Sometimes fear should control us!

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

This is one of my favorite Proverbs, and I memorized it in the NASB. The NLT has an interesting and very good translation:

Probing Proverbs: (NLT 1:7) Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

The original root word for “beginning” and “foundation” means “head.” From there every derivative of this word carries a headship, chief, best, first fruit idea. That really is what the words “beginning” and “foundation” mean is it not? When we begin something, the way we begin it sets the entire pace. When we lay a foundation, how it is laid determines the solidity of the structure or plan that we end up with.

So we should take the time to consider what word this Scripture chooses to describe the foundation of knowledge. Notice, it is not academia, or life lessons, it is not even the word faith! Fear…is the word God chose to encourage us to lay as our foundation to gain real knowledge.

So many have tried to sanitize it by stating that this means, “reverence,” which it does, but not only reverence. In our desire to express to individuals that our God is a safe place, we do a disservice to Him and to ourselves. We can never compartmentalize God into only certain attributes. God is God and He possesses all the grace, mercy and love that anyone would find safe, however, He is also holy, righteous, perfect and the final authority in the universe! That is plenty of reason for those of us that understand our own sinful nature to shake in our boots at meeting God face to face! This fear encompasses all that fear is. 

We must revere the Lord, but also be in awe of Him and terrified of His wrath! That is the fear a mere mortal feels when they really see Him as God! As Creator God He has not only “shown” the way to His safe arms, He has provided the way, fully paid for and offered as a gift. The fear we must have considering we are fallen beings standing in front of the holy God should bring us to our senses and motivate us to take advantage of the relationship He is offering to us. As our loving Father, though we are secure from His wrath due to the blood of Jesus Christ, we continue to live in a fallen world. God will not insulate us from all the troubles of this life, but is willing to protect us and guide us through. He also will lovingly chastise us if we decide to experience sin for ourselves. This I know far to well first hand. It has always been painful, but I have always felt His love as He was trying to warn me to the danger of sin. Fear is the foundation because when we know Who He is and who we are, we will live close to Him, revering Him, being in awe of Him, and glad to be safe from His wrath.

“The so what?”

Are you sure you have accepted the forgiveness He offers so you are safe from His wrath? When was the last time you were chastised by the Lord? How did you handle it? Did you doubt His love? Is there an area of “fear” that you need to look at again, since it is the foundation for our knowledge of Him?