In the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
For Learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity;
to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young–
Let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill,
to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:1-7, NRSV
Call it a beginner’s mind, a cognitive flexibility, a sense of proportion and justice. It isn’t about the accumulation of information or how rapidly and effectively such information can be processed and applied: it’s about what we know and how we know. It brings good things to the world we live in. It’s finding our footing on solid ground: we are God’s beloved creatures in this cosmos – and so are our neighbors, human or other. Wisdom is always keeping our feet firmly planted in that reality in our daily lives.
Proverbs is a collection of notes on what the good life is and how we can live it every day. It’s a collection of short pieces of advice and the praise of those who seek wisdom rather than material gain or fame for their own sake. It’s a primer in ethics, a doorway to living a worthy life. It’s our summer adventure.
And so we begin at the beginning, because all the advice that follows cannot be understood or put into true practice if we forget who we are: fragile, mortal, limited beings created by a God whose sheer presence and power would destroy us except for one precious truth – we are irrevocable and unimaginably loved. Or, in more biblical words:
The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Quick note: Fear of the Lord isn’t fear of punishment or being ashamed of ourselves; fear of the Lord is the recognition that God has created us and all things. It’s awe that moves us to life and love, not terror that scares us to death and destruction…
This is one in a series. For more information, click “Proverbial” above.
