The Theme of Proverbs - Troy Postlethwait

Let’s take a look at Proverbs 1:7 together, where Solomon sets the theme for his book: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” At the start, Solomon reminds us that real wisdom-the kind that gives us true understanding and direction-begins with reverent awe of God. This is not about dread or terror, though there’s a place for that when we recognize God’s absolute holiness and justice. Instead, it’s about an awe that leads us to respect, trust, and willingly submit to Him.
This “fear” is the foundation, a reverence that fills us with a desire to honor God in all we do. It’s what Moses encouraged in the Israelites after God’s awe-inspiring revelation on Mount Sinai, and it’s what Jesus taught when He said, “Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” In other words, our fear should never be directed at people or worldly threats but a deep, respectful fear of the Lord-a fear that draws us to love and obey Him.
Throughout Proverbs, Solomon shows us that this fear of the Lord brings rich blessings. It fills us with wisdom, lengthens our lives, strengthens our confidence, and helps us to turn from evil. When we walk in this fear, we align ourselves with God’s wisdom, allowing it to guide and protect us. It’s what the early church understood, as Acts 9:31 tells us, when they “walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” This holy fear led them to grow, to find peace, and to multiply in number.
But there’s a warning here: those who disregard God’s wisdom-who mock it or choose their way-are, as Solomon puts it, fools. The “fool” in Proverbs is the one who dismisses wisdom and rejects instruction, refusing to listen to guidance from others, from parents, or God Himself. Proverbs describe this fool as a person marked by moral folly who often ends up in defeat and despair because they ignored the counsel they needed to thrive.
Christians are called to pursue wisdom by cultivating a holy fear of the Lord. This fear keeps us humble, teaches us to hate evil, and fills us with a longing to obey God’s will. As Paul writes, it inspires repentance when we fall and motivates us to keep working out our salvation “with fear and trembling.”
So, ask yourself: do you truly fear the Lord? Are you letting that fear guide you, keep you on the path of wisdom, and protect you from foolish choices? Peter reminds us that, through this knowledge, God has given us “great and precious promises.” These promises are for those who respect and honor Him, who seek His wisdom above all else. So let us cleanse ourselves from anything that pulls us away from this holy fear and walk in His wisdom.
The choice between wisdom and foolishness is yours. Choose wisdom-choose the fear of the Lord-and let it guide you to the life He’s calling you to.