FEAR!

Initium sapientiae timor domini it proclaims proudly in gold from the fancy arch in regal Latin. The motto of the University of Aberdeen (est. 1495). Impressive. Especially when one figures out that it translates a verse of Scripture.

The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10

Appropriate for an institution of learning. Appropriate for such an establishment as this that was essentially founded by a religious office: Bishop Elphinstone (1431–1514), bishop of Aberdeen, inaugurated the University’s King’s College which houses the Department of Divinity and Religious Studies—my current home base. Appropriate that we tread this acclaimed ground, traverse that august quadrangle, and trace those ancient cobblestones remembering that the first (initial) step of obtaining wisdom is developing a fear of the LORD. The divine origin of wisdom is explicitly affirmed in the book of Proverbs.

For the LORD gives wisdom;
from His mouth come
knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6

This “fear” that is spoken about in Proverbs is, in essence, reverential awe. It doesn’t stop with a respectful attitude to deity, though, for the fear of the LORD always results in a code of conduct appropriate to that deferential disposition.

Abraham, in the era of that patriarch, disparaged the moral atmosphere of a local ruler’s court by declaring

There is no fear of God in this place ….
Genesis 20:11

And take the midwives of Egypt, commanded to kill Israelite babies, in the days of Moses’ birth; they refused to commit infanticide because, Scripture tells us twice, “they feared God” (Exodus 1:17, 21). The fear of the LORD has some protective effects, undoubtedly. It keeps us on the straight and narrow.

By the fear of the LORD
one keeps away from evil.
Proverbs 16:6

No wonder we are highly recommended to obtain this kind of wisdom—the acquisition of which commences with the development of the fear of the LORD. Indeed, God desires that we fear Him, for our own sakes. He wishes …

Oh that they had
such a heart in them that
they would fear Me, and keep
all My commandments always,
that it may be well with them
and with their sons forever!
Deuteronomy 5:29

Keeping us from evil, keeping us close to God, and, interestingly, keeping us close to our fellowmen, as well. For, you see, such a fear of the LORD also manifests in our interpersonal relationships.

So you shall not wrong one another,
but you shall fear your God;
for I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 25:17

A remarkable cure for the ills of the world! The fear of the LORD.

And if we think such a God cannot be loved, we are mistaken.

… what does the LORD your God
require from you,
but to fear the Lord your God,
to walk in all His ways
and love Him,
and to serve the LORD your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 10:12

All of this begins, of course, with a recognition of His holiness, a comprehension of our sinfulness, and a location of our trust in the LORD Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin. The fear of the LORD should lead us to that point of faith and belief.

And thence to continue in a life marked by a fear the LORD, …

… you shall not fear other gods,
nor bow down yourselves to them ….
But the LORD …
Him you shall fear,
and to Him
you shall bow yourselves down ….
2 Kings 17:35–36

We worship you, O God, the LORD we fear … and love!