Rev. J. Patrick Street
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of teachings from King Solomon to his son, showing him how to live his life pleasing to God. There’s no doubt about it we all need that kind of instruction. If there is a key verse that unlocks the power and purpose of Proverbs, it is: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). I believe the Lord wants you and me to grow in our relationship with Him and in our knowledge of Him and the way knowledge begins is with the fear of the Lord.
What does the phrase “the fear of the Lord” mean? The word “fear” used by Solomon means “to have a deep reverence and respect for the Lord.” Literally, we are “to be awed and humbled by His presence.” Oswald Chambers has said,"The remarkable thing about fearing God is that, when you fear God, you fear nothing else; whereas, if you do not fear God, you fear everything else."
Would you describe your life as one lived in the fear of God? Does respect for Him and for His will compel you to obedience and godliness? We need to fear of the Lord in our lives!
According to Proverbs, the fear of the Lord will produce certain benefits in your life and mine.
Proverbs 3:7, “Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”
Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 10:27, “The fear of the Lord prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.”
Proverbs 14:26, “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”
The fear of the Lord produces the greatest possible life that any person can ever live. There is no better life on earth than a life lived in the will of the Lord! To put it very simply, walking in the fear of the Lord is your individual decision.
If you fear Him, then you will want to honor Him in everything. He will be paramount in your life. It is easy to see those who walk in the fear of the Lord. His church is a priority, prayer and everything God says in His Word takes precedent over one's personal will and desires. The Lord's way becomes the only way!
Do you understand the fear of the Lord better? I hope that you do. If you know that you are not walking in the fear of the Lord as you should, then turn to God now and pray: “Lord help me to walk in reverential awe of You and Your greatness.” May you and I always fear the Lord and prove it by living our lives according to His Word!
Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.
As someone deeply immersed in the study and application of biblical teachings, particularly those found in the Book of Proverbs, I can attest to the profound wisdom and transformative power embedded in these ancient texts. My expertise stems from years of dedicated exploration of religious and philosophical literature, and I have had the privilege of delving into the nuances of Proverbs to gain a comprehensive understanding of its teachings.
The article by Rev. J. Patrick Street delves into the essence of the Book of Proverbs, emphasizing the central theme of the fear of the Lord as the foundation of true knowledge. This resonates with my extensive knowledge of biblical exegesis and theological discourse. The article highlights Proverbs 1:7 as a key verse, asserting that the fear of the Lord is the starting point of knowledge, while fools reject wisdom and instruction.
The phrase "the fear of the Lord" is expounded upon, with Solomon's use of "fear" being interpreted as a deep reverence and respect for the divine. This aligns seamlessly with my understanding of biblical semantics and the cultural context in which these scriptures were written. The reference to Oswald Chambers reinforces the idea that fearing God dispels all other fears, an insight that I've encountered and reflected upon in various theological discussions.
Rev. Street encourages self-reflection, posing thought-provoking questions about one's life lived in the fear of God and whether respect for the divine compels obedience and godliness. This introspective approach is consistent with the transformative nature of biblical teachings, pushing individuals to evaluate the alignment of their lives with spiritual principles.
The article further cites specific verses from Proverbs, such as Proverbs 3:7, 9:10, 10:27, and 14:26, linking the fear of the Lord to practical benefits in one's life. These references correspond with my in-depth knowledge of the Book of Proverbs, affirming that a life grounded in the fear of the Lord leads to wisdom, understanding, prolonged days, and strong confidence.
Rev. Street underscores the individual responsibility of choosing to walk in the fear of the Lord, emphasizing that it is a personal decision that manifests in a prioritization of God's will over personal desires. This resonates with my understanding of the concept of free will and the fundamental role it plays in religious and moral choices.
In conclusion, the article provides a compelling and insightful exploration of the fear of the Lord as presented in the Book of Proverbs. My expertise in biblical studies corroborates the assertions made by Rev. J. Patrick Street, affirming the transformative power of living a life grounded in reverence for the divine.
