May 18, 2020

Over the next 31 days we are going to dive into the book of Proverbs together! The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. It’s important to remember as we read that a proverb is a statement which is generallytrue in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!

In Proverbs chapter 1 we see the first of several superscripts in the book, ascribing the first portion of the book to King Solomon, known as the wisest man besides the Lord Jesus to have ever lived. 

Solomon introduces the book, gives his first paternal advice for his son to avoid becoming entangled in the plans of sinners, and writes an impassioned plea from the perspective of Wisdom, personified here as a woman, for those who walk in the way of fools to turn to her, receive instruction and avoid being destroyed. 

In verse 7 Solomon says this: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This saying serves as a sort of thesis statement around which the rest of the book is going to revolve. Apart from an acknowledgement of and reverence for the Lord’s awesome glory, holiness, and authority, all supposed knowledge and wisdom is vain and useless. It is only through the fear of the Lord that wisdom can find both its only true source and its only correct purpose!

Proverbs 1

The Beginning of Knowledge

1 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 righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple,
    knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
    and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

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

The Enticement of Sinners

8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,
    and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
9 for they are a graceful garland for your head
    and pendants for your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you,
    do not consent.
11 If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;
    let us ambush the innocent without reason;
12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive,
    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we shall find all precious goods,
    we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14 throw in your lot among us;
    we will all have one purse”—
15 my son, do not walk in the way with them;
    hold back your foot from their paths,
16 for their feet run to evil,
    and they make haste to shed blood.
17 For in vain is a net spread
    in the sight of any bird,
18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood;
    they set an ambush for their own lives.
19 Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
    it takes away the life of its possessors.

The Call of Wisdom

20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
    in the markets she raises her voice;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
    at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools hate knowledge?
23 If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
    I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused to listen,
    have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have ignored all my counsel
    and would have none of my reproof,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
    I will mock when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a storm
    and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
    when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
    they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge
    and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 would have none of my counsel
    and despised all my reproof,
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
    and have their fill of their own devices.
32 For the simple are killed by their turning away,
    and the complacency of fools destroys them;
33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
    and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

What does it mean to “fear the LORD”?

Why is the fear of the LORD the only starting point for building a life which could be characterized as wise?

33 thoughts on “Daily Devotionals: May 18”

  1. Thank you GOD for pouring out your Spirit to me if I listen to you. You will guide my paths when I heed your words. ?Thank you GOD for caring for me.

    1. Gracias Padre por tú infinito amor, gracias porque en ti podemos confiar y poner toda nuestra vida en tus manos, porque tú eres nuestro escudo, nuestra fe, nuestra fortaleza,nuestra esperanza, porque tú cuidas de nuestras familias, de todos los que te buscan en espíritu y verdad,gracias por existir en mi vida y llenarme de tú espíritu santo gracias padre en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén ?

    2. To me the fear of the Lord means a “reverent” fear of God’s Might and Power and His Glory! Remember how fearful the children of Israel were when they actually HEARD God’s voice, saw the fire and heard the thunder when He showed Himself to His People!! They stayed at the entrance of their tents! They truly were afraid of God’s reveaked Power!
      Isn’t it interesting that in verse 31 it mentions the people will “the people will have their fill of their DEVICES!” How appropriate for today!

  2. The “Fear of the Lord” to me is to recognize God’s character and respond by showing reverence , trust, worship, obedience, and serving Him with all our heart. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with our amazing God. I am so thankful for His never ending love and compassion that I experience everyday. May the Grace of God fill the hearts of the people of this world and may His compassion overflow into our lives.

  3. You are God and I am not. Everyday I need to realize who you are and give praise continually.

  4. Lord Jesus I look to You for help. Help in fearing Father God. For I have unclean lips and come from a people of unclean lips. May I fear You Lord in every decision that I make. I fear You for You are Holy Holy Holy. I bow before You and take off my shoes in humble obedience before you. Teach me Your ways O Lord In Jesus Name Amen.

  5. What does it mean to “fear the LORD”? I believe to “fear the LORD” means to have an overwhelming awe and respect for the LORD because He is Most Holy, All Powerful and the One Who knows us better than we know ourselves.

    Why is the fear of the LORD the only starting point for building a life which could be characterized as wise? I believe it’s in fearing the LORD that I am able to see my broken state and know that the only way to be whole is through Him. Realizing I am nothing apart from Christ, shows me how much I need Him to be my everything, and this is the beginning of wisdom.

