Trygve preaches on the fear of the Lord and how that leads to true wisdom.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
I. Compass
I want to ask everyone to do something. I want to invite you to take a breath. Breathe deep and exhale. Let’s do that three times. Pause for a moment of silence.
It’s a good time for us to pause and take a breath. The semester is launched, we are through all the new beginnings, and we are now settling into our routines. The beginnings are frenetic and exciting. But as you turn now to begin a long obedience in the same direction, it’s wise to slow down and to consider now where you are going. When you are traveling on a journey, it’s wise to have some direction – like a compass. A compass can help orient you to travel in the right direction; a compass can help you not get lost; a compass can help you get to where you want to go.
II. Proverbs
The good news is that we have a compass. The Bible is a compass. But where do we go and read it? To help us on our way this year, I want to offer to you the book of Proverbs. It’s a needle that is always pointing to true North. Proverbs are sayings that are strung together like pearls on a string. Individually they are valuable, but all together they adorn the flesh. Proverbs is part of what is called Wisdom Literature – along with the Song of Solomon, Job, Psalms, and the book of Ecclesiastes.
Wisdom literature is good for all people, at all times, and in all places. It’s practically focused – and perfect for helping us to navigate the pressures and temptations of life. Mrs. Miller, my 3rd grace Sunday school teacher, always said there are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs, one chapter for every day of the month. For years that was a devotional practice. I read a chapter a day. Just reading them was an encouragement, a guide, a bumper – especially when I was navigating the social and physical pressures of being a young adult.
This year in chapel we are going to be listening to Proverbs. Each week we will have a proverb for us to chew on. We’ll offer a single verse to consider. Proverbs say a lot with few words. Proverbs are small punches that can knock some common sense into our lives. They are pithy sentences inviting us to consider a consequential life. For example, this Proverb 1:7:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
III. Holy Fear
I think the entire book of Proverbs – all 31 chapters, all 915 verses – can be caught up in this one verse. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
As we begin, we should consider how to begin this academic year – especially in a place whose mission is set aside to acquire knowledge and wisdom. Proverbs says something so clear its meaning cannot be questioned. Knowledge begins with God. God is the beginning because God is also the end. If we want to acquire true knowledge – knowledge that will lead to a life of wisdom – then we need to begin with God.
But how do we approach this God? Proverbs says with fear. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Holy fear! We don’t just begin with God, we begin with a fear of God!
What does this mean? When I was a kid I would hear this kind of talk and it created some cognitive dissonance. What should you fear? I fear heights. I fear snakes. I fear a life without friends. But God? Why should I fear God? Isn’t God love? Isn’t God for me? What does it mean to fear God?
Growing up I lived on an Island in the Pacific Northwest. Often we would get incredible wind storms coming off the Pacific. I remember the wind would howl and you could see the glass moving back and forth like a pulse. At any moment, it felt like the pressure was too great. It was terrifying. Is God like that? Is God like Irma and Harvey?
I don’t think this is what Proverbs is saying. I don’t think that God is a cosmic storm – that God is out to get you – to destroy your life. I do think Proverbs is saying something fundamental: that we are not God! Proverbs is saying that God is living and he is awesome – in the proper sense that awesome is meant to be used! God is all power and the source of all things. We trifle with God at our own peril. As Annie Dillard writes,“the sleeping God may awake and take offense, or the waking God may draw us out to where we can never return.”
The fear of God is wonder. The fear of God is awe. The fear of God is being overwhelmed by the grandeur of a reality so beautiful you have to look away for fear of blushing!
When we stop fearing God, we stop paying attention. When we stop paying attention, we stop listening and looking – and then we stop obeying for we have nothing to obey other than our own desires and appetites. When this happens we become a fool! And fools despise God… they despise wisdom and instruction.
IV. Fools
The fear of the Lord is a humility that whispers to us, “Don’t despise instruction. Be teachable. Be coachable.” To become wise means we first have to be a student. Good students are eager: they listen, they are curious, they work hard, and they admit when they don’t know something.
Those who are not willing to be this kind of student are called fools. You know what the word “sophomore” means? Sophomore. Likely derived from folk use of two Greek terms, sophos, meaning “wise,” and moros, meaning “foolish, dull.” Sophomore originally probably meant a “wise moron”!
Now, I don’t think sophomores have to do with age or what year you are in school. I have met sophomores – wise morons – who are 40, 50, 60 years of age. Age does not necessarily guarantee wisdom. I’ve met 18, 19, 20 years-olds who have wisdom beyond their years.
Because the way you get wisdom is to begin with the fear of the Lord. Don’t be a fool. Don’t avoid God.
V. Listen
The wisdom of Proverbs is saying this: God is real. Listen to what he has to say because God does not want to smite you – God wants to love you! I’m a Dad. I have a son and a daughter. I can tell you there is nothing I wouldn’t do for them within my power to help them and bless them! But sometimes they don’t listen to me!
Proverbs is saying, “Listen to God! Trust this wisdom and it will lead you to the good life.” It’s a life where your conscience is free from guilt. It’s a life where you know right from wrong. It’s a life where your integrity becomes the gift you give yourself.
It’s the beginning of the year. But don’t get lost as you begin the journey. Take with you this compass. Let it guide you and – if you let it – you’ll find yourself exploring the wide-open country of salvation!
Amen.