Provebs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction”
When I look back over my life, I can remember so many times when I have been challenged by what seemed to me like very difficult decisions. The difficulty lay in the fact that I was being confronted with something about myself that was not all that attractive, and that God wanted to help me with. It usually meant humbling myself, it always involved some sort of risk, and there was a genuine and urgent dependence on God for the whole journey.
Ideally none of us would ever find ourselves in this situation, where we have at some point messed up, and now God is drawing it out into the light, and we come face to face with something of our own self. It’s in that moment, the choice that we make there, that we have the opportunity to be lifted up onto wisdom’s highway. I can honestly say that at times I have had to risk everything to stay the path. My friend said to me once many years ago, “Allan, there are some things in life that are not good to go through, but are good to have gone through”. My prayer for us today is that we continue to take the path that leads to wisdom, no matter the challenge.
KNOWLEDGE
The platform we are drawn to is either one of wisdom or one of foolishness, there is no middle ground ascribed by the writer. Wisdom is anchored in the right relationships, from which flows a right outlook. There is longevity and purpose seen in wisdom. There is an appreciation for who God is and what he has given us, as well as his model for a full life – we offer back with the love of a son or daughter the first fruits God gives us, and in doing this we plant a seed that will produce an unstoppable harvest.
Foolishness is lonely and constantly in strife, making “on the spot” hasty decisions with no moral compass to provide direction. Foolishness carries an attitude of knowing it all, needing no help, being self-made and being in control. Foolishness despises dependency and interdependency and continually tries to be independent in thinking and action.
UNDERSTANDING: Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live? The word “beginning” in the Hebrew language is pronounced “re’siyt” and appears 51 times in the Old Testament. It is translated into the English words: firstfruits; best; choicest; choice portion; and, beginning. So in verse seven, chapter one of Proverbs we could read this word “beginning” as “the first fruits or choicest part” of knowledge is having a right understanding of who God is and who I am?
WISDOM: what does your current life platform look like? Are you dependent, independent or interdependent?
Strengths Thought – Relator is a beautiful Relationship Strength – you care deeply about relationships, and are interested in going deeper – hearing or telling the hard truths is meat and drink to you. You value authenticity and want to connect with others who value the same, as a guide, advisor and mentor. You will find it easy to develop an exclusive relationship with God, however with people you should be less exclusive perhaps.
P.S. – Broken trust will be devastating for you.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [impacting recognition of my sonship with Yahweh is where I start to learn, disregard of this relationship leaves me a different person with a hard heart against God.]
PRAYER: Father thank you for today. Please help me to develop my interdependence with other key people that you have positioned in my life. Thank you!
I amso grateful for all feedback – thank you!
I learnt today that it all starts with a reverent fear of the Lord. Then I will recognise and learn wise instruction, shun foolish ways and incorporate knowledge into my daily life. Only then will I be ready to impart this knowledge to the young and growing minds.
there are some things in life that are not good to go through, but are good to have gone through”.
This statement made me reflex on my own journey through life and the times I was guided by my own wants and desires bust also the times when I put the lord first and myself second. Needless to say there was a huge difference in outcomes.
Great Encouragement today Allan. Something I need to keep working on is identifying the right Godly relationships and allowing God to lead me into those relationships. Who brings the best out of me? Great question.
The highway to wisdom really is the high way. It takes humility and self awareness to address those things in us that maybe only you and God know about, pride gets in the way of us recognising our need for God to address those little foxes. I’m good at hiding that stuff, I’m thankful for these readings it’s really helping me understand the scripture but also areas in me that need more of him and less of me.
Amen Amen Amen!
Love your explanation.
There this this verse that Apostle Paul said to his young disciple Titus:
“Let no one despise you .”
I have been meditating on this and came to a conclusion; “DESPISE THE DESPICABLE.”
Thank you!
Wisdom and learning stem from my relationship with God, in this I find transforming growth in my life. This relationship has changed me so positively it has changed not only my course, but that of generations. I can never underestimate the transformation that takes place when Jesus is my life, my teacher, my leader and my friend.
