Proverbs 9:10-12 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shall be wise for thyself: but if thou scorn, thou alone shall bear it.
‘The fear of the LORD’ – to have a whole reverence for God. We are warned to be in the fear of God all day long (23:17-18). The fear of the LORD is: to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth (8:13); the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding (9:10); prolonged days, whereas the years of the wicked shall be shortened (10:27); there is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge (14:26); it is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death (14:27); is the instruction of wisdom (15:33); men depart from evil (16:6); it tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil (19:23); by humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life (22:4).
‘For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.’ Vice shortens life; righteousness has the promise of long life (Ps. 91:1-16).
‘If thou be wise, thou shall be wise for thyself.’ A wise man may profit himself, but not God; the same was true of a righteous man (Job 22:2-3). The sin of man cannot affect God’s plan or conduct; it only affects man’s destiny (Job 35:6).
‘But if thou scorn, thou alone shall bear it.’ Rebels seek wisdom but don’t find it because they reject God, the source of wisdom (1:7; 9:10).
Living the Word 