The fear of the LORDis the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The fear of the Lord is reverent submission to Him, and that reverence is the foundation and starting point of all true knowledge. His way is of greater worth than human ideas and arguments, and is to guide the mind rather than be guided by them. The fools who despise wisdom and instruction are those in whom God is neither feared nor loved and whose religion is not lived out, leaving them without a sound mind, stability, and solid worth. This reverence is to be carried into education, work, and every part of life, keeping temporal interests subject to the claims of the gospel and never sacrificing principle for success. Neglecting study of the Bible causes this reverence to fade, especially among the young, so youth must be taught to study, revere, honor, and obey God's revealed will, a study that benefits them intellectually, morally, and spiritually.
Meaning and Authorship
The fear spoken of is reverent submission to the Lord. That reverence is the foundation and starting point of true knowledge. The same reverence is also taught as the foundation of knowledge in connection with the need to study, revere, honor, and obey God's revealed will. It is likewise the foundation of true greatness. It is the foundation of true and valuable wisdom.
God's way has greater worth than human ideas and arguments, and it rather than they is to guide the mind. Those who reject that way face Christ's judgment, while those who submit to it receive Christ's guidance and assurance together with divine power. Receiving Christ and having Him dwell in the heart makes truth central to life and work, gives life and strength to the whole person, and enables a righteous life and timely words to help those who do not know the truth.
The fools who despise wisdom and instruction are those in whom God is neither feared nor loved and religious principles are not lived out, leaving them without sound minds, stability, and solid worth. The opening words of Proverbs through chapter 1 verse 7 are precious, enduring wisdom written by Solomon when his mind was given to God and inspired by Him. His early choice of God's wisdom contrasts with his later separation from God, when evil associations and yielding to temptation weakened his moral power and brought dishonor to himself, to Israel, and to God.
Living Out Reverence
Reverence for the Lord is the foundation of true greatness, and of true greatness and knowledge, and it calls for carrying religion and integrity into education, work, and every other part of life. Integrity belongs in every pursuit, with religious principle guiding study and choices of lifework, with temporal interests kept subject to the claims of the gospel, and with success never sought by sacrificing principle.
Neglect of Bible study causes this reverence to fade, and the loss is felt especially among the young. Youth must therefore be taught to study God's revealed will and to revere it, honor it, and obey it. Such study of God's word benefits students intellectually, morally, and spiritually.
In parenting, this reverence, which is the foundation of true and valuable wisdom, is to guide discipline and the training of children, producing wise direction, correct behavior, and virtuous character. In child-rearing it is imparted by training children to love, respect, and obey their parents, and that training helps lead them to love God. Teachers in Christian schools are to fear God and keep His commandments, because the fear of God is the foundation for children's spiritual education and growth in the Lord's admonition. The fear of the Lord is also to guide each person's work, with helpers recognizing their responsibility to God and performing their duties faithfully according to their abilities.
The fear of the Lord is reverent submission to Him, and that reverence is the foundation and starting point of all true knowledge. His way is of greater worth than human ideas and arguments, and is to guide the mind rather than be guided by them. The fools who despise wisdom and instruction are those in whom God is neither feared nor loved and whose religion is not lived out, leaving them without a sound mind, stability, and solid worth. This reverence is to be carried into education, work, and every part of life, keeping temporal interests subject to the claims of the gospel and never sacrificing principle for success. Neglecting study of the Bible causes this reverence to fade, especially among the young, so youth must be taught to study, revere, honor, and obey God's revealed will, a study that benefits them intellectually, morally, and spiritually.
Meaning and Authorship
The fear spoken of is reverent submission to the Lord. That reverence is the foundation and starting point of true knowledge. The same reverence is also taught as the foundation of knowledge in connection with the need to study, revere, honor, and obey God's revealed will. It is likewise the foundation of true greatness. It is the foundation of true and valuable wisdom.
God's way has greater worth than human ideas and arguments, and it rather than they is to guide the mind. Those who reject that way face Christ's judgment, while those who submit to it receive Christ's guidance and assurance together with divine power. Receiving Christ and having Him dwell in the heart makes truth central to life and work, gives life and strength to the whole person, and enables a righteous life and timely words to help those who do not know the truth.
The fools who despise wisdom and instruction are those in whom God is neither feared nor loved and religious principles are not lived out, leaving them without sound minds, stability, and solid worth. The opening words of Proverbs through chapter 1 verse 7 are precious, enduring wisdom written by Solomon when his mind was given to God and inspired by Him. His early choice of God's wisdom contrasts with his later separation from God, when evil associations and yielding to temptation weakened his moral power and brought dishonor to himself, to Israel, and to God.
Living Out Reverence
Reverence for the Lord is the foundation of true greatness, and of true greatness and knowledge, and it calls for carrying religion and integrity into education, work, and every other part of life. Integrity belongs in every pursuit, with religious principle guiding study and choices of lifework, with temporal interests kept subject to the claims of the gospel, and with success never sought by sacrificing principle.
Neglect of Bible study causes this reverence to fade, and the loss is felt especially among the young. Youth must therefore be taught to study God's revealed will and to revere it, honor it, and obey it. Such study of God's word benefits students intellectually, morally, and spiritually.
In parenting, this reverence, which is the foundation of true and valuable wisdom, is to guide discipline and the training of children, producing wise direction, correct behavior, and virtuous character. In child-rearing it is imparted by training children to love, respect, and obey their parents, and that training helps lead them to love God. Teachers in Christian schools are to fear God and keep His commandments, because the fear of God is the foundation for children's spiritual education and growth in the Lord's admonition. The fear of the Lord is also to guide each person's work, with helpers recognizing their responsibility to God and performing their duties faithfully according to their abilities.