Proverbs 1:7 - Fear of the Lord is...

The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of knowledge:
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prov 1:7 (KJV)

FEAR OF THE LORD; A loving reverence for God that includes
submission to his lordship and to the commands of his word. [NIV SB]

FEAR OF THE LORD; A reverence for God expressed in submission to
His will.  Wisdom is not acquired by a mechanical formula but
through a right relationship with God.  [Ryrie SB]

This verse calls the fear of the Lord "the beginning of
knowledge." One rabbinic commentary on Proverbs reminds us that fear here is
not dread, but "reverence of God expressed in submission to His
will." This is in fact the basic sense of "fear of the Lord" throughout
the O.T., where it might often be rendered "reverential awe" or even
"faith." The commentary rightly observes, "God is the Creator of the
universe and of life; it is consequently impossible to obtain an
understanding of man's place in the design and purpose of living without a
humble approach to Him." [Victor Bible Reader's Companion]

In this motto one finds the overall theme of the book. "Wisdom"
begins with a relationship to the Creator God, i.e., a "fear" or
submissive reverence to Yahweh. Man fell prey to Satan and separated
himself from God when he sought the "pride of life" (Gen. 3:6; cf. 1
John 2:16) and by his very act of disobedience flouted the first
principle for attaining wisdom, i.e., fear of God. The "fool" in Proverbs
is not one lacking in intelligence, but rather one who is obstinate
(13:16; 17:10), stubborn (v. 7; 17:28; 20:3; 22:15), even boorish
(naval, Heb.; cf. Prov. 17:7; 1 Sam. 25:17). The root of the fool's
foolishness is not mental but spiritual. He begins by rejecting "the fear of
the Lord" (v. 29) and determining to go his own way (v. 31), closing
his mind to God. [Believer's SB]

The simply stated, yet profoundly deep truth of this passage,
cries out to us to pay attention to what God says and to implement His
instruction in our lives.  Do you want the abundant life that Jesus provides
for His children?  Are you willing to invest some time to discover
how humility and reverence for God bring you into abundant life?
The world says we need to have good "self-esteem" in order to be
happy in this life; that we should acknowledge our own goodness and
the inherent goodness in others.  God's Word says the opposite:
don't do anything out of selfish motives, and consider others to be
better than you are! What does this passage mean to you?  Do you have
the abundant life you desire?  Look up verses in your Bible that
speak of humility and see how you measure up. Ponder the reverence
(holy fear) you have for the Lord. If you feel the need to start over,
begin today by studying this verse until the Lord brings revival to
your heart!  [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]

The fear of the Lord not only is the first step in the
acquirement of all true knowledge but is also the central emphasis of
knowledge. If knowledge does not lead to a surrender of life to Jesus
Christ, it has missed its aim. "Call no man brilliant who has not the
wisdom to choose the Lord Jesus Christ-the light and life of the world.
The excellence of a man is determined by his possession of the
virtues of Christ" [SDA Commentary]

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Proverbs
1:7. One sentence of Scripture is of more value than ten thousand of
man's ideas or arguments. Those who refuse to follow God's way will
finally receive the sentence, "Depart from Me." But when we submit to
God's way, the Lord Jesus guides our minds and fills our lips with
assurance. We may be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Receiving Christ, we are clothed with power. An indwelling Saviour makes
His power our property. The truth becomes our stock in trade. No
unrighteousness is seen in the life. We are able to speak words in season to
those who know not the truth. Christ's presence in the heart is a
vitalizing power, strengthening the entire being.  7T71