Fear of the Lord

Prov. 1:7- The (reverent) fear of the Lord (that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome) is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge (its starting point and its essence); But arrogant fools despise (skillful and godly) wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

Note -Proverbs leads us to the embodiment of wisdom, which is Christ. Therefore, we can say, the fear of the Lord Jesus Christ is the beginning of wisdom. All that God reveals of Himself is finally and savingly communicated to us in the person and the work of Jesus; so, when we think about wisdom, we are ultimately thinking about Christ.

Who God is……….

God is self-existent, not depending on anyone for His existence. He is the creator and sustainer of all that exists. He is immutable in His character and His being; as James says, He doesn’t change. We can depend on Him to be absolutely consistent and true to Himself. He is eternal in His existence. 

Note: When we talk about the fear of the Lord, we are talking about the God who made heaven and earth. Since all things exist and act by His decree, since God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, since He fills the universe and is alike present at once to all creatures at all times, all things are equally plain and comprehended by Him. 

God’s wisdom is vastly superior to human wisdom……..

Isaiah 55:8-9-“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (see also Job 28:12-28; Jeremiah 51:15-17).

God alone is wise……

Romans 16:25-27- Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, [leading] to obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen (see also 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 1:25).

It is God who is the source of wisdom……

Proverbs 2:6- For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth (come) knowledge and understanding.

Daniel 2:20- Daniel answered and said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.”

James 1:5- But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

What exactly is the fear of the Lord?

This is not terror. Fear might be equally translated as the love of the Lord, or the knowledge of the Lord, or the trust of the Lord. In Proverbs chapter 14, the Bible says:

Proverbs 14:26-27-   In the (reverent) fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will (always) have a place of refuge. 27 The (reverent) fear of the Lord (that leads to obedience and worship) is a fountain of life, So that one may avoid the snares of death.

Note: When it says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, it is talking about loving the Lord, serving the Lord, and keeping His commandments for your good.

Deut. 10:12-13- 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear (and worship) the Lord your God (with awe-filled reverence and profound respect), to walk (that is, to live each and every day) in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (your choices, your thoughts, your whole being), 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?

Note: To think of the fear of the Lord, think of love, awe, respect, reverence, devotion. It is not natural, it is supernatural. We need to be brought to this. We are brought to this when we realize that God has made us for Himself, that He has made us in His image. This fear, which is the beginning of knowledge actually arises from the discovery of God’s love for us in our sinfulness and rebellion. Grace should teach us the fear of the Lord, to run towards Him. Grace shows us that we need Him. 

What is the beginning of knowledge? 

-We can look at this as the controlling principle. The controlling principle of knowledge, of wisdom, is in the fear of the Lord. It is the knowledge of relationship. The knowledge of the reality of God’s grace. We may try to examine God intellectually, but He examines us spiritually. 

Eccl 12:13- 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear (and worship) the Lord your God (with awe-filled reverence and profound respect), to walk (that is, to live each and every day) in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (your choices, your thoughts, your whole being), 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?

He will die for lack of instruction (discipline), And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray and be lost, (Proverbs 5:23).