Proverbs - Knowledge AND the Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 1:29-33

For that they hated knowledge,

and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

They would none of my counsel:

they despised all my reproof.

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way,

and be filled with their own devices.

For the turning away of the simple shall slay them,

and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely,

and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

                    Knowledge and the fear of the Lord are tied together.  We should always be seeking those things that please the Lord and then we will understand how to live.  If we hearken to our own understanding we are in danger of making foolish choices.

                    Oftentimes we eat the fruit of our own way and blame others or even the Lord for such ‘sour grapes’.  We should be quite thankful when the foolish things we do turn out horrible.  The prosperity of fools shall destroy them.  We should thank the Lord when things turn out wrong as a result of a foolish choice.  This proves God right and turns us back to seeking Him and His ways. 

Sure, the wise choice isn’t always the most exciting but the results of having our steps ordered by the Lord, creates a quiet, safe lifestyle free from the fear of evil.