Proverbs 9:10: Start at the Very Beginning

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

Fear: reverence, piety

Beginning: first principle of; starting place

Wisdom:  ethical and religious; to know

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom, including obedience

Holy One: divine name

Understand: perceive, give heed to, distinguish, consider with attention

I enjoy Musicals, and one of my favorites is "Sound of Music." When 

Fräulein Maria teaches the von Trapp children to sing, she "starts at the very beginning." 

Let's start at the very beginning

A very good place to start

When you read you begin with A-B-C

When you sing you begin with do-re-mi

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/s/thesoundofmusiclyrics/do-re-milyrics.html

When seeking wisdom, one too must start at the very beginning—and that is fearing God. Why is that beginning of wisdom? 

I used a new kitchen appliance last night—a pie maker. A few days ago, I read the recipes so that I could buy what I needed. When I started making the pies last night, I carefully read the instructions as I assembled the pies. I set the timer and waited. When I opened the lid, I was a bit surprised that the edges of the pies were quite well done. 

I checked the instruction booklet, and found it recommend that I use a different pie crust for the top than the bottom. However, that instruction was listed AFTER the instructions on how to cook the pies. If they had included that bit of information AT THE BEGINNING, it would have been very helpful! The pies were still edible, just the edges were a bit crunchy. 

Start at the beginning. If you really want to learn something new, starting at the very beginning is vital in gathering all the information necessary. Missing a key step can change the outcome. 

Back to our question, "Why is fearing God the beginning of wisdom?" Because He is the source of wisdom. He is the omnipotent, all-knowing One. As the source of wisdom: He is the One who understands the past, present, and future. He is the One who created everything, so He understand it all. He is the One who designed the World and all that is in it.

What better place to seek answers and knowledge than from the One who created us and the World in which we live. 

Start at the very beginning. Wisdom is available. Yet, we can't go it on our own. We need the guidance and understanding that only God can provide. Wisdom is attainable, if we go to the source. Fearing God begins with a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when my heart and mindset is focused on fearing and honoring God, then I'll want to listen and obey His wisdom. 

Start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!

Proverbs 8:22-31: Been There, Done That

Read Proverbs 8:22-31 here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+8%3A22-31&version=NKJV

vs. 22
Possessed: created, own, attain
Way: mode of action
Of old: from time of, since

vs. 23
Established: I was installed
Everlasting: long duration, antiquity, futurity

vs. 30
Delight: pleasure, enjoyment
Rejoice: to laugh (in pleasure); by implication, to play, laugh, make merry

Experience: The process or fact of personally observing, encountering, or undergoing something. Philosophy. the totality of the cognitions given by perception; all thatis perceived, understood, and remembered.

To have experience of; meet with; undergo; feel.

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/experience?s=t)

I've seen it all. I was there when..... I've been there, done that. I saw what happened when.... I saw first hand..... each can be said of Wisdom. 

Wisdom was with God before the creation of the Earth. Wisdom saw what God created. Wisdom was in the company of God. Wisdom knows and has experience. 

Been there, done that. Know the results. 

When facing an unknown situation, what do we do? Usually search for some knowledge of someone who has been in that situation and knows what happens. 

When we take a trip, we use GPS, or google maps. We want to know how to get to our destination. 

When we are going to a new place, we google it to learn about what it will be like, what to expect. 

When we ...... the list goes on. We want to connect with someone who has been there, done that. 

Exactly what Wisdom is describing in Proverbs 8:22-31. Wisdom was there before God created the Earth. Wisdom saw God create the earth and everything in it. Wisdom has been around since BEFORE the beginning. Wisdom has been there, done that. Wisdom has knowledge and experience of being in the very presence of God. Wisdom has seen what happens when people choose knowledge and obedience to God, AND when people ignore Wisdom. 

When I am facing a situation, I want to discuss it with someone who has been there, done that. And who better to seek knowledge and instruction from—than Wisdom! With a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, I'll no only want to seek Wisdom, but I'll listen and obey what Wisdom tells me. Wisdom has been there, done that—and that is experience which I want on my side!

Proverbs 1:7: Knowing with Action

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV)

Fear: fear of God, reverence, piety

Beginning: first phase, step, or element in course of events

Knowledge: in highest sense, knowledge of God (including obedience)

Fools: (always morally bad), who despises wisdom & discipline

Despise: despise, show despite toward (Wisdom Literature & poetry) 

Wisdom: ethical and religious

Instruction:  discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction

If wisdom is the goal, the only way to achieve it, is to START at the BEGINNING—the very first step is to FEAR GOD. Having a reverence for who God is, what He can do, and what He does do—is the foundation on which to build wisdom. 

Why is it so important to begin with the "fear of God"? Because God is the source of all wisdom. He is all-knowing, omniscient. God is the standard by which everything is judged. Morally, Spiritually, and Ethically. 

Notice that this knowledge is not just "head knowledge", but INCLUDES obedience! That is key. Just because you KNOW may make you seem smart, but unless there is obedience that follows you are actually a fool. For knowing and knowing with action are two different things. Knowing that the stove it hot is smart. NOT touching the stove, because you KNOW the stove is hot, is wisdom. 

Can one have wisdom and still be a fool? I think, the answer is "yes". One day I may have a reverence for God and act in obedience to His will and wisdom, but the next day, sadly, I may decide to do it "Rhonda's way". And each time I do, I am acting as a fool. 

But thankfully, God is gracious and merciful and allows forgives me of my foolishness and begins to teach me again so that I can grow in wisdom. 

Having a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG) is NOT done by just saying that I fear God. Fearing God must translate into obedience.  Wisdom is knowing with action—and the first action is Fearing God!