Job 28:28 And to man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. The many mistakes into which men fall in passing through life, arise from false views of our present state. This life is frequently considered as a separate and independent state of things, as if it were entirely unconnected With the future. Hence arise innumerable errors respecting the nature of true wisdom. Scripture rectifies our mistakes. It answers the question, What is wisdom? Real religion is wisdom. View it. I. IN ITS INWARD PRINCIPLE. "The fear of the Lord." Not the fear that is excited by the apprehension of evil. Not slavish but filial fear. The reverence of a dutiful child. It is ever accompanied by love, joy, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. II. IN ITS VISIBLE FRUITS. "Departure from evil." By evil is here meant sin — every desire, and word, and action which we have reason to believe is displeasing to Almighty God. The Scriptures uniformly represent the renouncing of sin as a necessary and certain effect of the fear of God. Are we to understand that those who possess this principle, uniformly and constantly depart from all evil; so that they are entirely free from sin, and never at any time fall by the force of temptation? The state of perfect purity and absolute conformity to the will of God is never fully attained on this side the grave. Still there is a great and wide difference between the characters of those who fear God and of those who fear Him not. III. IN ITS EXCELLENT CHARACTER. To fear the Lord is wisdom; to depart from evil is "understanding." True wisdom is only to be found in such principles and such conduct as will lead to true happiness. The question there is, Wherein consists true happiness? Ask the religious man where he has found it. (J. S. Pratt.) Parallel Verses KJV: And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. |
    |