October 2, 2017
Central Truth
True reverence and awe for God is the foundation of wisdom.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
(Proverbs 9:10)
1
Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2
She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3
She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
4
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks sense she says,
5
“Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6
Leave your simple ways,
1
9:6
Or Leave the company of the simple
and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
7
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9
Give instruction
2
9:9
Hebrew lacks instruction
to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
13
The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive
3
9:13
Or full of simpleness
and knows nothing.
14
She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15
calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
16
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
17
“Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18
But he does not know that the dead
4
9:18
Hebrew Rephaim
are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Proverbs 9:10a is arguably the best known biblical proverb. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Sounds like something we all want, right? But what does “the fear of the LORD” mean?
Non-Christians fear the Lord because of the judgment due them on the basis of their sin. “[I]t is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27, emphasis added)
It’s different for Christians. Jesus said, “[W]hoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24, emphasis added) As believers in Christ, we do not fear judgment, because that judgment has already been received by Jesus on our behalf. So why should Christians fear God?
Mr. and Mrs. Beaver from C.S. Lewis’ allegory, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, offer an explanation:
Mr. Beaver: Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion—the lion, the great Lion.
Susan: Ooh! I’d thought he was a man. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.
Mrs. Beaver: That you will, dearie, and no mistake. If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.
Lucy: Then he isn’t safe?
Mr. Beaver: Safe? Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King.
Dr. Tom Constable observes: “Fearing God means taking God into account, being aware of His reality and presence, and making decisions in view of His existence and revelation. . . . [It] does not mean a dread that results in hiding from God. It is rather an emotional recognition of God. That is the kind of fear that produces holy character and righteous conduct.”
Do you want to be wise? The next time you are tempted to sin, remember it is the King of Kings who is right there with you.
“[L]et us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28b-29)
1. Would you be nervous to step into a cage with even a tame lion?
2. Is there any habit or activity that, if Jesus were standing next to you, you wouldn’t follow through with?
3. In Luke 12:5 Jesus said, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” Have you trusted in the sacrificial death of Christ, His burial, and His resurrection in order to be saved from the coming judgment? If not, let me know in the comments below. I would be happy to talk with you.