Proverbs 1:7 KJV - “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Notice the parallel here – The fear of the Lord is held by some, and the word of God is stating that those who fear the Lord have begun to have knowledge. On the other hand are those who spurn wisdom and instruction. They are called out as fools. In between Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 1:29 the author of Proverbs speaks of wisdom calling out to foolish men who refuse to hear and who reject the counsel of wisdom and in the last verse of that exposition we read the words, “For that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.” Proverbs 1:30-32 continues with the lament that their end is declared and their destruction is assured. This could easily have been avoided if only they had listend and applied it.
Then Proverbs 1:33 closes out the chapter with a wonderful assurance for those who listen to the voice of wisdom when it declares, “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Note: We begin with the fear of the Lord being the “beginning of knowledge.” From that we can come to a clear understanding that up to the point that we fear the Lord we are all without knowledge. Only the fear of the Lord brings the knowledge that breaks every yoke in our lives. Why fear? Why isn't this verse saying that “the love of the Lord” is the beginning of knowledge?
How many times throughout the scriptures are we told we are to fear God? Did Jesus ever encourage fear when speaking of God? Read Matthew 10:28 to find out. Did the Apostle Paul ever speak of the terror of the Lord? Read 2 Corinthians 5:11 for the answer..
There is a misconception among Christians in today's world of soft preaching that speaks only of love for God and never of the fear of God. It is an unbalanced misrepresentation of God's word and has led many to be careless in their walk with the Lord. It has also led many unbelievers to be foolish enough to mock God and challenge his existence and laugh at his words believing they can do so with impunity. The fault lies at the door of the body of Christ and repentance is in order if we are to ever see a revival in our generation.
The true position of all Christians must return to one of both fear and love because I am convinced that both help us walk the narrow way circumspectly and with wisdom. God would not present fear throughout his word if it wasn't needed.
In the book of Jude there are two verses of great significance that we should memorize or at least be able to easily locate if we intend to minister for the Lord. Jude 22-23 “And of some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with 'fear,' pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
I will finish with this thought – A friend of mine who was a Christian and had served in the ministry told me how he came to Christ. He had a co-worker on his job that would tell him of the love of Jesus for him and continued to tell him of that love for 20 years. He laughed at his friend and toyed with him concerning his faith until the friend finally got angry and said; “Henry, if you don't get right with God before you die you will bust Hell wide open.” Henry worked at the same place I worked and he told me this story and then he said; “All the years of pushing God's love at him didn't work and only made him determined to laugh at his friend and reject Christ, but the fear of Hell coming from that single admonition of his friend scared him into repentance and salvation. He later became a preacher remaining faithful to the Lord.
I have learned over the years that I must have the heart and mind of Christ when I am presenting Jesus Christ to the lost world around me. Some will respond to the love of God and others will not. Those who aspire to be ministers need to preach the entire counsel of scripture not just that which they feel might appeal to their listeners. Investing plenty of time with God and in His word will help us to be sensitive and in tune with the Holy Spirit and speak the right words in due season. It could be the “eternal difference” in someone's life.
Key Words In This Chapter
Words for the wicked and fools
fear,Lord,fools,wisdom,scorners,reproof, calamity,desolation,whirlwind,distress,anguish, hated knowledge,despised reproof,prosperity of fools
Words for the godly and wise
God tells us to “hearkeneth unto me,dwell safely,quiet from fear of evil
The key words alone teach a valuable lesson. Notice the number of them. 14 declarations necessary (and more) teaching the foolishness of rejecting the fear of the Lord and then a continuing warning of the end results of such a life but with no repentance. The wicked are amply warned in this portion of scripture but choose to totally disregard their own need and what would be coming to them because they despise anything wisdom offered up to them.
Now look at the words addressed to the wise who listen to the voice of wisdom. 3 short and encouraging statements concerning them. They listen, dwell safely and are unafraid.
What is so important to the wicked that they would rather turn from safety to destruction? What lesson does this portion of scripture hold for us as Christians? What lesson is clearly taught in seeking to encourage unbelievers to become wise rather than fools?
There are many voices in the world today enticing believers and unbelievers alike to forsake wisdom and knowledge in favor of pleasing our flesh and living for the here and now. Satan always makes his temptations seem so sweet and alluring while hiding the end results that follow serving ourselves and by extension following the devil. But the scriptures don't mince words concerning how Satan leads as ending in eternal death and damnation.
Let's be wise today and all the days we live. Reject the tempter and using the authority God has granted to believers in the name of Jesus resist the devil and he will flee from you. Simply command Satan and his demons in the name of Jesus Christ to flee and they have no choice. Christians have been called to victory. We need to win, not just for our sake but for the sake of others.
C R Lord © 1/25/2019
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