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Proverbs 1:7 - Knowledge Begins with Fear, Respect and Reverence for God.

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:7 (TEV) To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord.  Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.

PREFACE

In this study it is helpful to remember we are talking about the one and only God who has these Infinite qualities; Eternal, Supreme, Sovereign, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnibenevolent, Immutable, Holy, True, Just, Loving, Merciful, and Faithful to name some of the major ones.

WORD STUDY

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]

INTRODUCTION

In this present age of information and technology, we have plenty of head knowledge at our fingertips. But true knowledge - what the Bible calls wisdom - is all too scarce. Wisdom means far more than simply knowing a lot. It requires a basic mind-set that affects every aspect of life. This mind-set is characterized by an eager desire to learn from God, from experience, and from others. The foundation of true knowledge, or wisdom, is to fear the Lord, which means to revere, honor, and respect him, to live in awe of his power, and to obey his Word. Doing so will affect your identity, your attitudes, your actions, and your future. Keep drawing close to God - learn who he is, why he created this world, and what he wants you to know. Then you will be truly wise. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Proverbs 1:7. One sentence of Scripture is of more value than ten thousand of man's ideas or arguments. Those who refuse to follow God's way will finally receive the sentence, "Depart from Me." But when we submit to God's way, the Lord Jesus guides our minds and fills our lips with assurance. We may be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Receiving Christ, we are clothed with power. An indwelling Saviour makes His power our property. The truth becomes our stock in trade. No unrighteousness is seen in the life. We are able to speak words in season to those who know not the truth. Christ's presence in the heart is a vitalizing power, strengthening the entire being.  7T71

COMMENTARY

Revering God
   As we look at the state of the world around us, at what has happened in the past and what we may face in the year ahead, there is much to fear: Will a sniper terrorize our community as has happened in other areas? Will the bottom fall out of the economy? Will my job be jeopardized? Will there be violence at my child's school? Fear about possibilities like these can consume us, producing increased stress and even illness. But today's verse tells us that there is only one thing to fear - God himself. This fear is not an unhealthy fear that leads to cringing and hiding as Adam and Eve did after they had disobeyed God. Rather, it is a humble and honest recognition of God's beauty, sovereignty, and preeminence so that worshiping and serving him take first place in our lives. It is a healthy reverence that leads to intimacy and an understanding that the power of God residing in us by his Spirit is greater than the power of our fears or of our enemy Satan. A deep sense of awe about who God is leads to the true knowledge and wisdom we desperately need for our lives today and in the year ahead.
   LORD, develop in me a deep reverence of you that leads to Life, wisdom, and greater intimacy with you. Open my heart to be teachable and to receive correction and discipline willingly. Grant that I would fear you, Father, and not my circumstances in the present or the what-if's of the future. May I be so filled with your Love that faith would replace my fear. [Praying Through the Bible by Fuller]

Changing Deeply.
   Faith in Jesus moves us from the dread of punishment to the godly fear that is the beginning of wisdom. In Christ we no longer fear God's judicial penalty (Romans 8:1,15). But wisdom requires a genuine hatred of wrongdoing, not just a calculated avoidance of it out of self-interest. The dread of punishment only makes us self-absorbed - worried about being hurt. The True Fear Of The Lord Serves Him Out Of Joy And High Appreciation For Who He Is. "Even If There Were No Hell," This Kind Of Loving Fear "Would Still Shudder At Offending Him Alone."
   The difference between slavish, self-interested fear and the true fear of the Lord is the difference between a mere moralist and a real Christian. There Is No Wise Living Unless We Have A Relationship With Him, One In Which We Obey Him Out Of Love For Who He Is. Only a faith sight of Jesus' sacrificial love for us both humbles us and yet affirms us into the joyful fear of the Lord.
   Do you refrain from sins mainly because you hate their consequences? Or Do You Refrain Out Of Distaste For The Sins Themselves, As They Grieve And Offend God?
   Lord, "give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name" (Psalm 86:11). Yes - when I do wrong it rebounds on me and I hate that. But make yourself so real to me that I long to do right and be holy for your sake, just to bring you delight. Then I will fear you truly and walk in wisdom. Amen. [God's Wisdom for Navigating Life by Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller]

AI COMMENTARY

   "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" means that true wisdom starts with a deep, reverent awe and respect for God, acknowledging His supreme power, holiness, and authority, which leads to obedience and a desire to live according to His ways, rather than mere terror or fright. It's the foundational understanding that God is the source of all truth, making all other learning valuable only when built on this relationship, contrasting with "fools who despise wisdom and instruction" by rejecting this divine starting point.
   Key aspects of "fear of the Lord":
      o Reverence & Awe: Recognizing God's greatness, majesty, and holiness, similar to the awe one feels before something powerful.
      o Respect & Obedience: A healthy fear that leads to submission to God's will and Word, turning away from evil.
      o Foundation for Wisdom: It's the essential starting point, placing all other knowledge in its proper context and making it truly useful.
   What it means in practice:
      o It's not just terror: It's more profound than being scared; it's a loving reverence that values God's character and commands.
      o It contrasts with foolishness: Fools reject this foundation, choosing instead to ignore God's guidance and live by their own limited understanding.
      o It's holistic: True wisdom involves seeing life from God's perspective, which begins with this foundational fear and leads to actions that honor Him.

   "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" serves as the foundational motto for the entire Book of Proverbs. It establishes that true understanding is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a spiritual one rooted in a right relationship with God.
   Meaning of "Fear of the LORD"
   In this context, "fear" primarily refers to reverent awe and profound respect for God's holiness, power, and authority.
      o Awe vs. Terror: It is not a paralyzing terror or a desire to hide from God. Instead, it is a "knee-knocking" realization of His greatness that leads to humble submission.
      o Acknowledgment of Sovereignty: It involves recognizing God as the Creator and ultimate source of truth, leading to an "affectionate reverence" for His word and commands.
      o Relational Priority: It places God at the center of one's life, acknowledging that He knows what is best.
   Meaning of "The Beginning"
   The Hebrew word for "beginning" has multiple layers of meaning in this verse:
      o Starting Point: Chronologically, one cannot even start the journey toward true wisdom without first acknowledging God.
      o Foundation: It is the essential "controlling principle" or bedrock upon which all other knowledge must be built to be meaningful.
      o Priority: It can be translated as "the chief thing" or "the best thing," signifying that revering God is the most important part of any educational or spiritual endeavor.

CLOSING THOUGHT

While we must never on the one hand lose the freedom to enter boldly and joyfully by faith into God's presence during our lives on earth, we must also learn how to revere God in our relationship with him.... Intimacy cannot occur without respect. John White [Praying Through the Bible by Fuller]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Proverbs 1:7 - Knowledge Begins with Respect and Reverence for God.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220901-0808.html

Proverbs 9:10 - The Beginning And Foundation Of Wisdom.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250307-1453.html

Psalm 111:10 - Wisdom 101.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240802-1225.html

Job 28:28 - How To Get Wisdom And Understanding.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240404-0830.html

Proverbs 8:13 - To Fear God And Hate Evil.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140316-1625.html

Ecclesiastes 12:13 - The Whole Duty of Man.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240109-0757.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/