The Fear Of God - Wisdom

Just a few thoughts this morning as we sit at the airport on the way to Colombia - still thinking about wisdom and the fear of the Lord...

Fear only two: God, and the man who has no fear of God

Hasidic Saying

Shame arises from the fear of men, conscience from the fear of God

Samuel Johnson

Notice the poetic use of couplets in every verse below. The writer makes two statements in every verse. The second part builds upon the thought in the first part of the verse - wisdom is just like this - it builds as we come to understand it more and more. There are further layers to contemplate:

Proverbs 2:1-9

1 My son, if you receive my words, 
And treasure my commands within you,

2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
 And apply your heart to understanding;

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
 And lift up your voice for understanding,

4 If you seek her as silver, 
And search for her as for hidden treasures;

5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
 And find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
 From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
 He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;

8 He guards the paths of justice, 
And preserves the way of His saints.

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, 
Equity and every good path.

Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding

Proverbs 16:16

How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - think about what the next step is...and is there such a thing as the end of wisdom?