Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Proverbs 9:10


Imagine your dad was the wisest man to have lived. He writes you a book about how to live well. You'd surely be set for life! Sadly in reality it wasn't the case. Solomon was the father,  Proverbs is the book and Rehoboam was the son, who would go on to divide the kingdom of Israel by his foolishness.


Thankfully Solomon ' s book of proverbial wisdom is preserved for us to hopefully learn from, and in this verse we get the key to the book. Ultimately, having the right knowledge of and regard for God is the means to true wisdom. Fear isn't about blind terror here but a solemn regard for.


We often think of God in the old testament as fearful with his wrath and judgement. We then contrast with the God of love in the new testament. But even Jesus said we are to fear God, who can cast soul and body into hell.


Still, if fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge the road to understanding him, the love of God is the end of wisdom. After all, God summarises what he expects of us by saying to love him with all our beings, and to love others as we love ourselves.


"Holy One, help me to get to know you more and more, to fear you and to love you. Please deepen my wisdom and forgive me for so often being foolish. In Jesus' name, amen"

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