Proverbs 28:1 (KJV) “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Let’s begin today’s teaching by defining the phrase, “the righteous”. In Hebrew thought, the righteous (Hebrew word, Tsaddiqîm) are those aligned with God’s will, living under His authority, in integrity, and in covenant faithfulness. The righteous are the “just” that live by faith (Hab. 2:4); they walk in covenant obedience. Now, in the New Testament, righteousness is not by law-keeping alone, but through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified… but the righteousness of God… is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe” (Rom. 3:20-22). New Testament righteousness is “imputed” (credited), not earned. A righteous man in the New Testament sense is one clothed in Christ’s righteousness, standing justified before God, not by his own merit. Christ righteousness produces Spirit-empowered obedience in holiness and love, not legalism. The righteous man isn’t sinless, but “forgiven”, “justified”, and progressively “sanctified”.
In the Ancient Near East (Israel, Babylon, Egypt, Assyria), the lion was considered the king of beasts; it is considered the strongest, most fearless predator in the animal kingdom. Its roar and dominance among the wild beasts made it a symbol of unmatched power and courage. To call someone “lion-like” was to describe them as bold, unshaken, and able to face enemies without fear. So, to say that “the righteous are bold as a lion” is to imply that they have unshakable courage and that they are fearless. The righteous live without fear of man. Their confidence is not arrogance but assurance in God. The Psalmist said, “... in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (Psa. 56:4; KJV).
A Biblical account that exemplifies the phrase, “the righteous are bold as a lion”, is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan. 3:16-18). They fearlessly told King Nebuchadnezzar they would not bow to the golden image, even at the threat of death. Similarly, Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Dan. 6:10, 21-22) is another example. Daniel boldly continued praying despite the king’s decree. In the story of Peter and John (Acts 4:13, 19-20), the rulers marvelled at their boldness when they declared, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” They had lion-like courage in the face of persecution. Standing before Festus and Agrippa (Acts 26:24-29), Apostle Paul boldly testified of Christ, without fear for his life.
Written by: Pastor Andrew A Esemudje