The Fear of The Lord

Dear class,

Just a quick note on one of the passages in yesterday's readings from Pro 8,9 and 1Corinthians 16.

Pro 9:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

A simple yet powerful statement that should be central to every Christian's life. As so it's echoed in

Pro 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Which highlights the flip side. By slighting God and His wisdom, we pronounce foolishness on ourselves. Truly, as Jeremiah exclaims, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."

Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Job gives a further commentary - to abstain from evil. Paul would even exhort the saints to abstain from all APPEARANCE of evil (1Th 5:23).

Psa 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Fear is manifested in action! It is also one of the most effective ways to guard against the wiles of the devil and keep ourselves pure.

Ecc 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Solomon couldn't have put it any better. It is interesting that the word "duty" is merely implied. The original language expresses the idea of "entirety". Not a mere "obligation".
How then suppose shall we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength? (Mar 12:30)

Let us let the simple exhortations from the Word of God sink in and affect in us even as we go about our daily endeavours, ever mindful to prepare for eternity.

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul

--
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. ~ Colossians 2:6-8

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. ~ Colossians 4:6