Proverbs 1:7
Following the introduction, the author sets the stage for all that follows. A theme found repeatedly in Proverbs is that of “the fear of the LORD”, fourteen times in all. This is the ruling thought under which all the principles found in Proverbs are to be understood. It is interesting to also note Solomon’s summary statement at the end of Ecclesiastes, capsulizing both the book and his search for meaning:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man.”Eccl. 12:13
A. Definition
awe and reverence; reverent worship; obedience
The phenomenon of “fear” in both the Old and New Testaments reflects common emphases as far as attitudes to God are concerned — whether one is talking about the terror of God or worshipful reverence. The Old Testament, however, places a greater emphasis on the terror of God as a consequence of divine punishment because of the dominant theme of retribution for violation of covenant obligation. In the old covenant, the fear of Yahweh resulted from the onset of physical catastrophes such as military defeat, disease, invasion, and slaughter from enemy forces — experiences that were often repeated many times over. The New Testament, however, focuses on the ultimate punishment of eternal separation from God, which by definition is a non-repeatable phenomenon. This theme is highlighted in the book of Revelation and in certain parts of Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels — both by explicit mention of the terms for “fear” as well as by implication from the contexts.Renn
reverent regard for their God, tempered with awe and fear of the punishment of disobedience.ISBE
The fear of God, which is one with true reverence for God, includes : 1) right knowledge of God ; 2) a genuine standing in fear before God; 3) faith, or the believing consecration to God, which distinguishes this fear from all servile dread, and fleeing from God ; 4) the worship of God which aids to a true reconciliation with Him, a well ordered and assured control of the whole life. Therefore the fear of God is not merely beginning it is quite the sum of all wisdom, the right manager of all our counsels in prosperity and adversity.MELANCHTHON
in other words, complete devotion to God.
B. Relational
LORD – YHWH – self-existent covenant-keeping God
his character as revealed by his glory to Moses:Ex. 34:5-8
5The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.6The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,7keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”8And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.
consider how many of those descriptive words and phrases are relational
mercy
grace
patience (longsuffering, slow to anger)
steadfast love
forgiveness
pardon
proper fear of God
God is relational – think Trinity; man is made in God’s image, therefore relational. Fear (as in worship and reverence in the biblical sense) is a relational concept. To properly fear God:
requires context of right relationship
requires knowledge of God AND love for him
true knowledge of the world and how to live (applied knowledge = wisdom) requires knowledge of God
proper use of knowledge and wisdom require love for God
C. Is Foundational
Prov 1:7The fear of the LORD is thebeginningof knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.ESV
the first step in acquiring moral knowledge
All heathen wisdom is but folly. Of all knowledge the knowledge of God is the principal. There is no true knowledge without godliness.Bridges
Prov 9:10The fear of the LORD is thebeginningof wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.ESV
the foundation on which to apply the knowledge of God, to build a life of godliness
Prov 15:33The fear of the LORD isinstructionin wisdom, and humility comes before honor.ESV
it leads to the discipline of wisdom
1. It is the beginning of wisdom.
2. It is also the beginning of knowledge.
3. It is the instruction of wisdom. Wisdom derives its most important lessons from the fear of God. He who fears God much, is well taught.Adam Clarke
If the goal of Proverbs is to instruct God’s people in how to structure and order their lives in ways pleasing to him, a right starting or foundational principle is required – to be equipped to understand the book, to succeed in reaching the goal. The principle – the fear of the LORD.
D. Has a Reward
Prov 10:27The fear of the LORDprolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.ESV
practically, because the righteous avoid behaviors and choices that are harmful
spiritually, because God blesses and protects the righteous
(It’s a proverb; that means it is a general principle that is usually true. God still has the right to give a scoundrel a long life and take a saint home at a young age.)
Prov 14:27The fear of the LORD isa fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.ESV
compareJohn 4:14: “But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
the grace which comes from God to those who fear him results in everlasting life
Prov 19:23The fear of the LORD leads tolife, and whoever has itrests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.ESV
can sleep easy and untroubled; clear conscience
those committed to a life of godliness usually experience good rest. Hard day’s work, fresh air, go to bed a good kind of tired, sleep like a baby.
Prov 22:4The reward for humility and fear of the LORD isrichesandhonorandlife.ESV
practically, because the righteous possess true wisdom to make decisions that lead to profitable use of resources; wisdom is recognized and honored by others who possess it
spiritually, eternal riches and honor are added to eternal life for the righteous
God still reserves the right to do as he pleases in the lives of particular individuals; this is no warrant for a prosperity gospel.
Prov 31:30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to bepraised.ESV
a life lived in the fear of the LORD will result in the praise of God and those who love him
Prov 2:1-5My son,ifyoureceivemy words andtreasureup my commandments with you,2:2making your earattentiveto wisdom andincliningyour heart to understanding;2:3yes,ifyoucall outfor insight andraise your voicefor understanding,2:4ifyouseekit like silver andsearchfor it as for hidden treasures,2:5thenyou will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.ESV
the reward comes only as the result of diligent effort
no positive action, no reward
E. Results in an Attitude
Prov 8:13The fear of the LORD ishatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.ESV
Prov 16:6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD oneturns away from evil.ESV
fearing the LORD = hating evil = rejection of sin, having nothing to do with it
carefully abstaining from all sin out of a true dislike of it; prior attraction to sin has been replaced by an attraction to God. God and evil are mutually exclusive – “no one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.“Matt. 6:24
Prov 14:26In the fear of the LORD one hasstrong confidence, and his children will havea refuge.ESV
The fear of the LORD— such is the Christian paradox — emboldens. Its child-like spirit shuts out all terrors of conscience, all forebodings of eternity.Confidence — strong confidence— issues out of it. Abraham sacrificed his son inthe fear of God;yet fullyconfident, “that God was able to raise him up from the dead.” (Gen 22:12,withHeb 11:17-19.)The fear of Godled the Babylonish captives with unshakenconfidenceinto the fiery furnace. (Dan 3:16-18.) And thus does the child of God, while walking in godlyfear, rejoice inconfidence, even in the most frowning dispensation.Charles Bridges
F. Conclusion
Not all that claims to be true is true.
Not everything that is claimed to be God’s truth is so.
The one who would please God in all his ways
must be able to discern truth from error.
must be able to discern God’s truth from other truth; key: God’s truth is always true, is absolute, and can be found in Scripture.
must be able wisely choose the right course of action.
Most important, our striving to please God must be motivated by a heart captivated by love for Christ.
