RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-05-03	Why Are The Righteous As Bold As A Lion? (Pr.28:1)
		Pro 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. In Solomon’s proverbs of wisdom are found many contrasts, especially between the wise and the foolish and the righteous and the wicked. These contrasts help us understand how to hold to the one path and reject the other. Here in Proverbs 28:1 is an instructive contrast. “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.” The wicked have many reasons to fear, but the righteous have clear consciences and no reason at all to fear. Pro 10:24 The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. The irony in the principle that “the righteous are as bold as a lion” is that righteousness actually involves fear. Solomon expounds, writing that the one who walks in righteousness fears the Lord, while the wicked person despises or disregards God (Pr.14:2). Pro 14:2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. Solomon observed that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Pr.1:7), and the beginning of wisdom (Pr.9:10). In order to be wise or righteous, a person must begin with the fear of the Lord. This comes by understanding the Word of God (Pr.2:6). Pro 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence and refuge (Pr.14:26) Pro 14:26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is “a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death” (Pr.14:27) By the fear of the Lord one avoids evil (Pr.16:6). The fear of the Lord provides life and satisfying sleep (Pr.19:23). The one who fears the Lord is blessed always, in contrast to the one who hardens his heart and falls into calamity (Pr.28:14). The fear of the Lord, which could be defined as the proper perspective of and response to the Lord, is a key ingredient for righteousness. It is no wonder then that “the righteous are as bold as a lion” (Pr.28:1). The righteous one fears the Creator and Designer of life, and then accordingly follows the design that is prescribed. Paul expresses that he has confidence through Christ toward God (2Co.3:4) 2Co 3:4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Paul acknowledges that one should boast in the Lord (2Co.10:17). The guilty consciences of the wicked cause them to run from imagined pursuers (Pr.28:1; Nu.32:23). Knowing they have done wrong; they suspect they are being chased by lawmen. By contrast the righteous are as bold (confidence in the Lord) as a young lion. When you have a clear conscience, you have boldness to face every trial. God gives them courage; they have no fear of reprisal from wrongdoing. David remarked, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken…” (Ps.37:25). Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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