The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 16:16 says, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” So, how does one obtain wisdom? Proverbs gives us a multitude of practical ways to be wise. In fact, it is one of three books of the Bible, along with Job and Ecclesiastes, that are categorized as “wisdom” books. Together, these books give us insight into God’s wisdom. Here are three short but very informative videos from the Bible Project on the wisdom books: Watch: Wisdom Book Collection Video Series

First, Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This idea is restated and expanded on in Proverbs 9:10, which says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” To gain wisdom, we should learn to fear the Lord. You may recall the Hebrew word for wisdom is “chokma,” which indicates developing a skill such as a skilled artisan. Fearing the Lord requires action, thought and intentionality on our part. How do we practice “fearing the Lord?” 

“The fear of the Lord” feels confusing or counterintuitive because I think of being afraid or scared, yet Proverbs tells us the Lord is a strong tower, a place where the righteous are safe. So the fear of the Lord is not primarily identified with being afraid. The Hebrew word for fear used in both Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10 connotes respect, obedience, awe, submitting to God’s discipline, and worshiping Him in awe, just to name a few. It involves a realization of and submission to God’s attributes–His love, His holiness, His justice, His intolerance for sin. As my friend, Cassie, illustrated the fear of the Lord to me in a recent conversation, it is like looking up at an expansive waterfall–we admire and are awestruck by its incredible beauty, while recognizing its mighty power. The fear of the Lord means forgetting ourselves so that we see who He truly is. When we fear the Lord,  we are quick to turn from our sin and bow in submission, obedience, and worship to Him.

Second, the New Testament book of James also helps us know how to gain the wisdom that Proverbs talks about.  James 1:5  says,  “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Matthew 7:11 assures us that God gives good gifts to His children: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Pray and ask the Author and Giver of wisdom for it.

Third, get wisdom by knowing God through His Word. What does He embody and value? Keep His word always in your consciousness. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Listen to songs that come straight from Scripture; keep a journal; use post-it notes. Proverbs 7:1-3 exhorts us, “ My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Store up His commands and treasure them. How often we amass and value other things!

Last, seek out and keep company with wise people. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” James 3:13 tells us how to identify the wise–they listen to and obey God’s commands with meekness. Learn from other wise people and ask them to join you in prayer.

Left to our own wisdom, we will go down the path of destruction. Wisdom is not an ideal or a collection of tips to be pursued–otherwise it leads to idolatry. It comes from God. We cannot create it within ourselves no matter our good intentions or how hard we try. 

Wisdom is a person to put our trust in–Jesus Christ. It leads to a real relationship with and worship of the living God. Proverbs 8: 35-36 says, "Whoever finds Me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord."

-Martha Spencer