Proverbs 28.1
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
This proverb teaches that there is a linkage between wickedness and fear on the one hand, and righteousness and courage on the other hand. The good news — the gospel — is that wicked people can get right with God through Jesus Christ, and thereby have a righteousness that makes them as bold as a lion.
It’s important to note that Proverbs tells us that wicked people are sometimes bold, but it is boldness that is misdirected. Proverbs 14.16 says that the fool “rages and is bold” (the same Hebrew word for “bold” is used here). Most versions translate the word “careless”—”the fool rages and is careless.” The point is that the fool gets arrogant and angry, which then leads to acting in a bold and reckless way, even to the point of risking their life.
Conscience is what causes the wicked to flee. Guilt is the parent of fear. People run away when they sense they have done wrong.
Consider Adam in the garden of Eden. He sins against the Lord. He acts wickedly, having given in to the lies of the serpent. Genesis says that Adam and Eve “heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” Not stalking, just walking. And because Adam and Eve now have a bad conscience, they flee and hide.
“And the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” And then the Lord called to the man and said, “Where are you?” And Adam said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3.8-11).
Never before did Adam run away from the presence of God, but now, because of his sin, Adam’s conscience condemns him. He runs and hides from the Lord.
When our hearts are not right before God, we run away from Him. If we want to get our hearts right with God, we must run toward Him.
