by Robin Tidwell

Created on: October 10, 2009   Last Updated: November 18, 2009

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

There are many Biblical references to the "fear of God"; some, of course, literally mean "fear" as when Pharaoh began to fear God - or rather, fear what God was doing to him and to his people. When the children of Israel were given the Ten Commandments, they "trembled in fear" from the noise and the smoke on the mountain.

But this particular verse has been both misinterpreted and misunderstood for many generations. Our definition of the word "fear" is "to be afraid", a negative connotation; the Bible, however, nominally equates with "fear" with respect. Much as children are taught to "fear" their parents, i.e., respect and obey, so, too, are we to "fear" God.

Therefore, fearing the Lord is indeed the beginning of wisdom, as our respect and obedience of God is the key to wisdom and discernment.

What does "the beginning" of wisdom mean? Obviously, this is the starting point, fear of God, and wisdom will follow in due course. If we respect and obey, i.e., fear, God, we will be prepared to accept wisdom, to study, to learn. We will be ready for God, ready for the Holy Spirit to do His work.

What is wisdom? The first Biblical reference to this is found in Genesis 3:6, "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

This tells us that wisdom is good and desirable. The story, of course, is that of Eve and the forbidden fruit, the result of which was man's fall from grace. Eve's action, however, was not wise; she listened to the serpent, to Satan, and exhibited the foolishness of disobedience.

Deuteronomy 4:5-6 also equates wisdom with obedience: "See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'"

The entire chapter references God's teaching and laws for His children to follow, in order that others may observe their wisdom. This passage in particular points out the desirability of wisdom gained by following God's precepts.

The book of I Kings

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