THE RANSOM

Proverbs 13:8
The ransom of a man's life are his riches:
But the poor heareth not rebuke.

Linguistic note: literal Hebrew says: …the poor heareth no threatening.

The idea here is that in times of wars, civil commotion, or political upheavals, riches endangers the life of their possessors. In fortunate cases, as kings need money, they spare the rich in exchange for their support.

The poor man on the other hand has nothing to offer, so he is not even addressed; he does not hear the threatening of the powers that be. He is just transferred to slavery to his new owner.

Every principle in the physical realm has its counterpart in the spiritual realm. I am now reminded of the Words of the Master, every one which hath shall be given. In a certain way, as the wicked king spares the life of the rich to obtain his physical wealth, our spiritual wealth, which is Messiah, stays the hand of the executioner against our sins. The Master continues His statement with: and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. Also, the sinner who has not heard the threatening warnings to receive Messiah’s atonement has nothing to ransom his life. He either dies or stays in slavery at the service of sin.

As we read the words of this old book, let us continue understanding the marvelous principles of our salvation in Yahoshua.