Parenting by the Book
STUDY 10
Text: Proverbs 10
2 September 2001
THE CONCEPT OF “THE FEAR OF THE LORD”
Dear Parents,
THE QUEST FOR WISDOM
Wisdom is not easily obtained. Only the person who truly loves wisdom will find it. The person who seeks wisdom must be prepared to do the following:-
1. He has to learn how to “receive and treasure” instruction commands given (Proverbs 2:1)
2. He has to “incline his ear to wisdom” (Proverbs 2:2). The graphic detail of a person cocking his ear to hear better indicates great interest and desire to pick up every word of instruction from the teacher.
3. The task is not over after hearing sound words of advice. The pupil of wisdom must also “apply his heart to understanding” (Proverbs 2:2).
4. If wisdom is not within easy reach, he must be prepared to “cry out for discernment and he must lift up his voice for understanding” (Proverbs 2:3)
5. He must be prepared to do more. He must seek wisdom as a prospector searches for silver or hidden treasures (Proverbs 2:4).
Tales of prospectors spending months and years searching for silver, gold and other treasures are many. These are prepared to go to extreme ends to find the treasures they seek. In the same manner, wisdom-seekers must be prepared to go to any length to obtain wisdom.
“THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD” PROVERBS 2:5
The quest for wisdom is a noble one. However, wisdom is not easily obtained as silver and hidden treasures are not easy to find. However, if one is prepared to go to great lengths to find wisdom, then wisdom would be found. In fact, the diligent student would be rewarded with understanding – of the fear of the Lord.
We may speak of a theoretical understanding of the fear of the Lord. We can define our terms. We can analyse every word in the phrase and attempt to expound the phrase in the most scholarly way. But we would still not be able to come to a full comprehension of the fear of the Lord. However when a person has proven himself to be genuinely diligent and faithful, he will be rewarded with a special understanding. He will be able to understand “the fear of the LORD”.
“AND FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD” PROVERBS 2:5
The “knowledge of God” and “the fear of the LORD” are put side by side so that we could understand better what it means to know God. Mere theoretical knowledge of God may not lead to a fear of the Lord.
The person who genuinely seeks wisdom and understanding of God will find that He will reveal Himself to the seeker. He would then have a deep comprehension of what it truly means to fear God. Let us be challenged to find God truly personal and real in our life. Then would we be able to find the knowledge of God.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie