THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM

Proverbs 1.1-7
THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.... (1.7)

BEGINNINGS ARE IMPORTANT. A WRONG start to a course of learning, and we may find it difficult to retrace our steps and unlearn. And, without a right starting point, we will not get anywhere. Solomon lays down the first step towards knowledge; it is "the fear of the LORD".

But how does "fear" lead to "knowledge"? The two things appear contradictory. We often associate knowledge with venturing forth, the pioneering spirit, courage and enterprise. To know is to pursue knowledge, to set aside superstitions, prejudices and fears. How then can fear lead to knowledge?

Perhaps, we need to differentiate fear into two kinds: the higher kind and the lower kind. One is healthy and the other is not. A good example of this distinction is found in Mark 4.35-41. The disciples of Jesus were caught in a sudden storm. They feared for their lives. In panic, they woke up Jesus who was asleep in the boat. He arose and commanded the storm to be still. As the calm returned, we read that the disciples "were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!"'

The disciples were struck by fear — during and after the storm. At first, their fear was one of danger, harm and death. Then it became one of holy awe, a reverential fear for Jesus when he demonstrated his power over the elements. If the wind and waves obey him, how much more should they too! The author of Proverbs is speaking of this higher, healthy fear.

He reiterates it in 9.10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." The knowledge which the fear of the Lord leads to is not mere head knowledge. It is "wisdom" or knowledge put to work in life. It is the fruit of active, humble obedience to the God we fear. "Wisdom" occurs forty-five times in Proverbs, and is always practical since it refers essentially to skilfulness. We are to be skilful, not only in making a living, but in living itself. We are to be trained and skilled in godly living.

Ultimately, this skill in obedience is what matters in life. So concludes another wisdom author as he comes to the end of his reflection on life in Ecclesiastes, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (12.13).

Do I fear God with a healthy fear?