Fgb Fall 02 Article #2

The Beginning of Wisdom
Charles Bridges

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”—Proverbs 1:7

What is this fear of the Lord? It is that affectionate reverence, by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father's law. His wrath is so bitter, and his love so sweet: that hence springs an earnest desire to please him, and because of the danger of coming short from his own weakness and temptations—a holy watchfulness and fear, “that he might not sin against him.” (Heb 12:28, 29.) This enters into every exercise of the mind, every object of life. (Chap. 23:17.) The oldest proficient in the Divine school seeks a more complete moulding into its spirit. The godly parent trains up his family under its influence. (Gen 18:19; Eph 6:4.) The Christian scholar honours it as the beginning, the head, of all his knowledge; at once sanctifying its end, and preserving him from its most subtle temptations.

Why then do multitudes around us despise wisdom and instruction? Because the beginning of wisdom — “the fear of God — is not before their eyes.” (Psa 36:1.) They know not its value. They scorn its obligation. Wise they may be in their own sight. But surely God here gives them their right name. For fools they must be, to despise such a blessing (Jer 8:9); to rush into wilful ruin (Verses 22, 24-32. Comp. 1Sa 2:25; 1Ki 12:13; Jer 36:22-32); to treasure up work for despairing repentance. (Chap. 5:12; 13; 29:1.) Good Lord! May thy childlike fear be my wisdom, my security, my happiness!

—Taken from: Proverbs by Charles Bridges

Charles Bridges: (1794-1869) a leader of the Evangelical party in the Church of England. Best known for The Christian Ministry, Proverbs, and Psalm 119.