The Beginning of Knowledge

Proverbs 1:7 is a keystone text for the whole book. The fear of the Lord is mentioned 11 times in the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

^ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Is there any characteristic more lacking in man than the fear of the Lord?

We live in the information age. Modern technology, through the internet and wireless devices, provide an immeasurable quantity of data at our fingertips in mere nanoseconds. Still, man is unable to put all knowledge in proper perspective without the fear of God.

It is misunderstood by Christians that believers are to live with the fear of God. It is no longer fear of wrath, but fear of His will, His holiness, His discipline that comes when we are disobedient. It is for the fear of God that the Lord did what he did in Acts 5:1-16 to 2 hypocrites in the church- and through this fear of God, the church grew. We are to both fear and love God to enjoy sweet fellowship with Him and joyful worship.

The fool is the one who does not fear God, but considers himself or herself free enough to live apart from submission to God. Such persons despise true wisdom and instruction; they want to live only for the flesh. In the end, they are ignorant of spiritual things, and remain in bondage in sin.

There are 2 main kinds of people. Those who fear God and grow in spiritual knowledge; and those who, in arrogant foolishness, do not. What kind of person are you? Heed the Lord's warning against foolishness, and fear the Lord.

As it says in Job 28:28 (ESV):

And he [God] said to man,

‘ Behold, ^the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

and to turn away from evil is understanding.’ ”