The first lesson that Solomon taught his son is found in Proverbs chapter one… “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
This “fear of the Lord” is the realization that God is very real, present everywhere, and righteous. Therefore, there is a coming day of accountability to Him… “My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent. If they say, ‘Come, let us lay in wait for blood, let us lurk stealthily for the innocent, we shall find all precious substance and fill our houses with treasure.’ My son, don’t walk in their path! For they lay in wait for their own blood; they lurk stealthily for their own lives.”
Knowledge is truth, facts, reality, wisdom. Hating knowledge is proof that mankind is desperately sin-sick and spiritually blind. God’s offer of forgiveness and eternal life through His Son is a grace so marvelous as to make those refusing it guiltier… “Because I have called, and you refused; because I have stretched out My hand, and no one cared to listen but dismissed all My counsel and would have none of My reproof… your desolation shall come as a whirlwind; distress and anguish shall come upon you.”
Notice God’s grace has a time limit: “Then they shall call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me: for they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would have none of My counsel; they despised all My correction. Therefore, they shall eat of the fruit of their own way.” This is why we must share the Gospel with an urgency.
And to all who will forsake the lies of the world to walk with Christ in truth, God gives this eternal and sweet comfort of deliverance from coming judgment… “Whoever listens to Me shall dwell safely and rest securely from fear of evil.” Hallelujah.
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