"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the LORD.”
The proper respect for the LORD, Jehovah, is an essential theme in the scriptures. Over 200 times[1], we are told to “fear the LORD.”
“Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5).
“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:26-27).
What is the “fear of the LORD?” It has been called the “reverential awe” of God. “The fear [of the LORD is] not slavish dread, the “fear that hath torment” (1 John 4:18), but [the fear of the LORD is] childlike reverence.”[2] Our heavenly Father loves us, and we trust Him, we hold Him in awe.
“Is the beginning of knowledge.”
No building without a solid foundation is safe. And no “knowledge” without the “fear of the Lord” as its foundation is stable or reliable. The building blocks of a man’s rock-solid foundation begins with knowledge of the LORD and learning to fear Him.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
Education that omits the instruction of God and a right relationship with Him is flawed and much is lacking in the very truth that will make a man or woman ready for life and ministry.
“No man can ever become truly wise, who does not begin with God, the fountain of knowledge; and he whose mind is influenced by the fear and love of God will learn more in a month than others will in a year” [3] (Clarke).
“But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
A “fool” in the Bible is a person who is devoid of real understanding, or of the knowledge that makes one wise. Not only is he sadly lacking in true wisdom, but he is uncaring and doesn’t know what he’s missing. There is very little hope for the “fool.”
“Fools – That is, wicked men, are so far from attaining true wisdom, that they despise it, and all the means of getting it”[4] (Wesley).
Job had a life-changing relationship with the Most-High God. The only way he could make it through his earthshaking ordeal was because of his firsthand knowledge of God. When he came out of the significant time of testing, he had grown in his relationship with the Lord. But his “education” started with the proper respect for the Lord and holy things.
“I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6).
[1] 278 times, if you are counting.
[2] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword. I have edited the statement to help make the thought clearer.
[3] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] John Wesley. John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.