The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7 ESV)

Human knowledge

Human knowledge, apart from God, is flawed. The Bible refers to it as worthless because it isn’t tempered by love (1 Cor. 13:2). The knowledge man possesses tends to make one proud. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1). Therefore, the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, without seeking God, is foolishness.

 “Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom . . . but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief” (Eccles. 1:17-18).

Worldly knowledge is a false knowledge which is opposed to the truth.

“Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith” (1 Tim. 6:20-21).

Human knowledge is opposed to God’s knowledge and therefore is no knowledge at all; rather, it is foolishness.

God’s knowledge

GOD’s knowledge is very different than human knowledge. It is infinite and absolute.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Rom. 11:33)

God’s vast knowledge and creative power are on display continually and are clearly seen in what He has created.

 “Night after night [the skies] display knowledge.” (Psalm 19:2)

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Rom. 1:19-20)

All the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Jesus Christ

“that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2-3)

Therefore

Because knowledge is God’s to give, those who reverence Him will receive it.

 “For the Lord gives wisdom; From his mouth come knowledge and understanding;” (Prov. 2:6)