Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

Yesterday, we discussed the Greek word oikodomeo. In Acts 9:31, this word was translated as edified. Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had rest and were edified. (Acts 9:31) The actual Greek meaning for this word is to build or construct a house which causes us to have a greater understanding of this Verse. In short, the Church was now at Peace (rest) and was able to grow.

 

The last part of this Verse indicates that the people were now operating in the proper fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Because of this, they grew in number. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

 

To have a complete understanding of this Verse, we must look at the Greek word for fear which is phobos. It does not mean being afraid or terrified. One theologian defined it as follows: a reverential fear of God, as a controlling motive of the life, in matters spiritual and moral, not a mere fear of His Power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him, of fear which banishes the terror that shrinks from His Presence, and which influences the disposition and attitude of one whose circumstances are guided by trust in God through the indwelling Spirit of God.

 

Solomon (the wisest man to ever live) wrote, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) When Solomon wrote the Proverbs, Jesus had not yet come but Solomon still understood that people should love and respect God so much that they want to live their lives pleasing to Him and anyone who despised the wisdom and instruction of God was a fool.

 

As New Testament believers, we know that Jesus gave His very Life for us because He loves us so much. As John said, We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) He has done so much for us, how can we not want to please Him in everything we say and do? This fear of the Lord (phobos) is an attitude of respect, reverence, and fear that should guide everything about us. It comes to us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Who takes up residence in us at the moment of Salvation and will change everything about us if we allow Him to do His Work inside us. If we don’t, as Solomon said, we are fools.

 

 

The fear of the Lord will……….turn the tide………..in this world.

 

I love Him because He first loved me.         Doreen

 

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