What does God mean by the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and knowledge f the Holy One is understanding?
In the context of Proverbs 9:10, which states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding," can you explain how the concept of fearing the Lord contributes to the development of wisdom? How can this principle be applied in practical decision-making in contemporary life?
The first question that must be asked is what does the scriptures mean by fear? The Aramaic word used here is iyr’â, which means fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety. Therefore fear of God is to acknowledge that He is God then act accordingly.
Next we have a combining of two very interesting statements, "is the beginning and of wisdom”. The scriptures provide definitions for both of these “titles”. Let’s look at them to get an understanding of what is truly being communicated by the Lord.
Colossians 1:18
And He (Jesus Christ) is the head of the body, the church, who is (Jesus is) THE BEGINNING, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Hebrews 1:10
And: “You, LORD, IN the Beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Where was God? In the Beginning. Who is the Beginning? Christ. Does the scriptures actually teach that? Yes.
2 Corinthians 5:19
that is, that God WAS IN Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
John 14:11
Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
John 17:21
that they all may be one, as You, Father, ARE IN ME, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Next wisdom.
In Proverb 8 wisdom is personified as the Lord Jesus. Listen to God.
1 Cor. 1:22-25
For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the WISDOM of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Cor. 1:29-30
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, WHO BECAME FOR US WISDOM FROM GOD—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
With that said then what is knowledge in this passage. The Aramaic word used here is ḏa’aṯ, which means discernment. Discernment? Yes. The Lord explained exactly what He meant in Job therefore we do not have to guess at its meaning.
Job 28:28
And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and (discernment or the true knowledge of the nature of God will always lead a person) to depart from evil (because this) is understanding (who God is, what is God’s will).’”
Hence, this scripture passage, Proverbs 9:10, is speaking of the nature of the new birth. Once you have Wisdom (Christ) which is found in the Beginning (Christ) then you can take on the nature, Knowledge, which leads to a departure from evil because you can now understand who God is.
The application is that every decision, every choice, every thought, and ultimately every action must be filter with God's word and what God has declared is holy, righteous, just, and good. Not what we desire but what God has said.
