“……Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:28-33 (KJB)
fear of the LORD
Understand The Fear Of The LORD
“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5 (KJB)
Those Who Fear The LORD Are Blessed
“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in His ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.” Psalm 128:1-6 (KJB)
Humility, The Fear Of The LORD
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” Proverbs 22:3-4 (KJB)
Fear Of The LORD
Wisdom says,
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Proverbs 8:13 (KJB)
Wisdom Giving Instruction
“He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.” Proverbs 9:7-11 (KJB)
When You Will Understand The Fear of The LORD, and Find Knowledge
“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5 (KJB)
The Fear of the LORD
The Fear of the LORD – Proverbs 9:10
Within the Wisdom/Poetry Literature of Scripture the phrase “Fear of the LORD” is mentioned 18 times. Fourteen of those are in Proverbs. The remaining four are in Job and Psalms.
“And unto man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28 (KJV)
“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” Psalm 19:9
“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” Psalm 34:11
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10
Then, we will look at the verses in Proverbs,
1:7, 29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26, 27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17
You will notice that the verse in Job 28:28 uses the word “Lord”, and it is speaking of God, but with a different name – Adonay.
When we look at the previous verses in Proverbs we read, “The fear of the LORD…” “…is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7); People who hate knowledge… “did not choose the fear of the LORD” (1:29). We see also, “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” (2:5). In chapter 8 verse 13 we read, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil…”.
In our verse today we read, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” (9:10). In chapter 10 verse 27 the writer says, “The fear of the LORD prolongeth days…”
In the entire Bible the term “fear of the LORD” is used only thirty times, from 1 Samuel 11:7 through Acts 9:31.
Is the fear of the LORD relevant to society of our day? Most certainly, and probably never more needed than it is today.
Where does the fear of the LORD begin? Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom comes from the fear of the LORD. Hearing Him, believing what He says, through His Son Jesus, and doing His Word.
Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He has sent.” (John 6:29) Upon receiving the grace of God you receive the fullness of God in His knowledge, understanding and wisdom. That will be the “fear of the LORD” in you.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Understanding and Wisdom
A study through Proverbs.
THE MAN OF UNDERSTANDING
Contents of Wisdom – Proverbs 1:1-19
FIVE QUESTIONS by Warren Wiersbe –
1. What is the major theme of the Book of Proverbs?
2. Who wrote the Book of Proverbs and how is it written?
3. What is the key verse that helps “unlock” the book? [1:7]
4. What does Proverbs say about Jesus Christ? [Colossians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30
5. What must we do to get the most out of the book?
From BE SKILLFUL BY Warren W. Wiersbe
“Proverbs are pithy statements that summarize in a few choice words practical truths relating to some aspect of everyday life.” Wiersbe
“As you study, keep in mind that Hebrew proverbs are generalized statements of what is usually true in life, and they must not be treated like promises.” Wiersbe
Verse 1 – This verse tells us that these are “Proverbs of Solomon”, however, as we proceed through these words of wisdom we will see that he is not the author of all the Proverbs, but he is probably responsible for compiling them into a book. There are also some of the proverbs which were copied by Hezekiah’s men (25:1), and then there are those called “the wise” (22:17; 24:23), a man named Agur (30:1-33), and Lemuel (31:1-9), and then who wrote 31:10-31 “The Virtuous Woman”?
It is quite clear that with the exception of those mentioned Solomon is responsible for these proverbs.
Verses 2 – 6 – The purpose of the Proverbs is explained by these verses. “To know wisdom”, and I would add here that he is speaking of godly wisdom, not earthly wisdom as James contrast the two (James 3:13-18).
One thing that comes out in Proverbs is that those who have wisdom will listen to others; especially those in authority; such as parents.
For understanding the Proverbs one needs the Spirit of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:12-16; Romans 8:9).
Verses 7 -9 – Having a reverence for God is a theme of Proverbs. “The fear of the LORD…” is not being afraid of making a bad choice.
