What other scriptures emphasize the importance of fearing the LORD for wisdom? Proverbs 1:7—Our Launch Point “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7) Immediate Echoes in Proverbs • Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” • Proverbs 15:33 — “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility precedes honor.” • Proverbs 2:5-6 — “Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” • Proverbs 19:23 — “The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.” Wisdom Hymns in Job and the Psalms • Job 28:28 — “And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.’” • Psalm 111:10 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!” • Psalm 34:11-14 — “Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit; turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Torah Foundations • Deuteronomy 4:6 — “Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations.” (The statutes given so Israel might fear the LORD, v.10.) • Deuteronomy 10:12-13 — “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD… for your own good?” Prophetic Perspective • Isaiah 33:6 — “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.” • Malachi 3:16 — “Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard.” (Their fear produced a “scroll of remembrance,” a testament to wise reverence.) New Testament Confirmation • Luke 1:50 — “His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.” • Acts 9:31 — “So the church… was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” • 2 Corinthians 7:1 — “Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” • Hebrews 12:28 — “Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” • Revelation 14:7 — “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come.” Putting the Pieces Together • Fear of the LORD is repeatedly tied to wisdom, knowledge, and understanding—from the Law (Deuteronomy) through the Writings (Job, Psalms, Proverbs) into the Prophets and right into the New Testament church. • Scripture presents this fear not as terror that drives us away but as reverent awe that draws us close, teaches us, and shapes our decisions. • Obedience, humility, and moral purity are practical outworkings of this fear, and they are consistently linked with God-given insight. • The through-line is clear: if we want wisdom that endures, Scripture urges us to start—and stay—with wholehearted reverence for the LORD. |
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