The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 KJV
It is not a common thing to find a single sentence where wisdom, knowledge and understanding are all mentioned. We also make the wrong assumption that the environment or experiences shapes the things a person's life produces. Actually, I believe it is more than all that. Environmental factors are good, but no matter how well you cultivate corn seed, place it side by side with millet seed, nurture and give it all it requires to make it grow as millet, it will never produce millet. It then means that what we see on the outside isn't so much about the environment but about the work that goes on in secret, away from eyes. That is the main thrust of today's extract.
We hear a person speak, and we define him/her as wise. How did we make that conclusion: it wasn't first about the way s/he dressed, or even the grammatical construct of what was said, but the silent message and power behind the words spoken. For a man to be truly wise, the foundations are laid in secret, away from roving eyes. The fear of the Lord is called the beginning of wisdom. You can't place a physical price on it, because it is not the sort of thing you can buy on the open market. You can't force it to happen; it is a product of private cultivation and daily nourishing. You can't touch or see it or point it out in physical terms, but there is no doubt that when you see a man with the fear of God, his entire life reflects it.
I note it says it is the 'beginning' of wisdom, and like all things sown, it requires nurturing and watering. You don't plant a seed and go to sleep; you provide nutrients, keep weeds away and make sure the soil remains at peak levels to sustain the seed. And when I come to know and fear God, my journey towards the fulfilment of all that God wants has started. I keep searching for more and more of God. I make sure I know what He loves and seek to do just that. It is this knowledge of God, built up and sustained, that is the basis and essence of understanding.
If I don't know who God is, how do I know his ways? I may not always know the why behind his actions, but a personal knowledge of God helps me to accept and embrace his dealings. I may not always know where he leads, but my knowledge of God tells me He can't lead me astray or into trouble without providing a way of escape. The more of God I know, the more of Him I realise I don't really know. That keeps me grounded, and helps me seek Him more. Thinking I got God figured out is the greatest mistake a man can make. May the Lord help me to fear Him. That fear is the healthy type, that will lead you to eternal life. If you don't have, you will get into trouble. His time of favour is here.
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