Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. I. RELIGIOUSNESS, OR A REVERENT FEAR OF GOD, IS THE BEST WISDOM. Because it brings a man to acquaintance with God. It teaches us how to converse with God rightly by true worship and obedience, and how to come to live with God for ever. II. THINGS OF GREATEST WORTH SHOULD BE OF GREATEST ACCOUNT WITH US. The affections should ever follow the judgment well informed. III. IRRELIGIOUS PERSONS ARE IN GOD'S ACCOUNT THE FOOLS OF THE WORLD. They want God's fear, as natural fools want wisdom. IV. NONE DESPISE HEAVENLY WISDOM BUT SUCH AS KNOW NOT THE VALUE OF IT. The excellency of it is so great, that it would allure men to look after it, had they spiritual eyes to see it. Knowledge hath no enemy but an ignorant man. V. THEY THAT SLIGHT THE MEANS OF KNOWLEDGE SLIGHT KNOWLEDGE ITSELF. We account so in outward things. We ask sick men refusing physic if they make no account of their lives. Neglect of the means of grace is a real slighting of wisdom. (Francis Taylor.) Parallel Verses KJV: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.WEB: The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. |
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