Proverbs 4:1-7 “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Text Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

The writer of Proverbs was a man that had access to everything his heart could desire. Solomon’s fortune and fame were known throughout the world, yet when considering the most important things to be sought after, he said, “therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Pro. 4:7). In addition to telling us what is most important, Solomon tells us how to recognize these treasures when they manifest themselves. Wisdom is present in a reverence for God, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” The commencement or origin of being wise in mind, word, and deed accompanies those that display a moral reverence for the LORD. A wise man gives the LORD first place in their life because he acknowledges that the LORD is preeminent in all things. Not so with the fool; “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Ps. 14:1). Understanding is present in a revelation of God, “the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” The ability to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil accompanies those that by the means of observation get to know the LORD and the ways of the LORD. The writer of Hebrews said, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (12:2). The man with understanding is continually looking unto the LORD for the pattern of life. The Apostle Paul knew this when he said, “That I may know him” (Phil. 3:10). The final words of Solomon were, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). The true treasures of life remain the same and they can only be obtained by a reverence for God and a revelation of God!