Proverbs 15:33, Fear and Honour

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October 11, Proverbs 15:33

Matt. 22:1-14 “The Lowliest Christian is the Loveliest.”

Fear and Honour

As we have observed before the fear of the Lord, the motto of Proverbs, means true reverence for God. Where there is perfect love there will be no slavish fear (1 Jn. 4:17-18). “The fear of man weakens; the fear of God strengthens,” or, we might say, the fear of terror “kills” while the fear of reverence “thrills.”

1. The Scoop: The fear of the Lord is not only the beginning and substance, but the ongoing source of wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is not merely the gateway but the whole path of wisdom” (Kidner). This is indeed the scoop! The word instruction is the same as in verse 32, and is comparable to training in. It is the instruction of Wisdom itself. We cannot be wise, unless, and until, we submit to the fear of the Lord. This is what Wisdom is continually teaching in every area of life and work. Wisdom is not instruction merely to give enlightenment. No! The main purpose and end of Wisdom’s instruction is to deal with the soul. It wants to fill us with a holy reverence and deepening love for God. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear (1 Jn. 4:18). This is not torment, but a filial fear that grows out of love and joy in God. Only so can our stubborn hearts be transformed. “Though love will perfect fear remove; yet most I fear when most I love.”

2. The Stoop: Before honour is humility. The word humility appears in Psalm 18: Thy gentleness (humility) has made me great (v.36). How amazing that God’s gentleness is an expression of His humility! This comes to a climax in Christ. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. Oh! What a stoop was that, but it was the stoop to conquer! He rose again as the living Lord of His redeemed ones! Can we refuse or quibble about being asked to take the lowly place or position? Does our pride balk at our drudgeries, and especially our being largely unnoticed? We need to admit our own ignorance, and humbly ask Wisdom to teach us. This will surely be the first step to true honour, and “what honour hath humility!” It was so for Joseph, for Ruth, and a host of God’s dear saints. The Cross was the ladder to the Crown for our Lord (Ps. 22; Phil. 2:9). So it must be for His disciples (Ps. 126:5-6; Lu. 14:11; 18:14). Every mountain has its valley. The highest buildings must have the deepest foundations (1 Pet. 5:6). “The fear of the Lord will dispose us to search the Scriptures with reverence; and it will cause us to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. While we humbly place all our dependence on the grace of God, we are exalted in the righteousness of Christ” (Henry). The less of man, the more of God, must be the goal for every blood bought believer. What started out, “All of self, and none of Thee,” must, through grace become, and that quickly, “None of self, and all of Thee.” “This is the way the Master went. Should not His servants tread it still?”

Thought: “Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions” (Watson).

Prayer: Lord, make me like the king’s daughter, all glorious within (Ps. 45:13).