Psalm 111:10
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise!”
Of all attainments that are made by man, wisdom is confessedly the highest; and well does it deserve the highest place in our esteem, because it elevates and ennobles him in whom it is found. This is true even of human wisdom; how much more, then, of that which is divine!
But where shall divine wisdom be found? Who can ever estimate it aright, when found? These are questions propounded by holy Job; and they deserve our most attentive consideration. “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed in silver. It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires. Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold! Job 28:12-19.”
Having stated all this, he again asks the question, “Whence then comes wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?” He then answers, that it is hidden from the eyes of all living; that God alone understands it; and that he has declared where and what it is, “Unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding! Job 28:20-21; Job 28:24; Job 28:27-28.”
Now, as rich and determinate as this passage is, it does not equal the declaration of David, who says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise!” Here he not only identifies the fear of the Lord with wisdom, but carries on the comparison from the beginning to the end, from the first formation of them in the soul, to their final completion in glory.
To enter fully into his meaning, we shall consider
I. The fear of the Lord as existing in the soul.
“Man is born like a wild donkey’s colt,” and is as destitute of true wisdom as the animal. “The fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom;” and then only does wisdom exist in the soul, when the fear of the Lord is implanted in it. But,
What do we understand by the fear of the Lord?
This needs not to be stated at any length, because a very few words will suffice to explain it. The fear of the Lord is here put for true religion; even for such religion as manifests itself by:
a deep humiliation for sin before God,
a simple trust in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and an unreserved obedience to his will.
The fear of the Lord does not consist in a mere assent to the truths of the gospel, or a mere profession of it as the only way to glory. True fear of God is a real surrender of ourselves to Him as His redeemed people.
The fear of God, when genuinely existing in the soul, is true wisdom.
There is no true wisdom where this fear is not; for without this fear, a man views nothing aright, and does nothing aright. Earthly things have in his eyes an importance which does not properly belong to them; and heavenly things are in no respect appreciated according to their real worth.
But when “God has put his fear into our hearts,” our misconceptions are removed, and our mistakes rectified. Sin is no longer that light and trivial evil which we before supposed it to be. Nor is salvation judged to be of so small consequence, that we can any longer neglect it. The salvation of the soul becomes from that moment, the one thing needful; and all the concerns of time are swallowed up in those of eternity. This may be accounted folly; yes, it is so accounted by an ignorant and ungodly world; but God declares it to be wisdom; and such it will prove itself to be in the outcome.
II. Trace the fear of the Lord as operating in the life.
In all its bearings, and in all its operations, the fear of the Lord approves itself to be true wisdom.
1. Genuine fear of God operates in the different ages and relations of life.
Of whatever age a person be, whether young or old, the fear of the Lord will dictate to him such a deportment as befits him. And in every relation of life it will exalt his character. Husband or wife, parent or child, master or servant, magistrate or subject—all will know their place; all will fulfill their duties; all will execute their respective offices with care. In nothing will the operation of this principle more clearly appear, than in stimulating every Christian to discharge with diligence and propriety the duties of his own peculiar calling.
2. Genuine fear of God operates in the different circumstances in which it may be placed.
Are we in prosperity?
Genuine fear of God will keep us humble, and watchful against the temptations to which prosperity will expose us.
Are we in adversity of any kind?
Genuine fear of God will support us from fainting and murmuring, on the one hand; and from a contemptuous apathy on the other. It will cause us to acknowledge a divine agency in everything that occurs; and to make such an improvement of it, as that God may be glorified in all.
Of course, I must not be understood to say that the fear of God will enlarge a man’s intellectual powers, any more than it will increase his bodily stature; at least, not to such a degree as to divest a man of his natural weakness. A man who is of slender mental capacity will continue so; and he will be liable to misapprehensions as arising out of that circumstance. A person of a weak mind will betray that weakness in anything that may engage his attention; and, if it shows itself in his religious deportment, it will be very unjust to ascribe that to religion which proceeds only from his own imbecility, and would equally show itself in any other occupation or pursuit.
