{"id":497,"date":"2021-05-10T15:14:36","date_gmt":"2021-05-10T15:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/covenantmoravian.com\/index.php\/watchword-reflections\/monday-reflection-may-10-2021-the-fear-of-the-lord-the-fear-of-the-lord-is-the-beginning-of-knowledge-proverbs-17a\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T13:59:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T13:59:17","slug":"monday-reflection-may-10-2021-the-fear-of-the-lord-the-fear-of-the-lord-is-the-beginning-of-knowledge-proverbs-17a","status":"publish","type":"watchword","link":"https:\/\/covenantmoravian.com\/index.php\/watchword-reflections\/monday-reflection-may-10-2021-the-fear-of-the-lord-the-fear-of-the-lord-is-the-beginning-of-knowledge-proverbs-17a\/","title":{"rendered":"Monday Reflection \u2013 May 10, 2021 The Fear of the Lord The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7a"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Monday Reflection \u2013 May 10, 2021<\/strong>The Fear of the Lord<\/strong>
<\/em><\/strong>The fear of the Lord\u00a0is the beginning of knowledge.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Proverbs 1:7a<\/em><\/strong>
The book of Proverbs is considered a collection of practical life wisdom given mostly in short, memorable statements. It is concerned with practical life wisdom more than ideas about God and His work of salvation. As Solomon launches out in this first chapter, he establishes the\u00a0foundation of all wisdom\u00a0in today\u2019s Watchword\u00a0\u2013 the fear of the Lord. His vital theological principle is that true\u00a0knowledge\u00a0and wisdom flow from\u00a0the fear of the Lord. This\u00a0fear of the Lord\u00a0is not a cowering, begging fear, suggesting being afraid of God.
So, what is\u00a0the fear of the Lord? It is the right reverence that the creature owes to the Creator. It is the proper respect and honouring of God. Bridges says that it is that affectionate reverence by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father\u2019s law. For Kidner, it is a worshipping submission to the God of the covenant. Ross submits that the fear of the Lord expresses reverential submission to the Lord\u2019s will and therefore characterizes a true worshiper.
God should be regarded with respect, reverence, and awe. This attitude of the creature toward the Creator is\u00a0the beginning of knowledge\u00a0and wisdom. Wisdom cannot advance further until this starting point is established.\u00a0The fear of the Lord suggests the pursuit of a right relationship with God, and this is critical to gaining knowledge and wisdom. Waltke beautifully and correctly says that, \u201cWhat the alphabet is to reading, notes to reading music, and numerals to mathematics, the fear of the Lord is to attaining the revealed knowledge of this book (God\u2019s word).\u201d When Solomon speaks of beginning, it is not about stage one, instead it is the first and controlling principle.
This principle of the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom runs throughout scripture. This includes: Job 28:28 \u2013\u00a0\u201cTruly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;\u00a0and to depart from evil is understanding.\u201d David says in Psalm111:10, \u201cThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;\u00a0all those who practice it\u00a0have a good understanding.\u00a0And as Solomon concludes his thoughts in Ecclesiastes 12:13, he says,\u00a0\u201cThe end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.\u201d
I agree with Morgan who asserts that, \u201cThe fundamental fact, then, is that in all knowledge, all understanding of life, all interpretation thereof, the fear of God is the principal thing, the chief part, the central light, apart from which the mind of man gropes in darkness, and misses the way.\u201d
As we embark on this special month of May, recognized as Child\u2019s Month, and where we also celebrate Education Week, Teachers\u2019 Day and Mothers\u2019 Day, may we develop the disposition of the fear of the Lord, demonstrate it in our daily lives, and inculcate it in our children. Only then is true knowledge and wisdom ours.\u00a0\u00a0
Jermaine\u00a0Gibson\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Monday Reflection \u2013 May 10, 2021 The Fear of the Lord The fear of the Lord\u00a0is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7a The book of Proverbs is considered a collection of practical life wisdom given mostly in short, memorable\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","watchword_topic":[13],"class_list":["post-497","watchword","type-watchword","status-publish","hentry","watchword_topic-christian-living"],"yoast_head":"\nMonday Reflection \u2013 May 10, 2021 The Fear of the Lord The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 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