箴言1:1-7 Proverbs 1:1-7,

This week and next week, I will preach about the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. The Chinese character for “proverb” means “needle.” When you hear the word “needle,” many people think of the sewing needle. However, there is also a type of needle used in Oriental medicine to treat the sick by inserting it into acupuncture points on the body. It is called acupuncture needle. When you get an acupuncture needle stuck in you, it stings and hurts, but it also works to make your whole body feel better. In the same way, the words in Proverbs prick your hearts and remind you to remember God and live according to his teachings when you forget about God and do selfish things.

In the Bible passage we read today, verse 7, it says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The Lord is God. In church, I think we often hear that God is the loving and kind one. That’s true – God is a loving and kind one. But God is also a strict judge who will bring down harsh judgment on those who continue to disobey him. That is why the Bible tells us to believe in God and to obey him with fear.

God created this world and universe, and he rules over them. So, those who believe in God and obey him with fear will come to understand how God rules over this world. They will gain knowledge. They will also come to understand how they should live their lives. They will gain wisdom.

Do you remember Solomon, the king of Israel? Solomon was a man who received wisdom through his fear of God. When he became king of Israel, Solomon prayed to God, saying, “I am a mere child, unskilled in leadership.” “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (REB). God was pleased with Solomon’s request and gave him wisdom. Also, in verse 1 of today’s Bible passage it is written, “The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.” This book of proverbs contains many words spoken by Solomon after he was given wisdom by God.

There are many easy-to-understand words in Proverbs that are relevant to our lives. For example, there is the teaching: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you” (Proverbs 25:21-22). The meaning of this teaching is that instead of doing bad things as revenge to people who hate you, you should do good things for them. In this way, God will ultimately judge things correctly.” Paul, who preached about Jesus to many people, also quoted these words in his letter to the Romans, and taught: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). It’s an important phrase that stings our hearts.

The most important thing at the root of this kind of good way of life is to fear God. If you first fear God when you live your life, you will receive various kinds of knowledge and wisdom from God, and you will be able to live a fruitful life.