Category: Proverbs (Page 2 of 4)

See the opening two posts here and here.

There are three movements within the fear of the Lord. The first of these is: The Fear of the Lord comes before wisdom.

Mark that again: if you want wisdom from God you’re going to have to travel into and through the fear of the Lord. You will never know the mind of God, find the will of God, and walk the path of God without the fear of the Lord.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7a). “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (9:10a). As “the beginning of” both knowledge and wisdom, the fear of the Lord has priority over both. The fear of the Lord comes before wisdom from God arrives.

Consider what is meant by “the beginning of.” The fear of the Lord is not simply the first step in a long journey. Necessary and essential but, once taken, soon left behind for all the other strides to come. No, the fear of the Lord is more fundamental than that. It points to the chief thing, the principle thing, the most fundamental element upon which all things to come are built.

I remember hearing Dr. Bruce Waltke say that the fear of the Lord is to wisdom and knowledge what the first rung is to the whole structure of a ladder. If you would ascend, you will have to make use of that first rung. But every other upward step depends on the ongoing reality and foundation of that first rung! Without it you’ll be making a sudden and unwanted descent.

Similarly, it has been said that the fear of the Lord is to wisdom and knowledge what the ABC’s are to the English language. Every word is formed from some combination of the letters of the alphabet. Without the alphabet there is no English language, there is no communication, and there can be no depth of relationship.

The fear of the Lord is to wisdom and knowledge what the notes of the musical scale are to a symphony. Without them there is no music.

At the head of the path leading to everything you want out of life is the fear of the Lord. There is no way around it. No fear of the Lord, no wisdom. You must embrace it and travel through it if you will have the wisdom that enables life to be all God desires it to be.

See the opening post in this series here.

Yes, the fear of the Lord is a key, a fountain, and a passageway. Notice too that the fear of the Lord is the front cover, back cover, and spine of God’s book of wisdom, Proverbs.

It is the front cover: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

It is the back cover: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (31:30).

And as a book opens on the hinge of its spine, so the first and the second halves of Proverbs turn on Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

The first mention of fear in the Bible is found when Adam and Eve, due to their sin-shame, have hidden from God. When questioned about this new wrinkle in their relationship to God, Adam answered, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10).

But I suggest to you that fear existed before that moment. Adam was experiencing a newly distorted, twisted, ugly, life-draining fear. But prior to their grab for independence fear had been a beautiful, healthy, loving, life-giving reality. You were created for that fear. Sin has made fear destructive. God’s original intent for fear was that it be the key to everything in our relationship to Him, an unceasing fountain issuing forth in life, the passageway through which we entered into the glories of relationship to Him.

What we need is not an eradication of fear, but a resurrection of fear as it first was . . . and by God’s mercies, ever will be throughout eternity.

It is profoundly simple: The fear of the Lord is the key to everything about life.

Today I set before you a key, a fountain, and a passageway. These are not three separate items. They are one item which at one and the same time is a key, a fountain, and a passageway.First, a key. Isaiah dangles before us a tantalizing possibility: God “will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge.” Sounds inviting. How do I get in on this kind of relationship to God? The prophet continues: “the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure” (Isaiah 33:6, NIV). Can you see the treasure chest laden with riches? In your hand is the key to unlock it and make it yours.

Second, a fountain. “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life” says Solomon (Proverbs 14:27a). Bubbling unceasingly, crystal, cold, clear water! The “water of life” (Rev. 21:6; 22:1, 17)! Stop! On your knees! Drink!

Finally, a passageway. “The fear of the LORD leads to life” (Proverbs 19:23a). Like the secret door that opens to a world of wonder previously unknown and unimaginable, the fear of the Lord opens to possibilities you’ve never yet considered. Put your hand upon the door. Swing it open. Step forward. Step through.