The MacArthur Study Bible notes verse 7 in part –
“The fear of the LORD is a state of mind in which one’s own attitudes, will, feelings, deeds, and goals are exchanged for God’s (cf. Ps. 42:1)”
Instruction is important for learning; there are some who refuse instruction in wisdom. You can be sure they are not wise.
Verses 10 – 19 – Advice is given by wise parents to a learning son. Shun evil. These not so wise people will make evil sound so pleasant, and even apear pleasant, and enjoyable it could be a lure to do the evil, rather than the right and good.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding
I long to be a wise individual, a man of wisdom. I want my wife to be a woman of wisdom, and my children to be sons and daughters of wisdom. The wisdom I speak of of course is godly wisdom. I have enough of the world’s wisdom in my head which is devilish.
As we have previously seen “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”, and we begin fearing the LORD, by believing what He says, and putting it to work. That starts with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you believe? To not believe in the life, ministry and the works of Jesus Christ, Christ Himself is to condemn yourself to a live of foolishness.
Hear what the writer of Proverbs says…
“He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.” Proverbs 9:7-12
Now I leave you with the writing of a man from the past. Warnings of Wisdom to the Wise. (Matthew 7:6). John Gill writes of verse 7;
“He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame,…. Intimating, that though the simple, and such as want understanding, and of whom there is hope of doing them good, are to be invited into Wisdom’s house; yet not the haughty scorner, the abandoned sinner, the scoffer at all religion, who walks after his own lusts, and is quite irreclaimable; it is but casting pearls before swine, and giving that which is holy to dogs, to reprove and exhort such persons; though the Gospel is to be preached to every creature, yet when men despise it, and make a mock at it, they are to be turned from, and no more is to be said to them; as the Jews of old, they were the first invited to the Gospel feast, the same that is described in the context; they made light of it, contradicted and blasphemed the word, and so judged themselves unworthy of it; wherefore Wisdom’s maidens, or Christ’s ministers, were bid to turn from them, and go to the Gentiles, and preach it to them; for it is to no purpose to address such persons; “shame” is the sure consequence of it, because a man is disappointed of the end he has in view, which is doing good;
and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot; this shows who is meant by a scorner, a very profligate man, bent on his wicked ways, and quite incorrigible; to rebuke such an one is not only labour lost, and in vain, but the rebuker getteth himself an ill name, and is sure to have the dirt of reproach and scandal cast upon him; though this a man might patiently bear, if there was any hope of doing good.”
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.
Christmas Day 250
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to always hear the Word of God over the words of presidents, kings, premieres, despots, tyrants, or any ruler of men; television news anchor, news show, or so called news paper; and over the so called science of men.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11 (KJV)
“What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That Thou mightest be justified in Thy sayings, and mightest overcome when Thou art judged.” Romans 3:1-4
Christmas Day Two Hundred Fifty and Seven
What do I want for Christmas?
I want children, and youth who are students in public, private, and home schools to realize the greatest thing to know and learn is about God, His Word – the Holy Bible, and to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God through His Son Jesus Christ.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4
Judging Righteous Judgment
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; and shall make Him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears: but with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked.” Isaiah 11:1-4 (KJV)
There is a judgment coming on the earth, and upon the people of the earth. No age, neither male nor female, no race, will be exempt from the judgment that is coming.
The judgment received by judges of today can be, and often are unjust, missed, or just plumb wrong. Judges of men are sometimes bribed, or color their judgment to fit their beliefs; or even the perspective they have of the person being judged.
It is great, and wonderful to know that the Judge that is coming to judge us is a Just Judge, and will judge us in righteousness. However, we must know that we are all guilty before Him unless we have been covered by His own blood.
You see, Jesus Christ will be that coming Judge. He died for you and me on the cross. He was buried – carrying away all our sin, shame, guilt, condemnation and death. He also was raised bodily from the grave; and will one day – we pray soon – come again and gather His people unto Himself.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, His finished work on the cross, burial and resurrection, and you will have no need to fear His judgment. He has pronounced all who believe in Him to be Righteous and Just.
Jesus is the Branch. He will slay the wicked.