Proverbs 1:7. The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the (principal) beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and understanding.
It was a stormy night, with strong winds and plenty rain! But the earth is cleansed now, and the sun is striving against ominous dark clouds to come out and light our world, just like we believers are expected to light this dark, evil world in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour!
And since the Lord has granted us the amazing privilege of seeing another beautiful day in His wonderful universe, let us keep the promise we made yesterday to continue looking at the second part of that marvellous verse of scripture we couldn’t finish because of time and space restraints. It says: ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the (principal) beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and understanding.’ (Prov. 1:7)
Oh friends, what a powerful and true scripture that is! Now yesterday we learned that the ‘The fear of the Lord means submission to the Lord and His revelation.’ And that ‘The beginning does not mean that ‘the fear of the Lord’ is left behind in the course of acquiring wisdom, but that it is the controlling principle of wisdom.’
Therefore, to keep on acquiring wisdom throughout out earthly lives, ‘we must always have the reverence of God blossoming in our souls, bodies and spirits, for without it, true wisdom is not obtainable, no matter how hard we try.’ And remember that we’re talking about the wisdom that comes from God, the true source of it all, not what the world considers wisdom.
Awright! ‘So, now that we have some understanding of true wisdom and understanding, (smile)’ let’s turn to the second part of our Bit – ‘but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ Now that, unfortunately, is also a glaring truth! And Cousin Sol talks about it in Proverbs 9, where he compares invitations from Wisdom and Folly, the latter being showed as the invitation of an adulterous woman.
Wisdom says: ‘Whoso is simple (naïve), let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth (lacks) understanding, she saith to him, Come eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled (mixed). Forsake the foolish (foolishness), and live; and go in the way of understanding. He that reproveth (rebukes) a scorner (scoffer) getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot (only harms himself). Reprove not a scorner (scoffer), lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will LOVE thee.’ (Prov. 9:4-8)
Jesus also alluded to those last two verses when He spoke about judging in the Sermon on the Mount. ‘Give that not which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your peals before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you (tear you apart).’ (Matt. 7:6)
In other words, be careful of ‘those who have deliberately rejected the message of truth.’ Like the foolish woman on the other side of the coin who sits at her door in the high places of the city and invites passersby into her den of iniquity. (Prov. 9:13-15) Cousin Sol then says: Whoso is simple (naïve), let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.’ (Prov. 9:16-17)
And how many of us have fallen for that line eh, much to our chagrin. For as Cousin Sol so wisely ends. ‘But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.’ (Prov. 9:18) Oh my brethren, that’s where we usually end up when we don’t listen to wisdom.
And Cousin Sol reinforces his argument with these verses on the side of wisdom. ‘Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy (One) is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased (years of life will be added to you).’ (Prov. 9:9-11)
So, we have two invitations: one representing the offer to the wise man and the other to the mocker or scoffer. Now, how do they differ, and how do we decide which one to choose? The scholars tell us, that ‘ The response to these two invitations can be that of the scoffer or mocker (vs. 7-8), or that of the wise man (vs. 9-11). To listen to Wisdom is to live (vs.6), or to gain abundant life; to listen to Folly is to die (vs.18), or tragically miss out on what life is all about. The father has properly taught the son. It is now the son’s decision as to whom to follow. One way leads to life, the other to death.’
We certainly can’t argue with that conclusion because it’s gospel truth. And being human on this sinful earth, each of us has been personally acquainted with, or seen the benefits of true wisdom and the disadvantages of folly, but it is still our decision as to which path we choose. And believe me, the sooner we choose the path of wisdom, that’s living for Jesus, the sooner our lives will improve; the sooner we will be able to have true joy and peace in our souls despite the ‘sufferation’ currently happening in our world.
And for those of us who have already made the wise decision to live for Jesus, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) what we call our Thursday Blessings, blessings that have been generously bestowed on us to do Christ’s earthly work. Altogether now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
In return for all those wonderful blessings, it now behooves us to go out and share them just as generously with others, as the Lord shared them with us. Much LOVE!
…when it comes to living wisely or foolishly…it’s clear sailing…since the first offers eternal life…and the second eternal death…
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