Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..."

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7).

Question:

I do not understand why the Bible contains several passages encouraging us to fear God, if God is all good. Please explain what is meant by having fear of the Lord. Thank you!

Comment:

At one time the Unity center in Chicago was very near the fundamentalist Moody Bible Institute, and this verse was carved over their main door. It was very intimidating. It begins to become clearer—and less intimidating—if we understand that the word translated as “fear” has a meaning in Hebrew that is really closer to “awe.” It isn't a fear that God may turn out to be a bad guy who will hurt us. It's the awareness of the awesome Power that God truly is. It's the feeling deliberately evoked in us through massive churches and cathedrals, such as Notre Dame in Paris. We're meant to feel insignificant before the infinite Power of God. That's still a long way from the intimate, loving relationship with God Jesus experienced, described and calls us to find for ourselves. But it's softer and more positive, I think, than simple “fear.” It is entirely proper to be in awe of the Lord—especially as we come to understand the Lord as the Christ Presence of God that is our own true identity. And it is, indeed, foolish to turn away from wisdom and instruction—to refuse to learn more about this Power within us, and how it can be expressed to transform our lives and, indeed, the entire world.

  Blessings!

Rev. Ed