The Fear of YAHVEH (the LORD) Is the Beginning of Wisdom
- Proverbs 9:10 -
“The fear of YAHveh (the LORD) is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding””
Let us look at some key verses from the book of Revelation, “And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, ‘Fear YAHveh (GOD), and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters’” (Revelation 14:6-7).
Fear YAHveh at the close of the age, as judgments are beginning to make themselves known, and as we are beginning to sense that the judgments are not only at the door, but it is as if they have crossed the threshold and are in the door. The eternal gospel has been proclaimed, but what has come forth has fallen short of the glory of YAHveh (GOD) in many cases.
Fearing almighty YAHveh is something that belongs to Him, and we are specifically talking about what the thief Satan has stolen from Him. The Scriptures say that, “the fear of YAHveh is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). “…you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is YAHveh (the LORD) of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread” (Isaiah 8:12-13).
A great tribulation is coming; “all hands will fall limp” (Isaiah 13:7), they will cry out to the hills, “Fall on us!” (Hosea 10:8); they will fear and dread what is coming on the face of the earth. There is an epidemic of fear and terror in the world, and it will grow stronger and stronger. May He bundle up all of our fears that have nothing to do with Him, and may we have reverential awe and fear of the Holy One only.
With the intensities of the judgments that are coming and the epidemics of terror and fear they will bring, YAHveh (the LORD) reminds us that there is peace when we fear Him alone. “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation” (Psalm 91:14-16). YAHveh is saying that when judgments come, “tell the righteous (those who do His will) it will be well with them” (Isaiah 3:10). He will hide them under the shadow of His wings, because they fear Him.
“Who understands the power of Your anger And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?” (Psalm 90:11). “A horrible and shocking thing has happened (robbing YAHveh of the glory that is His due)…” (Jeremiah 5:30), “my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols” (Jeremiah 2:11). The Holy King says it; fear is due to Him, it is reverential awe. He is holy, and He will judge us in sovereignty according to His righteousness. We have YAHshua’s (Jesus’s) redeeming blood to cleanse us when He points out and convicts us of our sins, weaknesses and shortcomings. Only YAHshua can set us free, He gives us power to do good rather than evil.
YAHveh is not a man who lies when He says to fear Him and gain wisdom so that you might do His will and not be judged for unrighteousness. Give Him His due! The fear of YAHveh will keep you from defaming and dishonoring Him. It will keep you as an instrument of righteousness through which He is glorified.
May the fear of YAHveh be given to us in its fullest measure. “Teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). “Who will not fear, O YAHveh, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; for all the nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed” (Revelation 15:4). Those who are walking in YAHveh’s ways when judgments fall will be able to exalt their righteous King who has revealed His righteousness through judgment on the wicked.
Prayer: May “the fear of YAHveh (the LORD)…the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10)—which is greater in value than any earthly treasures be what I seek after O YAHveh my God and Redeemer. May I along with the righteous redeemed lovingly fear You and glorify Your name in word and deed.
