"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction."-Prov. 1:7
Commentary: "1. He lays down this truth, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (v. 7); it is the principal part of knowledge (so the margin); it is the head of knowledge; that is, (1.) Of all things that are to be known this is most evident, that God is to be feared, to be reverenced, served, and worshipped; this is so the beginning of knowledge that those know nothing who do not know this. (2.) In order to the attaining of all useful knowledge this is most necessary, that we fear God; we are not qualified to profit by the instructions that are given us unless our minds be possessed with a holy reverence of God, and every thought within us be brought into obedience to him. If any man will do his will, he shall know of his doctrine, Jn. 7:17. (3.) As all our knowledge must take rise from the fear of God, so it must tend to it as its perfection and centre. Those know enough who know how to fear God, who are careful in every thing to please him and fearful of offending him in any thing; this is the Alpha and Omega of knowledge.
2. To confirm this truth, that an eye to God must both direct and quicken all our pursuits of knowledge, he observes, Fools (atheists, who have no regard to God) despise wisdom and instruction; having no dread at all of God's wrath, nor any desire of his favour, they will not give you thanks for telling them what they may do to escape his wrath and obtain his favour. Those who say to the Almighty, Depart from us, who are so far from fearing him that they set him at defiance, can excite no surprise if they desire not the knowledge of his ways, but despise that instruction. Note, Those are fools who do not fear God and value the scriptures; and though they may pretend to be admirers of wit they are really strangers and enemies to wisdom."
My Comments: The theme of the fear of the Lord is seldom ever preached today by pastors or evangelists. Yet it is a theme that runs throughout the whole of God's Word. The prophets, our Lord Jesus, the apostles and early disciples all preached much on that theme. For example, Jesus declared, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell"-Matthew 10:28. He also proclaimed to the multitudes, "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell"-Matthew 5:29-30.
In the book of Revelation we read of the end-times angel who preaches on the fear of God right before God pours out His judgments on rebellious humanity. John the apostle writes there, "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-- 7 saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water"-Rev.14:6-7.
So we see that this is an important theme to God; one which He would have his people to heed, apply to their own lives, and declare to a lost and dying world. The good news is that He has provided a remedy for our sins through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We can declare both the fear of God and the kindness of God because of what our Lord has accomplished on that cross. Through the cross the ultimate judgment of God, His righteous, fierce anger is removed from those who repent and trust in Christ as their Lord and Savior. God is not just out to destroy us but to restore us. But He is to be feared by His people because He is holy and commands us to be holy as He is holy(1Peter 1:16).