Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. Like a roaring lionThe imagery of a roaring lion is often used in Scripture to depict power, ferocity, and danger. In biblical times, lions were known to inhabit the regions of the Near East, and their roar was a symbol of impending threat. This metaphor is used to describe the nature of a wicked ruler, suggesting that such a leader instills fear and terror among the people. The lion's roar can also be seen as a symbol of Satan's tactics, as described in 1 Peter 5:8, where the devil is likened to a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. or a charging bear
Bears, like lions, were part of the wildlife in ancient Israel and were known for their strength and aggression, especially when provoked or protecting their young. The comparison to a charging bear emphasizes the sudden and overwhelming force that a wicked ruler can exert. This imagery is used to convey the idea of a ruler who is unpredictable and dangerous, capable of causing great harm without warning. The bear's charge can be likened to the suddenness of judgment or calamity, as seen in other biblical passages such as Hosea 13:8. is a wicked ruler
The term "wicked ruler" refers to a leader who acts unjustly, oppresses the people, and governs with selfish motives. In the biblical context, rulers were expected to uphold justice and righteousness, as seen in the examples of King David and King Solomon. However, wicked rulers, like those described in the books of Kings and Chronicles, often led the nation into idolatry and moral decay. The Bible frequently warns against such leaders, highlighting the importance of godly leadership that aligns with divine principles. over a helpless people
The phrase "helpless people" indicates a populace that is vulnerable and unable to defend itself against the tyranny of a wicked ruler. In ancient times, the common people often had little power or recourse against oppressive governance. This vulnerability is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God is portrayed as the defender of the weak and the oppressed, as seen in Psalms 82:3-4. The helplessness of the people underscores the need for righteous leadership and divine intervention to bring justice and deliverance. Persons / Places / Events 1. Roaring LionIn biblical literature, lions often symbolize power, ferocity, and danger. A roaring lion represents a threat that is both imminent and terrifying. 2. Charging BearBears are known for their strength and unpredictability. A charging bear signifies sudden and overwhelming danger. 3. Wicked RulerThis refers to a leader who is morally corrupt and unjust, using their power to oppress rather than to serve. 4. Helpless PeopleThese are individuals or communities who lack the means to defend themselves against oppression, often suffering under unjust leadership. Teaching Points The Nature of Wicked LeadershipWicked rulers are compared to dangerous animals, emphasizing the threat they pose to society. This highlights the importance of righteous leadership. The Vulnerability of the HelplessThe verse underscores the plight of those who are defenseless, reminding believers of their duty to protect and advocate for the vulnerable. The Call for Righteous GovernanceBelievers are encouraged to pray for and support leaders who govern justly and to hold accountable those who do not. Spiritual VigilanceJust as one would be cautious of a lion or bear, Christians are called to be spiritually vigilant against the influences of wickedness in leadership. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of a roaring lion and a charging bear help us understand the impact of wicked leadership? 2. In what ways can we, as Christians, support and promote righteous leadership in our communities? 3. How does the plight of the helpless in Proverbs 28:15 challenge us to respond to injustice in our world today? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to protect and advocate for those who are vulnerable to oppression? 5. How can the warnings in Proverbs 28:15 and 1 Peter 5:8 guide us in our spiritual lives and interactions with authority figures? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Peter 5:8This verse warns believers to be vigilant because the devil prowls like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. It connects to the imagery of danger and oppression. Isaiah 10:1-2This passage condemns unjust rulers who make oppressive laws, similar to the wicked ruler in Proverbs 28:15. Psalm 82:3-4These verses call for justice for the weak and fatherless, urging protection for the helpless, contrasting the behavior of a wicked ruler. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Bear, Charging, Evil, Growling, Helpless, Lion, Loud-voiced, Poor, Ranging, Ravenous, Roaring, Ruler, Ruling, Rushing, Wandering, WickedDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 28:15 8791 oppression, nature of Library Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsThe Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh "If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 28:15 NIVProverbs 28:15 NLTProverbs 28:15 ESVProverbs 28:15 NASBProverbs 28:15 KJV
Proverbs 28:15 Commentaries
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