◄ Proverbs 28:15 ►
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
Study Bible
Like a roaring lion
The imagery of a "roaring lion" in this verse evokes a sense of fear and intimidation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, lions were symbols of power and ferocity. The Hebrew word for lion, "אַרי" (ari), often represents a formidable and dangerous force. In the Bible, lions are frequently used to depict enemies or threats (e.g., Psalm 22:13). Here, the comparison to a roaring lion suggests a ruler who instills fear and exerts oppressive control over his subjects, much like a lion that roars to assert dominance and instill fear in its prey.

or a charging bear
The "charging bear" further amplifies the sense of danger and aggression. Bears, known for their strength and unpredictability, were feared in the ancient world. The Hebrew word "דֹּב" (dov) for bear is used to describe a creature that can be both protective and destructive. In 2 Kings 2:24, bears are instruments of divine judgment. The image of a charging bear conveys a ruler who is not only aggressive but also unpredictable, capable of sudden and violent actions against those who are defenseless.

is a wicked ruler
The term "wicked ruler" highlights the moral character of the leader in question. The Hebrew word "רָשָׁע" (rasha) denotes someone who is morally wrong, guilty, or unjust. In the biblical context, a wicked ruler is one who does not follow God's laws and principles, leading to corruption and injustice. Such a ruler prioritizes personal gain over the welfare of the people, often resulting in societal decay and suffering. The Bible frequently contrasts wicked rulers with righteous ones, emphasizing the blessings of just leadership (Proverbs 29:2).

over a helpless people
The phrase "helpless people" underscores the vulnerability of the subjects under such a ruler. The Hebrew word "עָם" (am) refers to a community or nation, while "אֶבְיוֹן" (evyon) implies poverty or neediness. This paints a picture of a populace that is unable to defend itself against the tyranny of a wicked ruler. In the biblical narrative, God often shows concern for the oppressed and calls for justice and protection for the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3-4). The verse serves as a warning against the abuse of power and a call to leaders to act with righteousness and compassion.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Roaring Lion
In biblical literature, lions often symbolize power, ferocity, and danger. A roaring lion represents a threat that is both imminent and terrifying.

2. Charging Bear
Bears are known for their strength and unpredictability. A charging bear signifies sudden and overwhelming danger.

3. Wicked Ruler
This refers to a leader who is morally corrupt and unjust, using their power to oppress rather than to serve.

4. Helpless People
These are individuals or communities who lack the means to defend themselves against oppression, often suffering under unjust leadership.
Teaching Points
The Nature of Wicked Leadership
Wicked rulers are compared to dangerous animals, emphasizing the threat they pose to society. This highlights the importance of righteous leadership.

The Vulnerability of the Helpless
The 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 Governance
Believers are encouraged to pray for and support leaders who govern justly and to hold accountable those who do not.

Spiritual Vigilance
Just 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 5:8
This 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 10:1-2
This passage condemns unjust rulers who make oppressive laws, similar to the wicked ruler in Proverbs 28:15.

Psalm 82:3-4
These verses call for justice for the weak and fatherless, urging protection for the helpless, contrasting the behavior of a wicked ruler.
Sermons
The Source of Disturbance and the Secret of SecurityW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:1, 13, 25
Hidden ManhoodW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:12, 28
The Wicked RulerE. Johnson Proverbs 28:15, 16
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Bear, Charging, Evil, Growling, Helpless, Lion, Loud-voiced, Poor, Ranging, Ravenous, Roaring, Ruler, Ruling, Rushing, Wandering, Wicked
Dictionary 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 Proverbs

The 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

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