The Fear of the LORD Is the Beginning of Wisdom

Fear of the LORD goes beyond mere awe and respect for Him. It includes trembling before a God whom we desperately want to please and who will judge our performance.

The wicked live by their own rules. They do not fear the LORD (Psalm 36:1). Sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners of justice, do not fear the LORD (Malachi 3:5).

We gain additional insight into what it means to fear the LORD from Esther 9:3 (NIV): “And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them.”

These leaders trembled before Mordecai because of his position of authority in the kingdom. They sought his favor and hustled to please him.

Mordecai was a Jew, so they decided to help the Jews. Fear of Mordecai was more than a feeling. It motivated their decision to assist the Jews.

We demonstrate that we fear the LORD by seeking His favor and doing what pleases Him. We praise, honor, and revere Him (Psalm 22:23, Psalm 135:20).

Both belief in and fear of the LORD significantly shape our words and actions. People who fear the LORD know God (Isaiah 11:2), avoid evil (Proverbs 16:6, Job 28:28), do not envy sinners (Proverbs 23:17), do not curse the deaf, do not try to make the blind stumble (Leviticus 19:14), or take advantage of each other (Leviticus 25:17).

They walk in obedience to the LORD, love Him, serve Him with all their heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12), trust Him (Psalm 40:3), fear Him above all gods (Psalm 96:4), revere His glory (Isaiah 59:19), and are zealous for the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 2:10).

Fearing God is not automatic. We must learn to fear and obey Him (Deuteronomy 31:12, Psalm 34:11, Ezra 10:3, Psalm 128:1).

We fear Him because His hand is powerful (Joshua 4:24). He is great and worthy of praise (1 Chronicles 16:25). Judges who feared the LORD judged carefully without injustice, partiality, or bribery (2 Chronicles 19:7). They judged others faithfully and wholeheartedly (2 Chronicles 19:9), knowing the LORD would judge them.

The fear of the LORD brings many benefits. It is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10), a fountain of life, turning a people from the snares of death (Proverbs 14:27 NIV), a key to a treasure, a sure foundation for our times, and a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge (Isaiah 33:6).

The LORD remembers those who fear him and honor His name (Malachi 3:16). His Spirit encourages them (Acts 9:31), adds length to their lives, and keeps them safe (Proverbs 10:27, 29:24).

His eyes are on them, and they hope in His unfailing love (Psalm 33:18). His angel delivers them (Psalm 34:7).

The fear of the LORD is associated with meeting God face-to-face on Judgment Day. “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.” (2 Corinthians 5:11 NIV).

We usually fear many other things if we do not fear the LORD. If we fear Him, we do not have to fear anything else. What is your takeaway? See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.  #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources

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