Proverbs 28 continues the sayings of Solomon, recorded by the order of his 10th-generation grandson, King Hezekiah. And it begins with an often used saying; The wicked flee when no man pursueth...
The guilty fear the wrath they know they deserve. Constantly looking over their shoulder, and quick to defend themselves where no accusations have been made. Paranoia strikes the thief and the murderer, the habitual criminal lives in constant worry of being found out to the point they will expose themselves when there is no threat.
Parents are familiar with this behavior in guilty children. God is used to this in His children as well.
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
This boldness comes from having a clean conscience towards God by the blood of Christ;
Hebrews 10:16-22
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
For God treats us as His children, by faith in Christ, that when we sin, we have forgiveness.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We don't need to keep a guilty conscience, in constant anxiety. We have the boldness of Christ's righteousness and the promise of a merciful Father
The righteous don't despise the chastening of the Lord, or faint when we are rebuked of Him;
Hebrews 12:6-8
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
But the unbelieving allow the fear of their guilt and unrighteousness overcome them, and their love of sin betray and snare them, they flee the throne of God to hide from His vengeance. Especially those that have heard His word and the instruction of righteousness, and have rejected it.
Hebrews 10:26-27
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
