Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction,

To perceive the words of understanding,

To receive the instruction of wisdom,

Justice, judgment, and equity;

To give prudence to the simple,

To the young man knowledge and discretion—

A wise man will hear and increase learning,

And a man of understanding will [b]attain wise counsel,

To understand a proverb and an enigma,

The words of the wise and their riddles.

Proverbs 1:1-6

1. Things that we desire in life

a. Wisdom

b. Instruction

c. Perception

d. Understanding

2. These are good things, and it is natural to desire them in life

THE PRIORITY OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

1. “The fear of the LORD”

a. Described as the beginning of knowledge

b. To indicate that

i. It is right at the top in terms of importance

ii. It is to be prioritised above all things

2. How Solomon understood the priority of the fear of the LORD

a. God gave him great wisdom and understanding   (1 Kings 3:12, 4:29)

b. He was wiser than all men, and became renowned for his wisdom   (1 Kings 4:30-34)

c. But when he reflected on life at the end of the day

i. He realised that his wisdom was grasping for the wind   (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18)

ii. His conclusion – to fear God and keep His commandments is man’s all   (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

REMEMBERING WHAT WE LEARNED LAST WEEK

My son, if you receive my words,

And treasure my commands within you,

So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding;

Yes, if you cry out for discernment,

And lift up your voice for understanding,

If you seek her as silver,

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,

And find the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;

He guards the paths of justice,

And preserves the way of His saints.

Then you will understand righteousness and justice,

Equity and every good path.

Proverbs 2:1-9

1. The prerequisites to find the fear of the Lord

a. Receive words of wisdom and treasure the commands

b. Incline our ear to wisdom and apply our heart to understanding

c. Cry out for discernment and lift up our voice for understanding

d. Seek her as silver and search for her as hidden treasure

2. God’s prerogative to give

a. The fear of the Lord

b. The knowledge of God

THE PRODUCT OF BLESSINGS FROM GOD

1. The blessing of riches and honour

Riches and honour are with me,

Enduring riches and righteousness.

Proverbs 8:18

2. The blessing of life and God’s favour

Blessed is the man who listens to me,

Watching daily at my gates,

Waiting at the posts of my doors.

For whoever finds me finds life,

And obtains favour from the LORD

Proverbs 8:34-35

3. The blessing of days multiplied

For by me your days will be multiplied,

And years of life will be added to you.

Proverbs 9:11

THE CONFIRMATION

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

1. 2 very similar statements

a. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge”   (Proverbs 1:7)

b. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”    (Proverbs 9:10)

2. Proverbs 9:10 was stated to confirm Proverbs 1:7

a. This statement has been proven in life

b. It is indeed a statement of truth

GREATER COMPREHENSION OF GOD

… And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10b

1. “The Holy One” – a beautiful description of God

a. His sacredness

b. His majesty

c. His purity

2. The fear of the LORD helps us comprehend God in His holiness

3. It opens up a whole new vista of understanding!

a. Deeper insights and perspectives regarding God

b. Greater clarity of who we truly are before God

c. Greater understanding of how to order our life in response

COMPARISON – ISAIAH’S COMPREHENSION OF GOD AS “THE HOLY ONE”

1. At a personal level

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!”

And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

So I said:
“Woe is me, for I am [a]undone!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King,
The LORD of hosts.”

Isaiah 6:1-5

a. Isaiah had already been serving God prior to this incident

b. But when a special vision of God was given to Isaiah

i. There was a powerful realisation of God’s holiness

ii. There was a fresh reverence for God in light of His holiness

c. There came a newfound understanding

i. He became deeply conscious of his unclean lips before God

ii. His eyes had seen the King, the LORD of hosts in new light

iii. He understood His need for cleansing to serve the Lord well

2. As a prophet proclaiming God’s word to Israel

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,

And He who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the LORD your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I gave Egypt for your ransom,

Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Isaiah 43:1-3

a. “The Holy One of Israel”

Frequently mentioned when Isaiah gave God’s prophetic word to Israel

b. Used to bring encouragement and assurance

i. When God says He would do something, He would definitely do it

ii. He will never renege on His word because He is holy!

THE CHALLENGE FOR US

1. Let us appreciate the fear of the LORD

a. That it is to be prioritised above all things

b. That it is of greatest importance in life

2. Let us discover the fear of the Lord in a real and personal way

a. Confirmation that this is truly the beginning of wisdom

b. Comprehension of God in greater depth

3. Let us practise the fear the Lord