Amen Amen Amen!
Thank you for the insight given.
I was meditating on Titus 2:10-15
“
DESPISE THE DESPICABLE “
Apostle Paul affirms this to his disciple Titus :
“LET NO ONE DESPISE YOU “Titus 2:15b
Thank you.
What am I going to give to the people around me if I do not draw from Yahweh? HE alone gives me wisdom and strength so I could go through each day. My dependence to God helps me become better with my relationships down here.
Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom, Ps Allan. God bless you, everyday.
When I read all this today I think that when I am at peace it comes from a position of being dependent on God. Once I try to do it on my own everything goes wrong. I have learnt that now and I choose Gods way (sometimes still with some speed humps along the way).
I have had some difficult decisions to make over the last year, but am still living in the consequence of earlier decisions. I love the whole study this morning Allan and the way you have laid it all out. I always remember the day that you said to me that forgiveness and consequence are two separate things. Even when you know you are forgiven by God, you still have to live the consequence out.
But God knows the end from the beginning and wisdom always says to follow him, trust him and don’t revert back to my own feelings and own wisdom!
The word fear in this context has often bothered me, because of its associations in past experiences so I like Strong’s definition – moral reverence. It really cool that foolishness is related to the resistance or rejection of correction or teaching rather than making a poor choice or mistake. Dependance on the Lord and others is important and I need to work on this in my work, I am often caring for others and feel the absence of others to care for me. Need to work on asking for support ! I wonder how avoidant attachment styles might make this a challenge for some people in depending on others and God. Over dependance or unhealthy dependance on others could also be foolish? I like that word- interdependence. Love the prayer thought😊
I love this:
1. Humbling yourself
2. A risk
3. Genuine and urgent dependence on God for the whole journey
It takes full humility, faith to step out and a committed trust in God to truly learn and grow in the midst of the darkest season!
Thanks Pastor Allan for this message. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of all understanding. When I look back at my life and the choices I’ve made with relationships and dependecies. I regret many times for not putting God first. But in hindsight each time I have put Him first my life has been enriched. Each time I put Him first and depend on Him to provide all my needs, He has never disappointed. My relationship with God has also been strengthened.
Having a healthy fear to please God and live according to his will and purpose for my life,
Being wise and sensitive to his instruction help us to make Godly choices and good desitions in life
When we are independent of God,and fail to see the love and discipline he’s trying to show us we follow a path of destruction,which has a domino effect on ourselves aswellas the people closest to our hearts.
My life platform in this season has been to be completely dependent on the love of the holy spirit ,
To submit to him ,and be sensitive to his prompts in my life .
To be humble and obedient even when my flesh don’t feel like it,
Trusting him always in challenging times,
Knowing for certain that He never leaves us or forsaken us ,and that His mercies are new every morning 🙏
God’s Word is so black or white – wisdom or foolishness! Pride vs humility! Taking the higher path is a battle often between the flesh & the spirit. As I contemplate over my life not every decision was wise particularly in my youth but this was because of my immaturity & lack of understanding the truth of God’s Word as well as not having mature Christian mentors who were available to come alongside me to speak wisdom. It’s always a journey & hopefully one does learn from one’s mistakes fully learning & knowing Godly wisdom is a prize to be sort after as well as understanding how important it is to seek out trusted mature Christian friends who will help us make wise decisions which not only affect our own lives but those around us.
When knowing the pathway of life though God, you understand how short we actually fall short of his Glory, so it makes you become alert. So everything you do in life you question is it right and does it line up with God. The world we live in is so easy to get caught up with and lead you to the wrong road, but yet the world says its good yet its so wrong and our flesh wants it but our spirit will alert you its wrong from the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 1:7 – What I can relate to with my daily battles in my mine and what come to my mine, but I keep reminding myself that the battle has already been won 2000 years ago in Calvary ……..Thakyou Jesus.
