THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE

Passage: Proverbs 1:1-7

Key verse: 7

NIV

Purpose and Theme

1 The proverbs(A) of Solomon(B) son of David, king of Israel:(C)

2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a](D)
    knowledge and discretion(E) to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,(F)
    and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,(G)
    the sayings and riddles(H) of the wise.[b](I)

7 The fear of the Lord(J) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[c] despise wisdom(K) and instruction.(L)

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.
  2. Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
  3. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Beginning of Knowledge

1 (A)The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know wisdom and instruction,
    to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
    in (B)righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to (C)the simple,
    knowledge and (D)discretion to the youth—
5 Let the wise hear and (E)increase in learning,
    and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
    (F)the words of the wise and their (G)riddles.

7 (H)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
INTRODUCTION (THE WISDOM TO LIVE AS THE PEOPLE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD) Key Verse: 9:1 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs in Hebrew is "Mashal", "Comparison" and 'Watch out.' The main word of the Proverbs is 'Hokma' "Wisdom, here repeated 14 times. It was written by Solomon and many wise men. It teaches that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. It uses comparisons to teach practical wisdom about life. Especially it compares the path of the wise with that of the fool. In short it teaches us to apply divine wisdom to daily life and provides moral instruction: Chapters 1-9 are about wisdom for young people. It shows the way of adultery so that the young men may avoid temptation and trust in God alone; chapters 1 -24 deals with wisdom for all people. It emphasizes what is wisdom in using our tongue and word to build up neighbors and communities. In this sense Proverbs is similar to James in the New Testament; chapters 25-31 deal with Wisdom for leaders. Especially Agul and Rhemuel's instruction about the most precious woman are written in chapters 3 -31. Here Wisdom is personified. It looks like the Word that became flesh--Jesus, who is the source of Wisdom. When we hear him, and obey him, we will gain wisdom for eternal salvation. 1. The purpose of the Proverbs (1-6) Solomon desired and received unprecedented wisdom from God. He wrote most of the Proverbs. It was for the young as well as for all to attain wisdom and discipline, for understanding of the words of insight. They were not to accumulate knowledge. They were to do what is right and fair. The young will be given prudence, knowledge and discretion. The wise will add to their learning and the discerning gets guidance. Mostly the proverbs will help to understand parables, the sayings and riddles (thought provoking questions) of the Lord. 2. Knowing God is the key of wisdom (7) The Proverbs are not just wise words of men. Its theme is 'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge'. It helps to have awesome respect and burning desire to know God through his word. Then we will be wiser every day through the word of God. But fools are those who think they know everything and despise God's wisdom and instruction.

Prayer: Lord, let me learn the fear of the Lord through Proverbs. Make me one of the wise sons of the Lord God.

One Word: Fear God, and be wise