SEPTEMBER 19, 2026
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
As we shared in a previous devotion, the Hebrew word translated as “fear” is יראה yirah which, depending on how it is used, can mean to dread something or someone or, more positively, to show reverence. When it comes to the Almighty, either of these applications could apply; someone who despises wisdom and instruction should be in dread of Him considering that He can, at any time of His choosing, dispense judgment. For those who love and serve Him, they fear Him out of reverence, awe and respect. Yes, we realize He has the authority to cast both body and soul into hell, but we are keenly aware that He desires that all should come to repentance and not be separated from His Presence.
So, when it comes to what “the fear of the Lord” actually means and what it looks like, I would suggest it depends on how we choose to see the Almighty. Is He sovereign in our lives or does He represent opposition to our will and desire? Interestingly enough, the word יראה yirah is related to the root word ראה ra’ah which means “to see.” The prophet Isaiah recorded a vision in which he “saw the Lord … high and lifted up” (Isaiah 6:1). Perceiving the Lord as majestic and all powerful, his response was to say of himself, “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). In short, he was humbled by the experience. He saw the Lord and immediately exhibited reverence for the Most High. So, unless a person is able to “see” that the Lord is sovereign, it is unlikely that they will acknowledge His greatness, nor will they fear Him as they should.
There is one other related word that merits our attention and that is the root word ירה yarah. This word means “to direct, inform and instruct,” or even better, “to teach.” It is the root from which is derived the term תורה torah, (commonly translated as Law). The point is this: those who are able to “see” that God is sovereign and, therefore, should be feared, will also realize that He is worthy of our devotion. Consequently, we choose to obey His instructions. Furthermore, because we desire to avoid the pitfalls that so easily entice the wicked, we follow His direction and, in so doing, acquire the wisdom that comes from on High. Possessing an appropriate fear of the Lord is the beginning of so many things, all of which lead us into the paths of righteousness and position us to receive untold blessings from above.