The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous

As a general rule, I think, (not an absolute command of God) God will cause the circumstances of the wicked and the righteous to be reversed when the righteous are (wrongly) in trouble and/or the wicked go unpunished.

peace to youraying:

 

This possibly speaks to the idea (I've read it somewhere) that it was of necessity that some be condemned and forever punished as an everlasting rememberance to the redeemed of the greatness of God's mercy toward them in view of His hatred of sin.

In other words, as sinners are cast into the lake of fire, we that are saved will understand fully "Were it not for the grace of God, there go I!"

But, since the passage is from Proverbs, I might be inclined to think it speaks to something more practical.

 

Jarthur -- I believe it speaks of Jesus becoming "wicked" and "transgressor" on the cross for the "righteous" and "upright" who would believe. It shows Jesus taking our place.

It seems "cryptic" because God still hadn't revealed to Israel how He would take away their sins.

skypair