Proverbs 2:5-8 “Wisdom Blessing #1: Knowledge of God & His Protection”

(5) Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (6) For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (7) He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; (8) He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.

In the first four verses of the chapter, the wise father has appealed to the son to receive wisdom, meditate on wisdom, cry out for wisdom, and pursue wisdom. He now moves into the blessings that wisdom bestows on those who seek her. Here is a summary of the 5 Wisdom Blessings given in this chapter.

1.   Knowledge of God & God’s protection (v. 5-8)

2.   Discernment for Living (v. 9-11)

3.   Protection from Evil Men (v. 12-14)

4.   Protection from Evil Women (v. 16-19)

5.   Righteous Living (v. 20-22)

The blessings are given in the order a young man would need them. Wisdom’s first blessing is knowing God, which has several parts. The parts include the fear of the Lord, the knowledge of God, receiving additional wisdom, protection and preservation.

This blessing is the foundation of all the other blessings. In fact, this blessing is actually the foundation of wisdom itself. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7 & 9:10) The first realization that you are becoming wise is when you realize that you are beginning to fear the Lord.

What is the “fear of the Lord?” First and foremost, understand that the fear of the Lord is a positive quality. We typically think of fear in negative terms, but this is a different kind of fear. Exodus 20:20 states that this fear recognizes God’s good intentions and prevents sin. It provides confidence (Proverbs 14:26) and a good night’s sleep (Proverbs 19:23). C. I. Scofield called the fear of the Lord “Old Testament piety, meaning reverential trust, with hatred of evil.” (See Job 28:28) To distinguish the ‘fear’ in “fear of the Lord” from ‘fear’ as in afraid or terror, think of it as ‘holy fear.’ Two verses lend to this concept. “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11) & “But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; in fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.” (Psalm 5:7) As you begin to recognize Who God is, you gain the fear of the Lord and tremble at His greatness which leads to rejoicing and worship! Wow! This is the beginning of wisdom and is the first benefit of having wisdom: a right relationship with the Most High God, your Creator.

Note that the Lord Himself gives wisdom. God wants you to know Him. he wants you to see His glory and rejoice in Him. He reveals Himself to you. He gives you more wisdom, helping you come to greater knowledge and understanding of Him, so that you will rejoice in Him even more. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” (Psalm 34:8) God has actually stored up sound wisdom for you so that you can know Him even better. That is why the father exhorts his son to seek wisdom as silver and search for her as for hidden treasure. That is how you receive the wonderful wisdom God has stored up for you.

But this first blessing of wisdom doesn’t end with knowing God, or fearing the Lord, or even with receiving God’s stores of wisdom. It continues with the promise that God will protect you as you walk uprightly. He guards your just paths. He preserves your way.

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Related Scriptures: Daniel 1:17; Jeremiah 9:24; James 3:17

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And to man He said, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” - Job 28:28