The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

Welcome to the very first post in the Proverbs Perspective Series. I have no doubt that we will both be blessed as we set out to learn more about the Book of Proverbs and how it ministers to us today.

At first I thought that I would go through Proverbs in order, but I quickly realized that would hinder God’s message. I wanted to leave each and every post to Him so that I’m inspired by the flow of His Spirit.

Thus, I prayerfully I asked for my first verse, and He faithfully provided.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

proverbs 9:10 KJV

How very appropriate and timely.

We can go over every scripture in the Book of Proverbs, and if we don’t grasp this concept, then we are stuck. Because this is where wisdom begins.

We must have fear of the Lord.

Where Wisdom Begins

When you open up chapter one in the Book of Proverbs, you are welcomed with a description of the wisdom that lies within.

We know that all scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and that every Word is breathed from God, but I can’t help but feel that Proverbs delivers a powerful punch. Within this book are tiny treasures to unearth and chapter one lays the foundation. It’s where wisdom is found.

When we take heed and listen to the direction this Book gives, we open ourselves up to instruction from the Lord.

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, King of Israel.

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.

Proverbs 1:1-6 nlt

Living Without Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 1:7 states that fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Sadly, we don’t have to look very far around us to see that foolishness is running amuck and it’s largely because there is no fear of the Lord. People are making up their own rules and devising wicked plans.

However, the Word says that every knee will bow, and everyone will give an account to Him.

For the Scriptures say,

“As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.'”

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

Romans 14:11-12 NLT

I am convinced that because there are so many who don’t know Jesus as their Savior, they are blinded and live out life without conviction. They are lost and they are living as such.

On the other hand, there are also those who have accepted Him as Lord of their life, and still they live without fear of the Lord. They don’t count the costs of their decisions. They live according to how they feel instead of living fruitful lives for Christ.

My point is, it’s not only the lost who are living foolishly. It’s those who have been tasted salvation as well.

It is our own pride that keeps us from fearing the Lord.

Feelings Rather Than Reverent Fear

We can become disillusioned and somehow convinced that our decisions don’t have consequences. We are confronted with more choices than ever before in history and that can lead to us overlooking the importance of each decision we make.

If we allow our feelings to control our decision-making process rather than discerning what God’s will is, then we set ourselves up for failure. Even tiny choices can impact our future.

Are we choosing rage over meekness? Is there scheming rather than abiding? Are we striving rather than submitting?

These are all important questions we should be asking ourselves as disciples of Christ as we will all stand before Him without excuse.

Our lives should reflect a heart that is not only submitted to Him, but also poised in reverential fear of Him.

If we take His sovereignty in our lives into full consideration we should truly be in awe. He has spared us from so much. He has created everything we see. By His grace and mercy we have a place in Heaven where we will worship Him forever. We should look different from the world and our choices should reflect that.

The fear of God should have us examining the words we say before we say them or before we behave a certain way. We can’t hide anything from a God who sees all.

The Hebrew Midwives Who Feared God

In the Book of Exodus there was a time when the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. Pharaoh hoped to wear them down with crushing labor for he was worried that they would soon overpower the Egyptians. However, his plan did not work and the Israelites multiplied greatly.

That is when the Pharaoh gave an order to the Hebrew midwives Shiprah and Puah to kill all of the Israelite baby boys. Nonetheless, that plan backfired as well because the midwives feared God more than they feared the Pharaoh.

“But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.”

Exodus 1:17 NLT

The midwives were ultimately blessed because instead of fearing man, they feared God instead.

“So God was good to the midwives, and the Israelites continued to multiply, growing more and more powerful. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.”

Exodus 1:20-21 NLT

Not only were the two women blessed but the Israelites continued to grow in number and in power because of their bravery.

We Are To Fear God, Not the World

We are presented with the same types of decisions today. There are parts of the world where it is illegal to preach the Gospel or own a Bible, and yet it is legal to kill your own unborn baby. The laws of the land don’t always represent what is right in the sight of God. And yet, some hold the laws of the land to a higher standard rather than having the fear of the Lord.

We are to be bold for Christ and be willing to proclaim His truth to the masses. There should be a fight for righteousness and we should speak up when there is injustice. We are not to shrink back when confronted by those who tell us we should compromise our convictions or stay silent. We are to stand in the face of our adversary and proclaim the God’s will be done.

“The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Psalms 118:6 nlt

This can be done peacefully and without intentionally hurting others. This can be done without petty argument or rage. It can be accomplished simply by aligning our thoughts and actions with those of our Lord Jesus, and speaking God’s truth.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

2 timothy 1:7 nlt

Join me as we discuss the verse above from 2 Timothy in this month’s Proverb’s Perspective newsletter.

For if God does not give us a spirit of fear, why must we fear Him?

I will address this and other key verses. It will be eye-opening so please subscribe below so you don’t miss out.