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Answer
The proverbs that Solomon records “give prudence to the naive and to the youth knowledge and discretion” (Proverbs 1:3-4). The wisdom they provide is more valuable than silver, gold, and fine jewels, and there is nothing we can desire that compares with it (Proverbs 3:14-15). In Solomon’s proverbs of wisdom, many contrasts are found, especially between the wise and the foolish, and the righteous and the wicked. These contrasts help us understand how to follow the right path and reject the wrong one. One such contrast is found in Proverbs 28:1: “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” The wicked have many reasons to fear, but the righteous have clear consciences and no reason at all to fear. The fears of the wicked will come to pass, while the righteous will see what he desires “The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: But the desire of the righteous shall be granted.”, (Proverbs 10:24).
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 “He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.”, (Proverbs 14:2). Solomon even observes that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”, (Proverbs 1:7)
At the beginning of wisdom «The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the holy is understanding. », (Proverbs 9:10).
To be wise or righteous, one must start with the fear of the Lord, which is found in the Word of the Lord «For the LORD giveth wisdom: Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. », (Proverbs 2:6). When someone fears the Lord, their life is generally prolonged «The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: But the years of the wicked shall be shortened. », (Proverbs 10:27). In the fear of the Lord, there is strong confidence and refuge «In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: And his children shall have a place of refuge. », (Proverbs 14:26). The fear of the Lord is “a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death” «The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To depart from the snares of death. », (Proverbs 14:27). Through the fear of the Lord, one avoids evil «By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: And by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. », (Proverbs 16:6). The fear of the Lord leads to life and satisfying sleep «The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil. », (Proverbs 19:23). The one who fears the Lord is always blessed, unlike the one who hardens his heart and falls into calamity «Happy is the man thatFeareth always: But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. », (Proverbs 28:14).
The fear of the Lord, which could be defined as the proper perspective of and response to the Lord, is a crucial element for righteousness, and Solomon lists many benefits of fearing the Lord. It is no surprise then that “the righteous are as bold as a lion” «The wicked flee when no man pursueth: But the righteous are bold as a lion. », (Proverbs 28:1). The righteous one fears the Creator and Designer of life, and then accordingly follows the design that is prescribed.
Paul, like Solomon, understands that “the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Paul expresses that he has confidence through Christ toward God «And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: », (2 Corinthians 3:4) and that in Christ he has found reason to boast in things pertaining to God «I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. », (Romans 15:17). He acknowledges that one should boast in the Lord «But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. », (2 Corinthians 10:17). Paul’s confidence in God was great, even in the most difficult of circumstances. He could have courage facing those difficulties, knowing that it was Christ who strengthened him «I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. », (Philippians 4:12).And as he asked the Romans, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” «What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? », (Romans 8:31).
God is faithful. He is trustworthy. He is dependable. Those who rely on Him are blessed. As David remarked, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken” «I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. », (Psalm 37:25). Solomon learned well from his own father that “the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
