THE LIGHT OF WISDOM (6)

“The FEAR of the LORD is the BEGINNING of WISDOM…” – Proverbs 9:10a

The Fear of the Lord is a primary prerequisite for receiving the LIGHT of WISDOM: “The FEAR of the LORD is the BEGINNING of WISDOM, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Pro.9:10). The word translated “fear” in the Bible, has varied meanings. There is the dread or terror one feels in a frightening situation. It can mean “respect” in the way a servant fears his master and serves him faithfully. Fear also denotes the awe or reverence felt in the presence of greatness, as Isaiah did before God (Isa. 6:5).

The Fear of the Lord connotes all of these. Joshua commanded Israel to: “fear the Lord, serve Him with sincerity and in truth” (Jos. 24:14a). This is a continual awareness that our loving heavenly Father is watching and evaluating everything we think, say, and do. David declared: “You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar of” (Psa.139:2). Jeremiah said: “But You, O Lord, know me; You have seen me, and You have tested my heart toward You” (Jer.12:3a). Nothing escapes His attention! To develop Godly Fear, we must know God for Who He is; and glimpse with our spirits, His Immense Power, matchless Might, Beauty, and Brilliance (Isa.6:1-5; Rev. 4:11).

When we fear the Lord, we eagerly submit to Him in reverence, humility and faith: “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day” (Pro. 23:17). To fear God is to hate evil and choose to turn away from it: “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” (Pro.8:13). Those who fear the Lord have a deep reverence for Him and sincere commitment to obey Him. This is Wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Pro.1:7). A wise person fears, reverences, and obeys God; fools despise His instruction and refuse to be told what to do.

The wise person actively acknowledges God in all matters of life; whereas fools try to obtain wisdom while ignoring God: “Because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Rom.1:21-22). We cannot possess wisdom if we try to recreate God in our own image or to “trim” God to fit our convenience and comfort. The wise person knows that God has absolute sovereignty over everything.

Wisdom sees all of life from God’s perspective and responding accordingly. The Fear of the Lord is a fundamental pre-condition for registering in the School of Wisdom; hence a crucial necessity for triumph in life. Joseph excelled in destiny by demonstrating the Fear of God (Gen.39:9). Ultimately, Wisdom elevated him to a Place of Dominion and Distinction in Egypt!