Life
Proverbs 10:27 (ESV) The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
This is a typical proverb phrased with a contrast. It seems to be self explanatory, but I don’t think it’s as obvious as it first appears.
The thought that comes to mind is one of two people at the end of their lives reflecting back on how they’ve lived. The one who fears God is looking forward to an eternity in heaven, but the one who does not fear God is looking back on a life that is slipping away - not ready to let it go.
Those who fear God look forward to an eternal life with Him. But for those who do not fear God there will never be enough time.
Proverbs 14:27 (ESV) The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
This one is a little more abstract to me. What is a fountain of life, or snares of death?
As I think about it I envision that a fountain of life is like hope, and the snares of death are more like anxiety or despair.
So fearing God provides hope, and is the antidote to despair.
Proverbs 19:23 (ESV) The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
Being in awe of God is a natural part of what people were created for, so it makes sense that it gives a sense of satisfaction.
Fearing God and living for Him is so satisfying that there is no more desire to seek out satisfaction from the things of the world. And those things of the world often lead to more trouble that they’re worth anyways.
When I fear God, I can rest in Him. I know that this world is not my home. The more I place value on the things of this world, the more I am troubled, or harmed by them - first by the anxiety of pursuing them, and then by the anxiety of keeping them.
When I put myself in God’s hands I don’t have to worry about all that stuff. I receive what He gives me, and I give back what He takes back. And as for everything that happens as the result of sin or the attacks of the enemy, well, God will reconcile all that when I get to heaven because I am covered by the blood of Jesus.
Confidence
Job 4:6 (ESV) Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?
In this passage from Job, his friends are actually accusing him of being prideful. We know that Job was not being punished by God for anything, but rather God was using him as an example to satan of true faithfulness. So, even though I know that Job is being accused of pride, I am reading into this more than what they are saying on the surface.
Job’s friends did recognize that his fear of God gave him confidence, and his faithfulness to following God gave him hope. The fact that they used his confidence and hope as an accusation against him tells me that they were apparent characteristics of Job’s personality.
I recognize confidence in myself knowing that I am in God’s hands. I surrender my life to Him because I know that His kingdom is greater than anything I could receive or achieve on Earth. It’s not a prideful confidence, but a restful peace. I also feel hope that following God is the best way to live life.
I could only hope that this confidence and hope are apparent enough in my character that someone could accuse me of being prideful about them. Not that I would want to be accused of being prideful, but even worse would be to not be accused of being confident and hopeful in my relationship with God.
Proverbs 14:26 (ESV) In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
When we recognize all that God has done, and all that He is capable of doing, why would we not confidently put ourselves in His hands?
It’s like Paul says in Romans, “If God is for us, who can stand against us?”
This gets to the heart of the difference in the meanings of the word fear. If we were afraid of God, would we feel confident in Him? But, if we stand in awe of God, why would we not be confident in Him!
Fearing God - standing in awe of Him - and knowing that He loves me, gives me confidence that everything will be OK. No matter what happens, I know that I am loved by the Most High. I don’t have to worry, and I don’t have to be afraid, because no matter what happens He will bring me into His kingdom where all the cares of this world will be washed away.
Wealth
Proverbs 15:16 (ESV) Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
This proverb contrasts having little with having great treasure. It says to me that there is peace in fearing God because the contrast to that is trouble.
It’s not saying that you won’t have great treasure if you fear the Lord. But it is saying that if all you have is God in your life then that’s worth more than having great treasure without Him.
The point of this proverb is that we need to put our relationship with God first, above all else.
Proverbs 22:4 (ESV) The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
This proverb is not presenting a contrast, but a statement, or observation, instead.
Does this mean that everyone who fears God will be a millionaire? No. What it means is that when you are humble and fear God you don’t need much more than that. You count your blessings - instead of your money - and find that there are many.
Will you grow financially by fearing God? Perhaps some will, but they might have done that without Him. No, the distinction here is subtle, but, to me, this proverb is saying that when you are humble and you are living with God in your heart everything else you gain on top of that is extra and you count it as riches and honor and life.
Praise
Proverbs 31:30 (ESV) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
On some level we all want to be praised. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a good compliment? And most people put a lot of thought into how they can win the approval of other people. From physical appearance, to worldly accomplishments, even to beliefs. We build reputations. We aspire to gain titles. We try to expand our influence.
The problem with getting praise, though, is that it becomes a self-centered game. It’s me focusing on you for the benefit of me. God doesn’t enter that picture, and the whole house of cards usually ends up falling in on itself sooner or later.
Proverbs 31 is talking about the noble wife. But, like most scriptures, I don’t think the lessons in this chapter are for wives only. They can be applied to everyone.
Think about everything that proverbs 31 describes about this woman. She is, outwardly, one of the most admirable people that you could ever imagine meeting, or being. She’s industrious, generous, faithful, prosperous, humble, kind, noble, and on, and on…
And who is it that God’s word says is worthy of praise? Not the person who does many great things. It’s the person who fears Him.
Even though the noble wife has done many praise worthy things from the world’s perspective, scripture says it’s only her fear of the Lord that makes her worthy of the praise that she will get for all those things. And that’s the blessing.
Everything I do, I should do it to please God - not other people. What compliment can I receive from anyone that would be better than hearing the compliment from God, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
God I thank You for all of Your blessings; for always taking care of my family and me; for Your love, and mercy, and grace; for Your forgiveness and peace. All praise be to You my Lord. Amen.
με αγαπη,
BJ