The Beginning

(Pro 1:7 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

As I begin to read Proverbs again I come with some baggage.  In Proverbs, Psalms and the rest of the Old Testament there is constant reference to the law and our attitude towards the law.  I have serious discussions with people who get focused on the 613 laws of the Old Testament and how they are impossible to keep.  I won’t go into the artificial number of 613 at this point or on this blog.  The point that we must deal with is that God has certain standards and behaviors that He expects of us.  Even die-hard, five point Calvinists are guilty of living by this higher standard.

What I want to try to do this month is focus on the two sides in this plan of salvation.  This is the first verse in Proverbs that brings up the two sides.  This month I will try to remember to look for those differences.  Here we have those who “fear” (3374) the Lord as opposed to those who are called “fools” (191).  The first six verses point out the benefits of fearing the Lord, which means listening and following His direction.  The others are fools.

So?  Start the month by asking yourself if you are a God fearer or a fool.