Verse of the Day 3/23

 

Proverbs 1:7  The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and discipline.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Today's verse comes from the first passage in the book of Proverbs which lays out the groundwork for the book, for "learning what wisdom and discipline are" (v.1 HCSB).  We've been considering, thinking about discipleship for some time now, and it is not too hard to see that the word discipleship is rooted in discipline.  It all starts with a "fear" of the Lord, this involves reverence, respect, honor, trust and other attitudes in our hearts for Him..

 

Looking back over these first seven verses of Proverbs we can see a progression.  Wisdom involves a willingness to be taught about God, which will lead to learning more of Him, which will lead to fearing/respecting Him.  We will come to know Him better day by day and we will begin to imitate Him as we apply what we learn in our day to day actions.

 

John MacArthur writes that "the fear of the Lord is a state of mind in which one's own attitudes, will, feelings, deeds, and goals are exchanged for God's."  This fear, this reverence and awe are the "starting point and essence" (AMP) of knowing Him of being a God follower.  "Fools" will despise it, may ridicule us for believing it, but this exchange is what motivates and drives us and brings us hope and peace.

^"The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline."   Proverbs 1:7  Amplified Bible (AMP)

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Proverbs 1:1-7

The Message (MSG)

Wise Sayings of Solomon

A Manual for Living

1 ^1-6 These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
    David's son, Israel's king—
Written down so we'll know how to live well and right,
    to understand what life means and where it's going;
A manual for living,
    for learning what's right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
    and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
    still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
    the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

Start with God

⁷ Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
    only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.