A Few Thoughts on Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1:7 NKJV The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

There are 4 things I would like to speak about this evening: Fear, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Discipline.

Fear

B1 The Hebrew word is יִרְאָה yir'ah. It means

C1 Fear and terror as in Jonah 1:10 GW Then the men were terrified. They knew that he was running away from the LORD, because he had told them. They asked Jonah, "Why have you done this?"

C2 Reverential fear as in speaking of Messiah Isaiah 11:2 MEV The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

B2 We who have reverential fear must remember who the Boss is. We all have to give an account to Him one day. 2 Corinthians 5:10 GW All of us must appear in front of Christ's judgment seat. Then all people will receive what they deserve for the good or evil they have done while living in their bodies.

Knowledge

B1 The Hebrew word is דַּעַת daʻath. It means

C1 Knowledge, knowing as in

D2 Hosea 4:6 MEV My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from being My priest. And because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

D2 1 Kings 7:14 NIV Whose mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali and whose father was from Tyre and a skilled craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work. He came to King Solomon and did all the work assigned to him.

D3 Knowing something as facts, skills, and daily life as a journeyman plumber, surgeon, lawyer, etc.

C2 Knowledge of how to act wisely in society and in situations as Proverbs 17:27 YLT One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper is a man of understanding. The NET versions has the sense, the meaning of the passage: Proverbs 17:27 NET The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning.

C3 As Christians, we know that our God is omniscience—all knowing.

B2 The fear of the Lord is the first step. It is the foundation of this wisdom and knowledge. God’s ways are always best—best for individuals, families, businesses, governments, societies, churches, just everything!

Wisdom

B1 The Hebrew word is חׇכְמָה chokmâh. It means

C1 Skill as in Exodus 31:2-5 WEB “Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: (3) and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship, (4) to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, (5) and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of workmanship.

C2 We understand that wisdom is not only the highest intelligence possible (as in IQ) but also in common sense. God is omnisapient—all wise. Example: Jeremiah 10:12 NKJV He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.

Discipline

B1 The Hebrew word is מוּסָר mûwçâr. It means

C1 Correction as an experienced and skilled worker, “You can do that project easier if you…”

D1 It can be physical correction as choices have consequences: Proverbs 22:15 NIV Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

D2 It can involve punishment for crimes: Isaiah 53:5 GNB But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received.

C2 Instruction, warning, giving knowing, and coaching. Proverbs 10:17 GNB People who listen when they are corrected will live, but those who will not admit that they are wrong are in danger.

B2 Despising (H936) means feeling contempt for and detesting something. Destesting wisdom and instruction leads to wrong life attitudes and choices that corrupts and causes misery to society.

We learn

1. Decisions have consequences. Galatians 6:7 NKJV Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
2. Right decisions lead to a good society, family life, married life, church life, etc.
3. Wrong decisions lead to a corrupt society, crime, discord, dysfunctional families, etc.
4. God teaches the right way Matthew 6:33 NIV But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Things as Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law).
5. God is the source, THE educator for our wisdom and learning, so we need to read and study His word the Bible.

Questions to ask ourselves:

1. Why is God’s way best?
2. How can we learn God’s ways?
3. How can I apply God’s ways?
4. How do we help each other, encouraging one another, and teach each other God’s ways?
5. Are we doing God’s ways in public and private?
6. Ask yourself, as I must ask myself, “Am I doing God’s ways in my thoughts, desires, words and deeds?

Luke 6:40 NIV The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

John 13:13 NIV "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.

John 14:23-24 NIV Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.