The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7, Modern English Version (MEV)
The fear of the Lord. What exactly is this? Well, as they say, it's complicated. It is a compound thought of three ideas that can be used separately or, as is most likely meant here, wrapped up together. First, it means dread or terror. Second, it means to stand in awe. Third, it means to revere or to respect. The basic thought then is that we need to have a right understanding of God, and our position before Him, before we can even hope to understand the wisdom found in Proverbs.
The word 'beginning' is also a multi-functional word meaning the first step in a course of action or the chief thing or principal aspect. Putting them together we understand that the fear of the Lord is the first step in acquiring moral knowledge and, at the same time, is the most important aspect of moral knowledge.
When speaking of moral knowledge we need to be clear that we aren't speaking of just head knowledge or, as some would put it, book knowledge. We are talking about experiential knowledge or the knowledge gained by, and from, experience. A large part of Proverbs is simply good, common sense.
Another thing about Proverbs we need to have a clear understanding of is what is meant when someone is referred to as a 'fool'. A fool is someone who lacks good sense or judgment, particularly when it comes to moral sense or judgment. In fact, as this verse points out, fools not only lack good moral sense or judgment, they despise it, they treat it with contempt, they deem it worthless. In other words, they actively work hard at being fools.
Proverbs 1:7, Modern English Version (MEV)
The fear of the Lord. What exactly is this? Well, as they say, it's complicated. It is a compound thought of three ideas that can be used separately or, as is most likely meant here, wrapped up together. First, it means dread or terror. Second, it means to stand in awe. Third, it means to revere or to respect. The basic thought then is that we need to have a right understanding of God, and our position before Him, before we can even hope to understand the wisdom found in Proverbs.
The word 'beginning' is also a multi-functional word meaning the first step in a course of action or the chief thing or principal aspect. Putting them together we understand that the fear of the Lord is the first step in acquiring moral knowledge and, at the same time, is the most important aspect of moral knowledge.
When speaking of moral knowledge we need to be clear that we aren't speaking of just head knowledge or, as some would put it, book knowledge. We are talking about experiential knowledge or the knowledge gained by, and from, experience. A large part of Proverbs is simply good, common sense.
Another thing about Proverbs we need to have a clear understanding of is what is meant when someone is referred to as a 'fool'. A fool is someone who lacks good sense or judgment, particularly when it comes to moral sense or judgment. In fact, as this verse points out, fools not only lack good moral sense or judgment, they despise it, they treat it with contempt, they deem it worthless. In other words, they actively work hard at being fools.
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