The Fear of the LORD: The Beginning of Knowledge
“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
— Proverbs 1:1–7 (KJV)
The opening verses of Proverbs set the tone for the entire book: wisdom is not merely intellectual skill or clever speech—it is moral, spiritual, and deeply relational. It begins not with self-confidence, but with reverent awe before the Lord. True wisdom is the art of living rightly under God’s sovereign rule.
The Source of Wisdom
Solomon introduces the collection as divine instruction for cultivating discernment, integrity, and justice. These virtues are not born of human experience alone; they are gifts imparted by the Lord to those who humbly seek Him. The phrase “to know wisdom and instruction” signals that wisdom is both practical and moral—it shapes not only how we think but how we live.
Notice that the intended audience includes “the simple” and “the young.” Wisdom is not reserved for scholars or sages; it is offered to all who will listen. The heart that fears God can become wise, no matter how humble its beginnings.
The Fear of the LORD
Verse 7 serves as the cornerstone of the entire book—and indeed of all biblical wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” This fear is not terror but reverent awe, an attitude of worshipful submission. It is to recognize God as Creator, Redeemer, and Judge—to acknowledge that all life flows from Him and returns to Him.
To fear the Lord means to order one’s life under His authority. It is the spiritual posture that leads to understanding. Without it, all human insight is ultimately shallow. The fool, by contrast, despises wisdom because he rejects the very foundation of truth—dependence upon God.
Hearing and Growing
Verse 5 invites us into lifelong learning: “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning.” In the biblical sense, wisdom is never static. It grows through obedience, reflection, and humility. The truly wise are teachable, ever aware that they do not possess all knowledge, but walk daily in dependence on divine guidance.
Supporting Scripture
- Job 28:28 — “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
- Psalm 111:10 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments.”
- James 3:17 — “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated.”
Application
In an age that prizes information more than transformation, Proverbs calls us back to the heart of true knowledge—reverence for God. The “fear of the LORD” aligns our minds, desires, and choices with His will. It keeps us humble, guarding us from the pride that leads to folly.
Wisdom begins when we acknowledge that we are not our own. Every area of life—our work, relationships, speech, and thoughts—belongs under His direction. To fear the Lord is not to withdraw in dread but to draw near in submission, trusting that His commands lead to joy and life.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to fear You rightly—to honor You in all my ways. Give me a heart that delights in Your wisdom and shuns the pride of self-reliance. May my words, choices, and thoughts reflect Your truth, that I might live wisely before You. Amen.
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