Homilist Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. I. PIETY IS REVERENCE FOR GOD. Filial reverence is meant by "fear." Reverence implies two things, a recognition of Divine greatness, and a recognition of Divine goodness. An impression of goodness lies at the foundation of reverence, and hence, too, gratitude, love, adoration enter into this reverence. II. PIETY IS INITIATORY TO KNOWLEDGE. It is the beginning of it. But what knowledge? Not mere intellectual knowledge. Many an impious man knows the circle of the sciences. The devil is intelligent. It is spiritual knowledge — spiritual knowledge of self, the universe, Christ, and God. True reverence for God is essential to this knowledge. Religious reverence is the root of the tree of all spiritual science. He knows nothing rightly who does not know God experimentally. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.WEB: The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. |
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