Proverbs 28.15-16
“Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.”
Are you surprised by how often Proverbs talks about government and leadership? I hope and pray the Holy Spirit is speaking to you through these verses, because we are living in an era that desperately needs to hear and respond to the timeless truths taught in Proverbs.
Here again is another passage that addresses the subject of oppressive government leaders. We saw a similar theme in verse 12 of this chapter, which compares the impact of wicked leaders to righteous leaders. The righteous leader causes the people to rejoice. The wicked ruler coming into power causes men to run and hide.
Now in these two verses, the impact of rulers on the people is expanded. Solomon compares corrupt leaders to “a roaring lion” and “a charging bear.” This is a vivid picture that everyone can relate to:
- Lions and bears are wild animals you want to avoid.
- They are savage beasts that can do much harm. They can be deadly.
- They are fierce and bloodthirsty predators that can easily overpower people and devour them.
- There is no reasoning or negotiating with a roaring lion or a charging bear. Don’t expect mercy or pity from them.
In other words, having corrupt people in government is having leaders who are predators. They are “cruel oppressors” who make life miserable for those under their rule. Corrupt political leaders treat poor people as lions and bears rule treat their prey: they devour them.
Important note: I don’t think “poor” in this context refers exclusively (or even primarily) to economic poverty. I believe it refers to people who are spiritually poor and mentally weak, and who therefore passively submit to wicked leaders. It refers to those who lack the wisdom and courage to stand strong in opposition to corrupt leadership.
Note also that the proverb says that the leader “who lacks understanding” is also “a cruel oppressor.” Politicians who are ignorant of the principles and standards necessary for liberty and a civil society, and who naively pursue well-intended but misguided policies, end up creating an oppressive social environment. Their policies hurt far more than they help.
Foolish leaders oppress their people. We normally think of an evil, greedy, and vicious ruler as oppressive, but here Solomon describes the oppressor as a leader who lacks good sense and good judgment.
A healthy society that is committed to liberty, equality, and productivity requires leaders of character and competence. Politicians in pursuit of power and personal gain will only lead us to ruin.
“Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” (Exodus 18:21)
