Iniquity Is Not Isolated

(Proverbs 22:8 KJV)  He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

I am not happy with the translation of “iniquity” (5767b).  That meaning is included but there is a deeper meaning.  Iniquity seems to emphasize the personal act of sin or unrighteousness.  The Hebrew word adds to that the element of violating justice.  The way it is translated brings out that the actor is bringing condemnation on himself for his actions.  This could be a lie or stealing something from a department store.  It is a sin for you but it does not necessarily cause major havoc in the person violated.  The Hebrew here tries to point out that your action is a violation of the justice of the universe. 

What we do effects us.  That is bad enough.  The point is that sin also effects others.  When someone lives well and when their credit cards catch up with them they can declare bankruptcy.  This is an admission of financial failure.  What is often overlooked are the little people who have their security threatened by the irresponsibility.  I remember going to a meeting called by well paid lawyers to share what had happened to a limited partnership we invested in.  We lost a lot of money.  At least it seemed like a lot to us at the time since we were young and almost hand to mouth.  What put it in perspective were the elderly people at the meeting who had lost most of their retirement savings and were facing serious deprivation.  It was all because some guys wanted to live well on other people’s money. 

So?  Sin can send you to hell.  It can also make the lives of others very difficult.  We do not live in isolation.