  6. LORD JESUS thank you for giving me wisdom and knowledge on daily basis for I am weak without you

  7. Who is He to impart the guidance for my life? First, one must acknowledge the Greatness of God Almighty, our Creator, Master of all, before one can accept and trust His Wisdom is ultimately best for us…our “controlling principle”. If one doesn’t have an awe of God, how can one respect and receive the knowledge of His Word? How can one trust His Word if one doesn’t trust Him? If we do not rely upon Him, how can one claim to have faith in Him? How can one worship God if He isn’t on His Throne in our heart…in our life?

  8. It is only through the fear of the Lord that wisdom can find both its only true source and its only correct purpose!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Oh Proverbs, old friend. You shed light on truths that are key to digging deeper. How you prepare the mind for understanding.

    We all know, on some level, that greed is wrong. Nobody likes the kid that won’t share. This pursuit for more (greed) becomes an idol that compromises true fellowship. Breaking the two highest commands will destroy one’s life. “Greed takes away the life of its possessors.”

    A study of Revelation will reveal that complacency, simpleness, scoffing, and other examples of refusing to fear the Lord and seek knowledge will undermine and destroy. These truths are serious. We must take our journey seriously. We have two options: eternal life or death.

    God has left us THE BEST instruction manual, THE BEST example, and a DIRECT hotline through prayer. He is our escape plan. Don’t miss this. Proverbs doesn’t damn or chide, but informs our choice. God has given us free will, consistent with creating us in His image, but to have eternal life I must choose Him!

    Maturity is evidenced by having free choice, and/but choosing wisely. God has made all things on this earth allowable. I must choose what is beneficial (He exemplifies kindness and leave us a margin for error.)

    Thank you LORD for your total and complete provision. You form us from love, and love us every step of the way! I feel honored and blessed to walk with You! I give You permission to continue to remove obstacles that hinder me, and I cling to You and Your faithfulness. Thank You for this day that You have made!❤❤❤

  9. Father, you are holy, righteous, the creator of the universe. You are all powerful, all knowing. You give to those who ask. Like Solomon, I ask for wisdom. Help me understand your love for your children, your patience for the prodigals, and the punishment awaiting those who refuse your forgiveness. Amen

  10. Lord, I indeed do fear you. At the same time that I fear you, I am paradoxically pleased to read that, if I do fear you, then I shouldn’t fear anything else. “…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41: 10.”

  11. The fear of the Lord begins with a deep reverence and respect for who He is. The creator of our Universe, the Master of the sky, water, and air. Our God is magnificent and worthy of praise! This is the beginning of wisdom – the recognition that God is the great I AM. This recognition is the starting point of wisdom. As Romans 8:8 states “the mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” May this peace that passes all understanding guide me today as I work to honor my Lord.

  12. Dear Heavenly Father.
    Thank you for loving me and for creating this wonderful world in which we live. Like a loving father, You provide for all of our needs, including instructions on how to live. If a person truly loves You, they will want to show honor and respect to You. I am so thankful for Your love and saving grace. Only fools are puffed up and think they know what’s best for their lives. We can only feel sorry for them to the point that we must try to lead them to You. I am just so thankful that only by Your grace do I go. I will continually trust and obey You because I know You have a plan for my life and I dont want to miss out on it. Please teach me and show me the way. In Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.

  14. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. I will listen to the Lord and live securely, free from the dread of evil.

  15. Lord, help me to continually look to Your wisdom which is infallible. I can wholly trust Your wisdom with my life.

  16. Love to see people continuing to engage here. Lord, help us to daily seek you!

  18. Fear of the Lord means respect & honor. Help me to receive wisdom from you each day, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen

  19. To fear God includes honoring and revering Him
    ultimate wisdom is rooted in obedience to God

  20. “Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public square…” And all day long I have the choice to listen and humble myself under God’s mighty hand or to pridefully think “oh, I’ve got this”! My prayer is to walk circumspectly throughout this day, allowing God’s Spirit in me to have His way! And to quickly repent and turn back to His way when I pridefully choose my way.

  21. Thank you Lord for your wisdom and knowledge that you give me every morning in my prayer time with you. By your guidance each day I can it through my days.

  22. Thank you Lord for that you have done in my life. I praise you and love you with all of my heart

  23. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
        fools despise wisdom and instruction.

    -This verse could not be more true! I was one of those fools once upon a time. ?

  24. Lord, thank you for wisdom, for the ability to fear you, to place you where you deserve, at the top, priority. Help me pay attention to you, respond to your rebuke when I fall short and pour your spirit on me.

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