Now that is a loaded question! And yet that is the question that continues to circulate in my head today after reading the first four chapters of the Book of Proverbs, a book in the Bible written by Solomon. Solomon was a King of Israel who was noted for his superior wisdom (btw … you can read a great example of Solomon’s wisdom recorded in the Bible -- 1 Kings 3:16-28).
Solomon wrote the Proverbs to help instill in future generations the importance of seeking wisdom and knowledge. During the first chapter of Proverbs, Solomon makes the following bold claim: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7 NIV)
For those of us who are seeking to point others to the love, patience, and mercy of God, we are quick to explain to others that the reader of the Bible can substitute the word “respect” for “fear.” This explanation is clearly seen in the Message translation of this verse with the following words: “Start with GOD—the first step in learning is bowing down to GOD.”
After reading Proverbs 1:7 this morning, I am wondering if we have been too quick to “explain away” the uncomfortable nature of the word “fear.” Now don’t get nervous, I am not going to go buy a “bull horn” and start shouting at the street corner, “Turn or Burn!” But I wonder in my attempt to help others know that they can have confidence in approaching God, if I have minimized the importance of having reverent hearts that truly stand in awe of the power, holiness, and the justice of God.
The LORD is an awesome God, who is worth of all of our respect, honor, and “healthy fear.” I think it is possible to have both confidence in approaching God and a humble astonishment of the greatness of the LORD. It is almost like Solomon is reminding us to humbly admit that we don’t have all of the answers for life, but the LORD does … so seek Him with humble hearts!
No comments:
Post a Comment