Articles
The Fear of The LORD - Proverbs
The Fear Of The Lord
Reading Proverbs brings back memories of younger years. Times are different but the same. Young people still need instruction and advice. They DO listen; the important thing is WHO do the listen to?
The young man addressed in these chapters is a fortunate young man for he has both a father and a mother that have instructed concerning God, friends, character, right and wrong. Time and again we will read about sex, work ethics; choice of friends; and character.
We see the Proverb writer coming back time and again to the ultimate foundation of life: God. The advice given is not just about the father’s opinions, likes, and desires, but is based upon the very character of God.
The fear of the LORD will be spoken of some 19 times in this book*. It begins: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). Once, we read of the fear of man, but it is contrasted with the fear of the LORD: "The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted” (Proverbs 29:25) As we transition from youth to adult, our understanding and relationship with God become the deciding point of many of our decisions. Those that know and fear the Lord despise evil and walk uprightly. Those that don’t fear God have removed the greatest incentive to follow righteousness.
Your understanding of God will shape your life. In a day where people have either denied the very existence of God or have perverted their understanding of His character, we see evil being proclaimed as good and good as evil. The very things God hates are often paraded as virtues. Reading Proverbs shows that such things are not really new. Have you cultivated a fear of God? Hugh DeLong
* A list of where "fear of the LORD" appears in Proverbs:
Prov 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
1:29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
2:5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8:13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
14:2 Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.
14:26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
15:33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
16:6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
22:4 The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
23:17 Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.
24:21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,
28:14 Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
29:25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
