Meditations From Proverbs, Part 17

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." -Proverbs 9:10

This verse is often quoted, but have you ever considered why this is true? Why is fearing God the beginning of wisdom? Why not prayer or Bible study? Fear seems to be a strange starting point to gain wisdom. To fear God (reverence and awe) is to recognize His supreme authority in every area of life. Our moral conduct, when governed by our respect for His sovereign rule and omniscience, is the beginning of true wisdom. For we are now aware of His attendant gaze upon our lives, and His desire for us to obey and reap the fruits of adherence to His commandments. "which are not grievous" (I John 5:3).

Our fallen nature always thinks it knows best but is always counter to the will of God. To follow God's will, out of a respectful fear of Him, leads to life and peace. To not fear God is to go the way that naturally seems right but the results are always wrong, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" Proverbs 14:12. That's the way I see things.