We have studied the fear of the Lord numerous times, and yet there is always more to learn.  Today, we are going to see the the fear of the Lord is the “beginning.”  From there we gain understanding if we follow what wisdom tells us to do.

Ps 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  When you fear God you will seek to know where God stands on a matter before you decide what to do.  That’s why the fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom.  That’s where you start!   One preacher said that there are five stages to sin.  The first is presentation, when the temptation is presented.  The second is illumination, when you see what God says about it.  This is the stage, when you fear God, where you seek his wisdom.  The other three stages are, debate, decision, and action.  You sin at the debate stage; there should be no question what you are going to do after you get God’s view on what’s being presented.  Wisdom obtained through the fear of the Lord leads you to good understanding in the keeping of his commands.  You don’t forget them as you go on; you live in them.  

The way to respond to God’s commands.  Deut 5:1 Hear them, Learn them, Keep them, and Do them.  You learn them by following Deut 6:7.  You keep by following Deut 6:6, 8-9.

In Deut 6:2-3, you fear the Lord to keep his commandments and observe to do them.  The benefits for Israel: It will be well with thee and you will increase mightily.  The basis of Christian growth for new converts then is the fear of the Lord.  You increase mightily by the fear of God.

Job 28:28 the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

The fear of the Lord extends beyond the beginning to continually guide you.  And the fear of the Lord shows you there will be enforcement, chastisement, judgment and consequences if you don’t depart from evil.  Mercy after Calvary should not diminish the fear of God.  Therefore, when presented with evil, you depart from it in the fear of the Lord before there is any action on God’s part against you.  If you decide not to depart from evil, you know God’s judgment is coming; you just don’t know how or when.  You don’t get away with anything.

Prov 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

At this stage, you really get to know God.  You understand what he says, how he thinks, how he views you and your life, what he is doing for you, etc.  You get to know him.  Frankly, you become so aware of God’s presence in your life that your full attention is given to his provision, protection, mercy, joy, love, goodness, strength, power, glory, and so forth that you want to please him and do his will.  

Ps 112:1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord.  You are blessed because God works continually within his perfect law of liberty [Jas 1:25].  Within God’s commands are the blessings of God [Deut 6:18 and thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee].  Your trouble starts when you are outside of or against his law.  His fill blessings are within his law and are so much better than anything the world offers.

Conclusion:  So, fear the Lord.  You will receive God’s wisdom.  And from that you will have the understanding to do his commandments, to depart from evil, and to know God.