Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 NIV
What does the book of Proverbs mean when it speaks about the fear of the Lord? It is a recognition that Yahweh is holy and set apart and different from mortals like us. It is awe and reverence in the presence of the Almighty. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah demonstrated the fear of the Lord when he became so conscious of his sinfulness before a holy God who cannot tolerate sin. Isaiah had a vision of 'the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.' There were six angels surrounding this throne and these angels were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” [Isaiah 6:1-5 NIV]
So this short proverb is telling us that we need to have a similar experience to Isaiah to gain 'knowledge.' This is not speaking about the type of knowledge gained at university. Nor is it speaking about what is needed to win a quiz show such as 'The Chase.' We can amass so much general knowledge that we can impress all our friends but this is not what impresses God.
If we look at the full verse, we will get some clues as to what this proverb means. The proverb is in two halves and the two parts are joined with the conjunction, "but." The second part of the proverb introduces us to two other qualities - "wisdom" and "instruction." The way the proverb is constructed, these two qualities are compared with the word, "knowledge" in the first part. Knowledge and wisdom are closely related in the book of Proverbs. Knowledge is our understanding of the world in which we live and our place in God's creation; wisdom is the "skill in the art of godly living" or learning to live according to God's will for our lives in His creation [Adapted from the ESV Study Bible page 1135]. Instruction is where we are given guidance in such 'godly living' by others such as the prophets or other servants of God.
Photo by Karren McPherson - photographer for Day Share
The proverb is pretty blunt and describes anyone who despises such knowledge, wisdom and instruction as a 'fool.' But maybe I should explain. The Bible uses the word 'fool' in a different way from the use of the word in our postmodern world. We speak of someone who behaves stupidly as a 'fool.' It is very much a derogatory term. It is used to describe a person who is lacking in common sense or intelligence - or an imbecile. The Bible reserves this word for those who have no moral compass. Anyone who has decided to live their lives without God is defined as a 'fool.'
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds , there is none who does good. [Psalm 14:1 ESV]
So the Bible would class many highly intelligent people as 'fools' because they have turned their back on God.
Photo by Karren McPherson Day Share's 'photographer in residence' whose bespoke pictures will feature in more of the blogs on Proverbs.
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