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
