The Fear of the Lord

from Proverbs 3:5-7 and others

A. Knowledge and Wisdom Begin with the Fear of the Lord

1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

9:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

21:30

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel

can avail against the LORD.

 B. To Fear the Lord is to Trust, Yield, Follow

3:5-7

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

15:33  (also 22:4a)

The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.

C. The Reward is Life and Bliss

10:27

The fear of the LORD prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be short.

14:26-27

In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,

and his children will have a refuge.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,

that one may turn away from the snares of death.

15:16

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure and trouble with it.

19:23

The fear of the LORD leads to life,

and whoever has it rests satisfied;

he will not be visited by harm.

22:4

The reward for humility and fear of the LORD

is riches and honor and life.

23:17-18

Let not your heart envy sinners,

but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.

Surely there is a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

28:14

Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always,

but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

29:25

The fear of man lays a snare,

but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

D. I Will Know How to Treat Others

8:13

The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

and perverted speech I hate.

16:6

By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.

24:21

My son, fear the LORD and the king,

and do not join with those who do otherwise,

28:5

Evil men do not understand justice,

but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.