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605_The fear of the Lord is the foundation (Proverbs 1)

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

Prov 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.

Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.

Proverbs 14:27
“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”

Proverbs 19:23
“The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”

Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

Imagine a tall building rising above a crowded city street. Its glass façade gleams, its design looks flawless, and it appears strong and secure. Yet years later, cracks begin to appear. Engineers investigate and discover that the building was set on too shallow a foundation. The impressive structure failed to endure because its unseen foundation was neglected.

Human life is much the same before God. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that spiritual stability does not correlate with outward success, eloquent speech, or religious activity, but with the secret of the heart. Proverbs captures this truth in a single, searching sentence: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). Neither the finishing touch, nor an optional add-on, but the very foundation of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

The Book of Proverbs itself gathers together such foundational truths. It expresses practical wisdom for everyday life in pithy sayings designed to provide a basis for wise choices. Although the book opens with the words, “The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel,” Solomon is not the sole contributor. Some sections are attributed to other named authors, and many sayings come from anonymous sources, gathered and preserved over time.

Proverbs belongs to the larger body of biblical wisdom literature, alongside Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. Unique in its structure, it offers a mosaic of observations drawn from life lived under God, rather than developing long arguments or narratives.

Thus, Proverbs must be read with discernment. These sayings are not laws commanded by God, nor promises guaranteed by God. They arise from the wisdom of God manifested in the insights of wise men governed by God’s moral order. Proverbs 22:6 is a well-known example: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” This wise and hopeful precept mirrors the profound importance of God-honoring instruction in shaping a child’s life. Yet exceptions abound in scripture, reflecting the ability of children to make their own choices, for which they are responsible, as they grow into adulthood. Therefore, ungodly children of godly parents do not necessarily constitute a denial of the truth of God or reveal the failure of their parents. Proverbs teaches us how life works, but does not ensure the outcome of every situation.

The important themes of this book resurface repeatedly, none more so than the fear of the Lord. It appears at the very doorway of the book: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” It shapes the entire moral vision of Proverbs, and it stands at the close of Israel’s wisdom tradition as well. Ecclesiastes, after exploring life’s perplexities, concludes with clarity: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). From start to finish, Scripture insists that people who live wisely and well invariably begin with the fear of God.

This phrase often unsettles modern listeners. Fear evokes anxiety, threat, and punishment. How could fear fit a God who reveals himself as loving, gracious, and compassionate? If God invites us to draw near, why should we fear Him at all? The answer lies in Scripture itself, rather than in our own assumptions.

The fear of the Lord is not a cringing terror of God. It is not the paralyzing dread of condemnation. The apostle John writes, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). He is speaking of the fear of torment, the fear that comes from guilt unresolved. Such fear is relieved by the revelation of God’s immeasurable and powerful love in Christ Jesus. Yet Scripture never discards holy fear.

The fear of the Lord is never defined but is best understood by its accompanying descriptions. It is the attitude to life that springs from the acceptance of God’s greatness, holiness, wisdom, and goodness. It is what Isaiah experienced when he saw the Lord high and lifted up, and cried, “Woe is me!” (Isaiah 6:5). That fear did not push him away; it prepared him to hear God’s call and to respond in obedience. The fear of the Lord trembles at God’s word in humble and willing acceptance (Isaiah 66:2) while remaining trustful and quiet in His mercy.

Proverbs defines this fear with striking clarity: “The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil” (Proverbs 8:13). To fear God is to understand and love his sheer goodness, justice and righteousness at a level that forever casts out the love of evil from the heart. It is to live with the settled awareness that we are constantly present before Him. The psalmist asks, “Who is the man who fears the LORD?” and answers, “Him will He instruct in the way that he should choose” (Psalm 25:12). Far from leading to darkness or ignorance, the fear of the Lord opens the door to guidance and intimacy.

Proverbs repeatedly connects the fear of the Lord with how we actually live. It shapes our choices to reject self-will and self-conceit in favor of obeying God’s revealed will. “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7). The God-fearing do not rely solely on their instincts or cultural trends. Their thinking and feelings are shaped both consciously and unconsciously by the Word of God, and their single aim is to please him.

Pride and self-sufficiency cannot coexist with the fear of the Lord. Where God is revered, humility takes root. A God-fearing heart is teachable and quick to repent, knowing that godly wisdom is received, not invented.

The fear of the Lord influences our words. Ecclesiastes 5:2 reminds us, “God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.” Reverence before God produces speech that blesses others—speech that is truthful, gracious, and restrained. The fear of God shapes our relationships, reminding us that every person we encounter bears God’s image and lives under His authority.

The fear of the Lord produces integrity, willing and joyful obedience to the will of God in private as well as in public. Joseph turned down the temptation of Potiphar’s wife in Egypt, not because he was afraid of the consequences or feared for his reputation, but because he feared God: “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). The fear of the Lord ensures that we live for an audience of one – for God alone. He determines the content and form of our ordinary life—our work, our decisions, our conversations, and the hidden thoughts from which all these spring.

And God is generous in describing the blessings that flow from the fear of God. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). This wisdom is not mere intelligence but the ability to live so as to please God. Mere knowledge without the fear of the Lord is dangerous, for it puffs up the person and may cause them to lose moral restraint. In contrast, the fear of the Lord “leads to life” (Proverbs 19:23); it is “a fountain of life” (Proverbs 14:27); for the wise walk with God. It relieves our self-willed anxiety and brings the deep security of the presence of God at our right hand.

“In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge” (Proverbs 14:26). Those who fear God are freed from the tyranny of lesser fears. Reverence for God produces courage and goodness. “By the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil” (Proverbs 16:6). And “the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him” (Psalm 147:11).

The fear of the Lord begins with listening to and obeying God’s word. God looks with favor upon those who give the highest place to his word. They submit to him by turning away from evil and doing what he reveals to be good. Even when sin is socially acceptable and personally convenient, people who fear the Lord abhor it and turn away. They humbly acknowledge that they are wholly dependent on God, and hold everything they have and are as from him.

The fear of the Lord is shown, not in casual familiarity but with reverent gratitude and awe. Its outcome is earthly life that reflects a mindset on things above, where our Lord reigns, irrespective of the conditions down here below, for we know we must give account to God for all we do.

The fear of the Lord is not the enemy of joy but its guardian. It does not diminish love to God but deepens it. It does not cheapen grace but teaches us to receive grace rightly. Without it, obedience weakens, and worship becomes shallow.

The fear of God – being eager to please God because we trust and love him – allows our lives to become anchored, purposeful, and pleasing to God. This is the only foundation for eternal life, and its true and enduring beginning.