Satan.  Sin develops habits and chains that inhibit the freedom of life.  Sin cuts off potential and kills dreams.  With God we are love-slaves.  We are trusted as part of the family.  We know the master and desire to please Him and in the pleasing we have a freedom that is beyond compare.  Think of the Garden of Eden.  Adam and Eve had total freedom except for one tree.  What happened when Satan became their lord?  They were chained to that tree and kept away from the rest.  We now have the knowledge of good and evil but without the freeing blood of Christ we are denied the tree of life.  I wonder what the other trees in the garden would have been called.  We will find out, right after the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

The contrast finishes with attitude.  The “righteous” (6662) knows he has nothing to fear because he has done nothing wrong.  We can sing and rejoice.  Even in the presence of death.  Have you been to the funeral of a believer and joined in the singing of “Amazing Grace” or another favorite hymn.  That should help you define joy.  At an unbeliever’s funeral the highlight was the song “Happy Trails to You.”  This joy is stated clearly for the righteous, the other side is inferred.  It is also possible that the righteous knows how to confess and repent.  Remember the difference between Judas and Peter.

So?  Which side are you on?  Remember it is a choice.  God offers His love and grace.  Satan offers chains, misery and deception.  I know which side I am on.  I trust you have made the same decision.