Pro 28:15 | KingComments | STEP | “A roaring lion and a rushing bear” are awe-inspiring beasts that know no compassion at all ( ). They follow their instincts and hunt their prey. Once they have it, they tear it apart. These ferocious beasts that frighten and pursue their prey are the fitting symbol for “a wicked ruler over a poor people”. Political tyrants, like these beasts, are unaccountable, powerful, insensitive, cruel, bloodthirsty and tearing apart. The ruthless world rulers Daniel sees in a vision are also depicted as beasts ( ). The poor suffer under such tyrants because they cannot meet their demands (cf. ). In this “wicked” ruler we see a picture of the antichrist. This extremely cruel ruler will be accepted as leader by the unbelieving mass of the Jewish people after the rapture of the church. This wicked one will particularly target the believing remnant, which we see in “a poor people”. But they will be redeemed by the true David when He returns to earth. As David “killed both the lion and the bear” ( ), so the Lord Jesus will kill the wicked antichrist we see here in the lion and the bear. A tyrant always “lacks understanding” ( ). He is blinded by lust for power and maintains his power by his performance as “a great oppressor”. His lust for money determines his actions. He oppresses people, for example, by imposing heavy taxes. In contrast (“but”) is the righteous ruler. This is one who is not after his own gain ( ). Not only is he not after money, but is one who “hates unjust gain”. That ruler “will prolong [his] days”. In this we again see the Lord Jesus, Whose kingship will have no end ( ).

‏ Proverbs 28:15

The Tyrant

“A roaring lion and a rushing bear” are awe-inspiring beasts that know no compassion at all (Pro 28:15). They follow their instincts and hunt their prey. Once they have it, they tear it apart. These ferocious beasts that frighten and pursue their prey are the fitting symbol for “a wicked ruler over a poor people”. Political tyrants, like these beasts, are unaccountable, powerful, insensitive, cruel, bloodthirsty and tearing apart. The ruthless world rulers Daniel sees in a vision are also depicted as beasts (Dan 7:1-8). The poor suffer under such tyrants because they cannot meet their demands (cf. Ecc 4:1).

In this “wicked” ruler we see a picture of the antichrist. This extremely cruel ruler will be accepted as leader by the unbelieving mass of the Jewish people after the rapture of the church. This wicked one will particularly target the believing remnant, which we see in “a poor people”. But they will be redeemed by the true David when He returns to earth. As David “killed both the lion and the bear” (1Sam 17:34-36), so the Lord Jesus will kill the wicked antichrist we see here in the lion and the bear.

A tyrant always “lacks understanding” (Pro 28:16). He is blinded by lust for power and maintains his power by his performance as “a great oppressor”. His lust for money determines his actions. He oppresses people, for example, by imposing heavy taxes. In contrast (“but”) is the righteous ruler. This is one who is not after his own gain (Exo 18:21). Not only is he not after money, but is one who “hates unjust gain”. That ruler “will prolong [his] days”. In this we again see the Lord Jesus, Whose kingship will have no end (Lk 1:32-33).