The Foundation of Wisdom
The Right Path
Thank you for taking the time to reflect with me on the foundation of wisdom. My hope is that this devotion will encourage and equip you to walk in wisdom, grounded in the fear of the Lord, as we journey together in understanding God’s truth.
The Starting Point of All Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
This verse isn’t simply a wise saying among many in the book of Proverbs. It’s the foundation upon which all true wisdom rests. The same sentiment is echoed in Psalm 111:10, which states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.”
When we speak of the fear of the Lord, we’re talking about more than mere respect or reverence. It includes awe at his holiness, a recognition of his sovereignty, and yes, even a trembling before the reality that he is the Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25). This fear isn’t a recoiling terror but the appropriate response of creatures before their Creator, of sinners before a holy God. It’s the recognition that he alone holds wisdom and that apart from him, we have no understanding.
C.S. Lewis captured this well in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when Susan asked if Aslan, the great lion, was safe. Mr. Beaver replied, “Safe? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” The fear of the Lord begins with recognizing both his power and his goodness.
A Covenant Relationship
Yet the fear of the Lord isn’t just a detached acknowledgment of God’s greatness – it’s also a defining characteristic of our covenantal relationship with him. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel was repeatedly called to fear the Lord as a sign of their faithfulness to the covenant. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 asks, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?”
Fearing God isn’t a burden but a relational response – it’s reverence shaped by love, awe deepened by commitment. To fear the Lord means to live in obedience to him, trusting that his commands are for our good. The covenant relationship isn’t a contract where we simply obey out of obligation, but a deep, binding relationship in which our obedience flows from love and trust in the One who has redeemed us. This is why Proverbs places such a high value on wisdom - it isn’t merely intellectual knowledge but a way of living that reflects our commitment to the God who’s called us his own.
Jesus reaffirms this covenantal aspect when he says in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” True wisdom begins with the right posture toward God - not as a distant figure but as our Lord and Father, who has graciously drawn us into a covenant relationship with himself.
Wisdom Is Not Neutral
A common misconception today is that wisdom and knowledge exist in a vacuum - that one can be truly wise without reference to God. But as Christian philosopher Cornelius Van Til once said, “There are no brute facts in the universe.” Everything we know stands in reference to the God who made everything. There’s no neutrality in life; we either acknowledge God’s authority or we reject it.
Proverbs presents us with two paths: the way of wisdom and the way of folly. Jesus, too, spoke of these two paths. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
To fear the Lord is to recognize that our lives aren’t our own. It’s to submit to him as the rightful King and acknowledge that true wisdom cannot be separated from him. Those who reject this truth - the fools of Proverbs - despise wisdom and instruction because they don’t want to submit to God’s rule. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1), and as a result, he walks in darkness.
More Than Knowing
To know wisdom intellectually is only the beginning. Wisdom is meant to be lived. The Hebrew word for wisdom (chokmah) conveys the idea of skill - skill in living well, in making godly choices, and in aligning one’s life with God’s purposes. The book of Proverbs, therefore, isn’t a collection of fortune-cookie platitudes; it’s God’s instruction on how to live a life that is pleasing to him.
Even Jesus himself, the very wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24), “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) If Jesus, in his humanity, grew in wisdom, how much more must we cultivate this skill in our own lives?
J.I. Packer put it this way in Knowing God: “Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God’s holiness and sovereignty … can we begin to have true wisdom.” Wisdom isn’t merely about acquiring information but about transformation - aligning our lives with God’s will and walking in his ways.
Choosing the Right Path
The fear of the Lord isn’t just the beginning of wisdom - it sustains and deepens it. Without it, our pursuit of wisdom becomes self-serving, leading to arrogance rather than godliness. When we recognize that all wisdom comes from God, we learn to trust him with every decision, from the most profound to the most mundane.
This means that our daily activities - our work, our relationships, our habits - are all opportunities to live wisely or foolishly. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” The fear of the Lord reminds us that there is no aspect of life that is neutral; everything is done either in submission to him or in defiance of him.
John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress illustrates this well. Christian, the main character, must choose between the straight and narrow way or the easier, worldly paths that lead to destruction. Time and again, he’s tempted to leave the path of wisdom, but by God’s grace, he perseveres. The same is true for us. If we don’t intentionally pursue wisdom in the fear of the Lord, we’ll be drawn away by the folly of the world. Let’s commit to pursuing wisdom with the only foundation that leads to God’s glory and our good – the fear of the Lord.
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
How would you describe the “fear of the Lord” in your own words? In what ways does this fear shape your daily decisions and attitudes?
Jesus speaks of the narrow and wide roads in Matthew 7:13-14. How do you see this contrast in your own life? What challenges make it difficult to stay on the narrow road of wisdom?
Proverbs speaks of “fools” despising wisdom and instruction. Are there areas in your life where you have resisted God’s wisdom? How can you seek to grow in humility and teachability?
Walking Points
Set aside time each day to read from Proverbs and reflect on its practical applications. Consider reading one chapter per day, corresponding to the date (e.g., Proverbs 1 on the 1st of the month, Proverbs 2 on the 2nd, etc.). Write down key insights and pray for wisdom in applying them to your life.
Surround yourself with godly mentors and fellow believers who will encourage you to walk in wisdom. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Engage in regular conversations with mature Christians who can provide biblical guidance and accountability.
Thank you for joining me today as we reflect on the foundation of wisdom. My hope is that you were encouraged and challenged to grow in wisdom by embracing the fear of the Lord. Remember, there are additional devotionals, Bible studies, and other resources that come out weekly that do not go out via email. You can discover them here: Walking Points.
If this devotion blessed you, consider sharing it with others and inviting them to subscribe as well. Let’s walk the path of wisdom together, for the glory of God!