Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction” We come to an important concept in the book of Proverbs: the fear of the LORD . The fear of the LORD is an inclusion in the first nine chapters of Proverbs (cf. 9:10 – “ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”) which form a unit. It is also an inclusion for the entire book (cf. 31:30 – “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD , she shall be praised”). So the fear of the LORD begins and ends the first section of Proverbs as well as begins and ends the book. It is also a prominent theme within the book itself. The fear of the LORD... • is the beginning of knowledge (Prov 1:7, 29; 2:5) • is the beginning of wisdom (9:10; 15:33), • instills confidence (14:26) • makes rich (22:4). • prolongs life (10:27), • is a fountain of life (14:27), • leads to life (19:2...