October 15, 2017 (Proverbs 1:7)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov 1:7). Deeply reverent respect of God’s power, holiness, and majesty is intended to produce holy fear of offending His revealed will. The Hebrew yirah which is translated “fear” is an exceedingly great fear as opposed to a degree of reverence.   It is the same word describing reaction of the Hebrews before Mount Sinai when they trembled at God’s display of power (Exodus 20:18,19). At that time, Moses told the people that God desired this fear to keep them from sinning (20:20). Here in Proverbs, we’re told this fear is to insure that we earnestly seek knowledge of God’s will through careful study of the scriptures followed by obedient application of God’s instructions as the only sure standard by which to guide thoughts, speech, and behavior. To gain God’s wisdom is said elsewhere to be of far great value than the possession of gold or silver. To despise laws and decrees of God as revealed in His Word is a characteristic of those described as fools who reap what they sow, i.e. condemnation instead of eternal life in the glorious presence of man’s Creator. When the Hebrew people failed to live in accord with the revealed will of God, we find it explained by the apostle Paul that they were “broken off” from fellowship with God as a consequence (Romans 11). The same fate awaits those Christians who either turn from God or become lukewarm in their faith as warned by Jesus Himself (Revelation 3:16).