A Grandmother’s Bible
The fear (awe) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
This scripture is a thesaurus of words about what the “fear of the LORD” is. Three words all with the same meaning. Right? Nope. Each of these “smart” words has a very distinct meaning and each builds on the other.
How can “fear of the LORD” be the beginning of wisdom? To fully grasp this very deep subject we must look to the Hebrew language for our definitions.
At the risk of sounding like an English teacher (some of my friends left English behind with their last required class), we must comprehend the definitions to fully embrace and take hold of this vital scripture which leads to worship of the living God (El Chay) and the ability to serve Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
So here we go:
Wisdom– The Hebrew word is chokmah. This word is used approximately 150 times in the Old Testament alone. In the Book of Exodus, (Ex 31:3) God endows Bezalel for the construction of the Tabernacle: “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship…” This was a Divine gift and belongs to the divine nature of the Holy God Himself. (R.B.Y. Scott, Biblical Wisdom Literature) According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance wisdom existed before the world began, reveals God, was the agent of God in creation, and wisdom dwelt with God. Wisdom is the ability to discern between good and evil, and then take action based on knowledge and understanding. It is seeing things from God’s point of view and is God’s character acted out in the affairs of life. Vance Havner puts it this way: “If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees.” Scripture tells us in James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
“Wisdom thus becomes the unending quest for the meaning of man’s experience of life and religion.” The starting point of wisdom is to submit our lives to the obedience of God’s commands: To follow the imperative to love others and do justly. (Mark 12:28-31) Wisdom is the “exclusive property of God” and is unattainable by man unless the LORD gifts it to him through His Word, His person, and His relationship with man. (Proverbs 23:23) John Piper writes, “meekness and wisdom are one thing. They are both peaceable, gentle, and open to reason.”
Knowledge– The Hebrew is daath. Its meaning is cunning, to be sensible of, by sight, by touch, to mark and observe with a purpose, instruction. Another Hebrew word for knowledge is one of my personal favorites, yada because it speaks of experience. It is not information but intimacy of the facts. It is an acknowledgement of authority. It is a skill, it is an understanding of good and evil (what God desired we NOT know-Genesis 2:17), and a perception.
Understanding– The Hebrew word is binah or tebunah. Understanding is the knowledge of the Holy One. The ability to separate, or distinguish the real from the unreal. To discern or perceive. This is where Eve struggled. She did not separate the truth of God from the deceit of the enemy. The only way to gain knowledge of God is through HIs Word and through relationship.
Understanding comes from knowledge of the LORD, wisdom comes from obeying based on our understanding. Each builds on the other and leads us into worship. All depend on our discernment and actions based on this discernment is what glorifies God in our daily lives. Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, prayed for wisdom! This is the proof of his wisdom (relationship with the Father and previous experiences).
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
Proverbs 3:19-20
Solomon also tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Isaiah prophesied Jesus would be the embodiment of the LORD’s wisdom:
“And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;” (Isaiah 11:2)
Do you want to be smart in the eyes of God? Follow King David’s advice:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10
Who knew it is obedience to the Word of God that leads to worship!
Three words lay a foundation for a deeper, richer, and growing intimacy with the Creator of heaven and earth. Worship at His footstool is really possible.
I Want to Know You by Brian Doerksen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9_gxaL1YyY
Yvonne H. Jones
