Proverbs 23:17 - The Fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 23:17 (NKJV) Do not let your heart
envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the
LORD all the day;
Proverbs 23:17 (TEV) Dont be envious of
sinful people; let reverence for the LORD be the
concern of your life.
Proverbs 23:17 (NCV) Dont envy sinners,
but always respect the LORD.
INTRODUCTION
The fear of the LORD means reverence for God
and respect for His Word, a willingness to
listen and a promptness to obey. [Chapter by
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Pro.
1]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Sometimes Christians fall into the habit
of envying evil-doers. But stop for a moment
and think of what awaits people who ignore or
challenge God. Consider the sinner's state: What could
be more terrifying than having as your
prosecutor, judge, jury, then jailer a Father whose Son
you murdered? Someone you've ignored and
offended all your days? Someone whose mercies you
have inhaled over a lifetime without a word of
gratitude - like the spoiled kid on Christmas morning
tearing through his gifts with no thought about who
gave them? Someone whose reputation you only
cared about when it served your purpose? Someone
who can never be outwitted, sweet-talked, or
negotiated into accepting a plea bargain? Someone who
cannot be talked into showing mercy, because the
time for mercy has passed? Such a hopeless
person, is no one to envy!
Little wonder today's verse tells us to
always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. The
eternal state of the believer is blessed beyond
belief! That we who at one time scorned God should
now be showered with his favor and pleasure! May
we never take lightly our salvation, or shrug
the Father's kind arm from our shoulders while
caressing Eden's serpent coiled around our hearts! May
we never envy sinners, but always respect the
fear of the Lord.
Psalm 111:10 says, "The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his
precepts have good understanding..." The truly wise
Christian is the one who invests time in cultivating
an awesome respect and a reverent fear of the
Lord. Our sins nailed the Father's Son to the
tree.., it is only by God's grace that we are
rescued.
Holy Father, I bow in humble respect for
the unspeakable mercy you have shown me in that
you have given me heaven rather than hell. Give
me courage to tell others about the good news
of your grace! [Joni Eareckson Tada Daily
Devotional:
http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Job 28:28 (KJV) And unto man he said,
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20041108-1056.html
Psalm 111:10 (KJV) The fear of the LORD is
the beginning of wisdom:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2011/20110516-1002.html
Proverbs 1:7 (KJV) The fear of the LORD is
the beginning of knowledge;
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060210-0940.html
Proverbs 8:13 (KJV) The fear of the Lord is
to hate evil;
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140316-1625.html
Proverbs 9:10 (KJV) The fear of the LORD is
the beginning of wisdom;
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040510-0914.html
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NKJV) Let us hear the
conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His
commandments;
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2012/20120906-0727.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by Pastor John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
28 Revelations Of Jesus by Pastors Ivan
Blake and James Reynaert:
1st of 28: Divine Dining:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4
4th of 28: Cared For:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds
5th of 28: Salvation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI
6th of 28: You Can Change:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0gkvK18fo
7th of 28: Reprogramming Our Brains:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov36f_RapXc
8th of 28: Our Holy Father:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XabXLEXsxbY
9th of 28: Gifts of Service:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuGZviodkA
10th of 28: The Holy Spirit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in89XVs4cGo
11th of 28: The Law of God:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Q601HjogI
12th of 28: The Sabbath:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sakgnKoTzZI
13th of 28: The Church:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkFw2XsTW-w
14th of 28: The Gift of Prophecy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiO2VC09NPI
15th of 28: Stewardship:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z_lNLAataw
16th of 28: Marriage and the Family:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EybxvMQ0K7E
17th of 28: The Remnant and Its Mission:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK6tix2K2qA
18th of 28: Christian Behavior:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecVGsQfAo7Q
19th of 28: God The Son:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgfbTdh3_l0
20th of 28: Baptism:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsW163qoAic
Live ongoing series in progress.
