Proverbs 11:21
“Though hand join in hand, the wicked will not be unpunished:
The book of proverbs turns the face of life in many different directions in order that we get a multidimensional look at each and every aspect to which it refers. This particular contrast shows a specific characteristic of the ongoing struggle between good and evil. In reference to the wicked, he again refers to their hands.
When the scriptures mention hands, it usually is talking about someone doing something. Our hands are related to what we do, or do not do. Here he uses this analogy to emphasize that the wicked plot against the just. It is their own doing that they hope will bring about the demise of the just. Because without that struggle against good, it will continue to increase in power and influence, because of the sheer healthy nature of its power. Sometimes the only way to kill a healthy plant, is to somehow poison it. Because left to its own, it will just continue to prosper in its particular environment.
Plotters that join together in corporate, political, or social schemes to undermine their competition, might enjoy temporary success. But for the most part, their secrets usually are discovered, and eventually they fall by their own devices. I believe that it is very dangerous to plot against anyone. Mainly, because God does not smile upon that specific action of humanity, unless there is strong evidence that the person or entity is extremely dangerous to himself, or others around him.
Proverbs 11:21
“But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.”
In this particular scriptural reference to the just, he refers to him as “the seed”. He says that “the seed” will be delivered. Notice that there is no mention of a hand here. I have seen it over and over again in every single sector of society. There are those who are just faithful diligent workers who choose to not participate in other people’s slander, lies, and political schemes. They avoid the temptation of climbing the ladder of success through stepping upon the good will of their fellow employees. They are those who are exalted through faithful and humble service. Their promotions are usually very powerful and very permanent. They are like little seeds. They just simply grow where they are planted, because that is what they do by nature, not by manipulative and opportunistic works of their own device.
There are several references in scripture that refer to the hands of God. Again, this refers to God doing something. We see the hand of God intercede on behalf of Moses at the Red Sea. We see the hand of God move at the battle of Jericho when the walls came down. The greatest extension of God’s hand ever manifested in human history was when God’s hand was manifested through the birth, the life, the death, and the resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. The angel affirms this hand of God upon Christ when he first spoke to Mary by saying, “His name will be called Emmanuel, God with us.” Jesus became the manifest hand of God among humanity.
No longer was it an invisible hand parting the Red Sea. It was a real man standing on the bough of a ship and commanding the storm to subside and the waves to calm in just a moment. It was a real man touching the eyes of a blind man and creating new eyes. It was a real man walking upon the water. It was a real man, though dead in a tomb for three days and three nights, that suddenly and miraculously rose up to new life through the power of Almighty God.
Don’t allow yourself to be deceived into using your own hands to exalt yourself, because usually self-exaltation harms others. Let the hand of God make you into a seed of His righteousness…so that your promotions in life will be natural, powerful, peaceful, stress free, and permanent.