To fear The lord – revere Him (love hope and fear combo) knowing He is our beloved Father , trusting Him with everything in our life is sacred. To despise wisdom is to despise God (for only he is all knowing and dependable) Amen
What resonates with me is your explanation Wisdom is anchored in right relationships !!! The relator strength also explains so much of who I am also and therefore confirms for me that what I believe and the desire of my heart is what God desires for me also.
Loved your prayer – Father … please help me develop my interdependence with other key people that you have positioned in my life. To grow me and them in the things of God
Keeping one another accountable in our actions for His names sake .
Great Word Allen
Relatable and impacting thoughts for us
Thank you
Wow! Wisdom is anchored in right relationship, from which flows a right outlook. There is a longevity and purpose seen in wisdom .
I’m thankful for what is doing in my life and how Has helped to capacity of how to related with others .
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.
I really appreciate this Word as it is so timely for me. I’ve been reflecting on the relationships in my life and trying to be intentional with who I have let into my circle of influence and who I am influencing… from the beginning of today’s words it really highlighted the importance of intentionally strengthening relationships. The Strengths Relator Thought was interesting and the AUV was really good too!
I believe we should live with a reverence fear for God. Knowing that we are also loved beyond any love by God This definitely helps with decisions I make within my life now, compared to life in addiction where I only focused on my personal needs with no care or fear of the outcome. To now live with a reverence fear is something that helps me strive to be a good husband, friend, father, son and brother.
There is much to think about on this one.. dependability as a core value, “ Wisdom is anchored in right relationships, from which flows a right outlook, who brings the best out in me.. love your unauthorised version. So helpful
Thanks again Allan for an amazing blog. I had never thought about the fact of nothing in between foolishness and wisdom. No sliding scale. You’re either foolish or wise . How much grief I have caused me self over the years by not waiting for Gods wisdom on a matter. So often we are like arrogant teenagers who have an attitude that would blow your socks off!! Without God and his wisdom I am nothing.
I really enjoyed the breakdown you gave to understand this verse.
The more I read into Proverbs the more my heart and mind is amazed at how good our God is to have given us such detailed instruction to deal with the practical affairs of everyday life that we grapple with, all we need to do is turn to his word.
Honor your Father and your Mother!
The respect and Love we give our parents the same way we should love our father In Heaven
The way our parents guide us sane way our Heavenly Father guides us and correct us because He knows what is best for us.
Fear of the Lord is knowing who we are in God and what He means to us
He is the Almighty the alpha and the omega
Thank you Jesus for setting our path straight
Love you Jesus!
Relationships in today’s current situation are paramount
But if we lose the ultimate relationship we lose a lot
We go through things to help others not to go through the same things
To fear is to be defeated
With god on our side defeat is not an option
Thanks Allan, this was good. The reverent fear of God, worshipping him, loving him, learning all that is the beginning of knowledge. It is a starting point of not just head knowledge, but self-discipline and wisdom
A total dependence on God and trusting him and seeking wisdom for my everyday is my current platform.
Thanks Allan. Fear – not as being scared, but being humble and honouring who God is. I also looked up the definition of knowledge to refresh. Gaining knowledge is not only theoretical but practical as well. So what I got from this was, with our humble and honouring stance God makes available knowledge and wisdom which is practical and experiential.
Foolishness comes from the issue of heart, wisdom comes from the right posture & relationship with God.
Thank you, Pastor Allan. A holy and reverent fear of the Lord draws us closer to Him, driving us to seek His presence and follow His ways. It stirs a deep desire to honour Him and stand rightly before Him. Without this fear, we lose the humility needed before both God and men, which inevitably leads to downfall and destruction.
“There are some things in life that are not good to go through, but are good to have gone through”
This is reflects my life experiences and where are am I now is the result of the experiences I had through the challenging times.
The reverence fear of the God is beginning of the knowledge which leads to….
Beginning of the repentance
Beginning of the correction
Beginning of the forgiveness
Beginning of the humbleness
Eventually will leads to beginning of the wisdom and lead us into a right believing of who we are in God and our son (daughter) ship connection with Him.
Thanks for the wonderful insight Allan.
God bless