Proverbs 28:15
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As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
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Leaders and rulers who do not take care of the poor are terrible. One of the great duties of leadership and rule is to protect and provide for those unable to defend or help themselves. When a wicked man gets into power and oppresses the poor under his rule, it is a frightening evil. But there is a God in heaven, Who will crush such rulers (Eccl 5:8).
Here is an inspired simile based on God's wisdom and Solomon's observations. A roaring lion is a dangerous and threatening lion (Ps 104:21; Is 31:4; Amos 3:4; I Pet 5:8). A ranging bear is a hungry bear that has gone outside its normal haunts to search for food. These two proverbial examples from the animal kingdom illustrate the brute and savage character of a wicked ruler who oppresses the poor in his kingdom. These cruel beasts have none of the kindness and mercy that characterize godly and noble rulers.
A great ruler protects and provides for the poor, and he will reign for a long time (29:14). Mercy and truth uphold a king, not oppression and greed (20:28). Nations prosper and rejoice under righteous rulers (29:2). But when a covetous and selfish man becomes a ruler, his greed for gain makes him an oppressor, as our context indicates (28:16). It is better to be dead or never to have existed than to suffer under such a tyrant (Eccl 4:1-3).
Pharaoh oppressed the poor Israelites with hard bondage to build his treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses, and he killed their boy babies (Ex 1:8-16). The great and dreadful God of heaven heard the cry of His people (Ex 2:23-25). He laughed last and best! God blessed the midwives for defying Pharaoh (Ex 1:15-21); God used Pharaoh to nourish and train Moses (Acts 7:20-22); God demolished Egypt and killed the firstborn in every family (Ex 10:7; 12:29-30); God told Israel to take the wealth of Egypt when they left (Ex 12:35-36); and God drowned Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea (Ex 14:21-30)!
Saul tried to kill poor David and did kill the priests at Nob, so the blessed God miserably destroyed him and his sons in one battle with the Philistines (I Sam 18:11; 22:12-19; 31:1-13). Ahab and Jezebel conspired to steal a vineyard from Naboth, so God sent dogs to eat Jezebel, and other dogs licked Ahab's blood out of his chariot (I Kgs 21:1-16; 22:34-38; II Kgs 9:30-37). Rehoboam tried to raise taxes to oppress Israel, but he lost ten of Israel's twelve tribes to his competitor (I Kgs 12:1-20). Wicked tyrants will be judged!
But there are more tyrants than just civil rulers. God will also judge cruel and overbearing husbands (Mal 2:10-16; I Pet 3:7). Therefore, it is very important for husbands to love, cherish, and nourish their wives with tender affection (Eph 5:25-29; Col 3:19; I Pet 3:7). Your wife is on loan to you from the Lord, and if you abuse or oppress His gift in any way, there will be hell to pay, in this life and/or in the next life (18:22; 31:31; Mal 2:13).
God commands fathers to avoid oppressing children (Eph 6:4; Col 3:21). A father may have the God-given authority and strength to rule his house; but he better rule with affection and mercy, or the same God that avenged the poor above will come in judgment on him. The God of heaven expects fathers to pity their children (Ps 103:13; Jer 31:20; Luke 11:11-13; 15:20-24). Even chastening for sins is to be done tenderly (3:11-12). Fathers are not the only culprits, as overbearing women are an equal curse (30:21-23).
Consider further, if you think this proverb is merely about political science. Employers must take good care of their employees, especially the poor at the bottom (Lev 25:39-43; Deut 24:14-15; Eph 6:9; Col 4:1). Ministers must never neglect the poor in their congregations, for the Lord Jesus Christ hates partiality (I Tim 5:21; Jas 2:1-7). Though endowed with authority from heaven, ministers are to be like nurses (I Thess 2:7-8).
There is only one perfect ruler, and He sits on the throne of glory over the entire universe - He is the Lord Jesus Christ (II Sam 23:1-5; Ps 45:6-7; Heb 1:8-9). God chose the poor of this world to be His children, and He has assigned their care to the Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor 1:26-31). He has promised to not lose a single one of them - everyone will spend eternity with Him in heaven (John 6:37-39; 10:27-29; 17:2; Rom 8:28-39; Heb 2:13).
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