The Fear of The Lord, The Beginning of Wisdom

In a world bombarded by inane cliches, trivial catchwords, and godless sound bites, the expression of true wisdom is in short supply today. The church stands alone as the receptacle and repository of the inspired traditions that carry a mandate for a holy life from ancient sages, the greatest of whom was Solomon, and from the greater than Solomon, Jesus Christ. As the course and bulk of biblical wisdom, the book of Proverbs remains the model of curriculum for humanity to learn how to live under God and before humankind.

As a result, it beckons the church to diligent study and application. To uncommitted youth, it serves as a stumbling stone, and to committed youth a foundation stone. Of its 930 ancient sayings, many Christians know three—to fear the Lord(1:7), to trust him(3:5–6), and to “train their children in the way they should go” (22:6)—and possibly something about the “virtuous wife” (31:10–31). However, “to fear the Lord” is misunderstood, “to trust him” (3:5) is a platitude divorced from the book, the promise that the child will not depart from childhood rearing raises more questions than solutions, and the poem about the virtuous wife seems out of date.
-Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs

How do we get wisdom?

1. Recognize that God is the source of wisdom.
2. Make the deliberate choice to pursue wisdom.
3. Learn and employ the process of discerning, perceiving, learning, and applying skills.

Knowledge + understanding (when applied) = wisdom.

A wise life is a blessing, brings joy, protects, and is always beneficial.

We have three sources of wisdom:

1. God’s Word
2 God’s Spirit
3. God’s people.

As we stay close to all three, we will do well.

Ask God to give you His wisdom to change.

Referenced:

1 Kings 7:14, Proverbs 1:1-6, 2 Samuel 20:22, 1 Kings 3:28, Genesis 3:6, Proverbs 18:2, Proverbs 23:9, Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 17:10, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 1:5