Proverbs 28:1 (KJV) “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
In Hebrew wisdom literature, imagery from everyday life was used to drive home lessons. In our Scriptural text, Solomon contrasts the guilty conscience of the wicked with the fearless confidence of the righteous. In the context of this Scriptural text, “the wicked” (Hebrew word, rāshā‘) is one that is morally guilty, a criminal, or one under condemnation. In the New Testament, the wicked are those who reject Christ and live enslaved to sin; they are those who love darkness rather than light (John 3:19-20). Wickedness is not just bad behaviour; it is unbelief and conscious rebellion against God’s revealed truth in Jesus Christ. For example, the Pharisees opposed Jesus Christ despite knowing the Scriptures. The wicked are also those who practice sin habitually. The Bible says, “The one who practices sin is of the devil ...” (1John 3:8; AFV). Another Bible version says, “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil ...” (ESV). So, the wicked are not simply people who make mistakes, but those who live in unrepentant, wilful sin.
Now, acts of evil go with inner torment, social consequences, and eventually, divine judgment. Wicked people live under constant fear. The Bible account of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:8-10 exemplifies the wicked fleeing when no man pursues. After sinning, they hid from God even though He was not chasing them. Guilt made them fearful when no physical enemy pursued.
Written by: Pastor Andrew A Esemudje