Eternal Approach

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

This verse surprised me.

I’ve read through Proverbs many times in my life. But I’ve always thought it only said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Which it does, in fact, say in Proverbs 9.

But, the fear of the LORD also applies to knowledge. Which touches on a whole different kind of understanding.

And it occurred to me that all the hoopla that men have for the pursuit of science, is based on a false premise.

Which is, that the pursuit of knowledge, or science, is the same as the pursuit of Truth. Truth that encompasses physical reality. Or all that is true about the natural world.

A Vain Pursuit of Peace

Many presume that science is the end-all or the supreme goal of life. Or, if they pursue a purely intellectual, scientific course, they will find peace in this life.

This presumes that one might find the true meaning of life without any personal knowledge of the LORD. As if these are two totally separate things.

But, the scriptures don’t speak of such a separation. They don’t promise life or peace by following that path.

True knowledge, which includes true science, begins with the fear of the LORD!

Nevertheless, men may pursue a deep, technical understanding of this world by the fierce application of their intellects toward that goal. They may even delve into the metaphysical disciplines. Seeking to combine science and meditation in pursuit of some kind of spiritual peace.

But, such efforts are in vain unless they begin with the fear of the LORD.

The Source

However, there is no such separation, in God’s eyes, between the more ethereal ideas about wisdom and the hard, cold pursuit of reason and science. The source of both is the same. 

Without a personal relationship with Christ, a man cannot see the world as it truly is.

Regardless of his intellect, reason, or natural skills, man, with this limitation, is little more than an animal. Perceiving life without the spiritual dimension that God intended every man to know and experience. 

Learning to stumble through his life upon this earth; and even to manipulate his environment to suit his emotional and physical desires. But possessing no true understanding of the purpose for which he was Created. 

Supernatural History

The popular view of science has nothing to do with the knowledge spoken of in Proverbs. This view comes from a different source entirely. 

So, while knowledge comes in many different forms, fulfilling many good, practical purposes, it is not a purely “neutral” thing. There is a spiritual component to all that happens in this world. And to every purpose that men may embark upon. 

We live in a supernatural world. With a supernatural history. 

But when was the last time you saw a Super-Natural History Museum?

Without this spiritual insight that God gives a man who fears Him, men can do little more than rearrange the cold bones and rocks gathered in countless drawers and cabinets throughout the world. Vainly focusing their energies and imaginations toward understanding ancient historical processes that they can never prove. 

The ancient history of this world, as well as its origins, will forever remain a mystery to the man who rejects God’s revelation of ancient events. Events that no man or machine was there to observe. Events which no man can truly understand apart from the plain reading and simple belief in His word. 

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psalm 119:130)

Image by Jill White from Pixabay