Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7 is regarded as the key to the entire book of wisdom. From Proverbs 1:7 we are going to be introduced to two ways to view and respond to God. How we view and respond to God is going to make all the difference in this world and in the world to come. We do have a choice but we need to remember that as we make our choice our choice makes us.
Here in Proverbs 1:7 we are introduced to the fear of the LORD, and we are introduced to fools. The one who fears the Lord has decided to acknowledge there is God and God is the sole authority of their life. As one fears the Lord they will be in awe of God and offer adoration to God. There will be reverence for God and respect shown to God. The one fearing the Lord will obey God’s Word and follow closely His will for their lives. Having this attitude toward God makes them teachable and they will then learn to live life the way God intended it to be lived. As they live life the way God intended it to be lived, they will experience satisfaction as Proverbs 19:23 says the fear of the LORD leads to life, and those who have this attitude toward God will abide in satisfaction!
On the other hand, there is the fool. A fool, we learn from Psalm 14:1, says in their heart there is no God. They see themselves as the god of their own lives. Therefore, when it comes to getting wisdom and knowledge, and instruction from God on how to live, they reject God’s Word to the level of despising wisdom and instruction.
Friends, there is God, and you are not Him. You must decide if you believe this truth. The fool is going to say in his heart no God. If you decide you believe there is God, then you have to follow up that decision with how you respond to Him. The Wisdom books say fear the LORD. As you recognize there is God you have an awe and a reverence and respect for God that leads to submitting to His authority. This response to God then opens up all kinds of blessings to come your way.
So, what camp are you in? Are you the fool who says there is no God or are you a God-fearing person?
Continue Strong with reverence for and respect of almighty God
And remember to DATE the Word