The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” 

Last night, our Wednesday Evening Bible Study group at church began a new video study series by Pastor Francis Chan titled "BASIC", and the first session was on the fear of God - what that really means and this essential element of the Christian faith implications in our life produces. The Hebrew word for “fear” here is “yir'â”, meaning fear, terror, an awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear) and the fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety. The infinite, almighty God, who created everything (time, space, matter, life, the Cosmos (universe), the life-sustaining Earth and all that lives, moves, breathes and has its being, is a truly awesome and terrifying Creator in magnitude, power and ability, but knowing it is a healthy fear. Let’s look at some Bible verses that list our benefits from this Wholesome fear of the Lord.

 

Proverbs 2:1-5 “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”  

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” 

 

Proverbs 14:26-27 “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27

 

Proverbs 16:6 “Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.” 

 

Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”  

 

Proverbs 22:2-4 “Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”   

 

Psalms 34:9 “Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” 

 

Psalms 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”   

 

Isaiah 33:6 “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”  

In Christ, Brian