Immediately after Solomon’s introduction to the book of Proverbs and its fourfold purpose (1:1-4) and his hearty encouragement to vigorously pursue wisdom (1:5-6), he gets down to brass tacks: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7).
Every life, every marriage, every business venture, every contest has a starting point. Everyone’s journey to an eternal destiny has one too. If you want your journey to be safeguarded while in route and conclude with a “happily ever after”, the fear of the Lord must be the chief focus of your life. Any other foundation for one’s life is sand and will wash away when the violent storms—common to human existence—come crashing down upon you (Matthew 7:26-27).
Reverence for God, His holiness, His power, His wisdom, His perfection, His knowledge, His love, His integrity is the genesis of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) and wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). When such comprehensive and profound reverence expresses itself in careful and diligence obedience to His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13) “happily ever after” is its final destination.
Only “fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).
