Proverbs 1: 7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
What is the "fear of the Lord"? Is it being afraid of a stern, harsh Judge?
Not at all. Only the wicked need to have that fear. Because we know God is a just Judge that will give each person what they deserve, He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, because all their chances to turn to Him are gone.
The "fear of the Lord" is a reverential respect for His power and authority. And it brings the knowledge of His gentleness and mercy, His kindness and grace, His goodness and compassion.
But fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Who is a "fool"? The jester in the colorful costume? When someone disdains wise counsel and decides for himself instead, this is foolish. And when he resents the consequences of his own choices, putting the blame on someone else, that's foolish, too.
So the "fool" in the book of Proverbs is someone who is morally deficient, not being able to discern what's right from what's wrong and harmful.
The Book of Proverbs contrasts mainly the wise person and the fool. It repeatedly links wisdom with understanding, and foolishness with lack of understanding.
If we have wisdom, then we will understand the reality of the situation. If we don't understand, then we will see the situation in a twisted or distorted manner, which would rob us of the blessings we otherwise would have enjoyed.
Proverbs has 31 chapters, which lends very handily to reading a chapter each day, reading the book in a month, every month.
Its practical wisdom will permeate our hearts if we familiarize ourselves with this book, immersing ourselves in it each month, reading it through 12 times in a year.
O my Father, Thank You for this Book among all the Books of the Bible. Thank You for the practical counsel it provides for getting along with our fellow humans in the World. Please clarify Your Truth in our minds, so that we will be able to see and understand how Your ways are so far above our ways, and follow Your path in our thinking processes and living our lives.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