But this I will say, that genuine fear of God will go far to direct him, where his judgment, not so regulated, would err; and that, consequently, he will on the whole excel in wisdom those whose capacity and attainments are in other respects on a level with his own.
I will further say, that, in proportion as he advances in true piety, his profiting in wisdom also will appear unto all.
Let us view this principle yet further,
III. Let us view the fear of God as completed in the eternal world.
The applause which ungodly men gain from their blind companions is of very short continuance. But that which piety secures will endure forever.
The man who fears the Lord is not without applause in this world.
What if he is derided by some? It is only by those who know not what true wisdom is; and who, if they acted in reference to earthly things as they do in relation to their heavenly concerns, would themselves be regarded by all mankind as fools and idiots. By every man whose good opinion is worth having, the godly man is loved and honored; yes, and God himself also honors him with the richest manifestations of his presence and love.
And how is he honored in the eternal world! There the angels of God bear him on their wings, exulting in the office assigned to them of ministering unto him. And no sooner is he arrived at the portals of Heaven, than he is welcomed by God himself, who, in the presence of all the heavenly host, addresses him, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord!” Behold the crown prepared for him! Behold the throne also made ready for his reception! Behold the kingdom awarded to him as his inheritance, of which he takes possession as an “heir of God, and joint-heir with Christ!” Yes, truly, this is his praise; and will be so when they who here despised him shall “awake to shame and everlasting contempt.”
“This praise, too, endures forever.” While his once contemptuous enemies are “weeping and wailing and gnashing their teeth” in Hell, he will be in the full enjoyment of glory and honor and immortality, in the bosom of his God.
ADDRESS.
1. Those who despise true religion.
Why is it that you despise it? Your contempt of it is altogether founded on your own ignorance and wickedness. “Satan has blinded your eyes,” and hardened your hearts, and is “leading you captive at his will.” And how long, Do you think, will you retain your present opinions?
If God Almighty ever has mercy on your soul, your eyes will be opened to see your folly and impiety; but, if this mercy never be given to you, not a minute will intervene between your departure hence and a total change of your views. You will then be perfectly like-minded with those whom you now despise; but who can express the regret which you will then feel at the review of your conduct? But then your regrets will be in vain; your day of grace will have forever passed away; and you will forever reap the bitter fruits of your wickedness.
2. Those who are afraid of confessing Christ by reason of the contempt which they shall thereby encounter.
It was not thus that your Savior dealt with you. He knew to what shame and ignominy he would be exposed for you; and yet, “for the joy of saving your souls, he endured the cross and despised the shame, and has now sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The same blessed outcome is reserved for you also, if you approve yourselves faithful unto him, “If you deny him, he will deny you;” but, if you submit willingly to “suffer with him, you shall also be glorified together! Romans 8:17 and 2 Timothy 2:12.” Regard not, then, the scoffs of the ungodly world; but “rejoice rather that you are counted worthy to endure them.”
But, after all, what is it that you are afraid of? An unkind look? An opprobrious name? The finger of scorn? Truly you have but little pretense to wisdom, if by such things as these you can be deterred from confessing Him who lived and died for you.
3. Those who by reason of indiscretion “give occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully”.
It is greatly to be lamented that all who profess godliness do not act so wisely as they ought. There are many who, by the extravagance of their notions, or the absurdity of their deportment, cause religion itself to be reproached, and “the way of truth to be evil spoken of.” But I must declare to all such professors, that they incur a fearful responsibility before God; and that for every one who falls over the stumbling-blocks which are thus laid in his way, they must give account in the day of judgment.
See to it then, brethren, that you “walk in wisdom towards those that are outside;” and that instead of giving occasion of offence by any unwise conduct on your part, you “put to silence the ignorance of foolish men by your well-doing.”
Never forget that wisdom is identified with religion. It admits of nothing that is foolish or extravagant in any respect. Prudence, sobriety, soundness of judgment, and true discretion, are inseparable from it; and if we would adorn our profession, or be accepted by our God, we must “walk wisely before him in a perfect way! Psalm 101:2.”
Charles Simeon