Proverbs 1:7 - Meaning and Application

Solomon has set out to teach a young man knowledge and good judgment. Here he gives two basic rules for becoming wise, fear God and honor parents. These two duties are the foundation of good living. Pythagoras begins his golden verses with the same ideas, though in a badly distorted form: “First worship the immortal gods, and honor your parents.”

To shape young people rightly, Solomon begins with God as their highest concern. He says that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). This means the fear of God is the chief part of true knowledge. It is also the starting point of all useful knowledge. Of everything we need to know, the most basic truth is that God must be feared, respected, served, and worshiped. If a person does not know this, then in the most important sense he knows nothing.

This fear of God is also needed if we are to profit from instruction. We are not fit to learn well unless our minds are filled with holy respect for God, and every thought is brought under his rule. Jesus said, “If anyone wants to do God’s will, he will know whether my teaching is from God” (John 7:17). All our knowledge should begin with the fear of God, and it should also lead back to it. People know enough when they know how to fear God and are careful in everything to please him and avoid offending him. This is the first and last thing in wisdom.

To prove this, Solomon adds that fools despise wisdom and instruction. By fools he means atheists, people who have no regard for God. They feel no dread of God’s anger and have no desire for his favor, so they do not thank you for telling them how to escape judgment and receive mercy. Those who say to the Almighty, “Leave us alone,” and who go so far as to challenge him, should not surprise us when they dislike God’s ways and reject instruction. People are fools if they do not fear God or value Scripture. They may admire clever talk, but they are really strangers to wisdom and even enemies of it.

Next, Solomon tells young people to respect their parents as those set above them (Proverbs 1:8-9). “My son, hear your father’s instruction.” He is not speaking only to his own children, or only to students who came to him as a teacher. He is also teaching all children to be dutiful and respectful toward their parents, and to follow the godly and moral upbringing they receive from them, as the fifth commandment requires.

He assumes that parents will instruct their children with all the wisdom they have, and guide them with all the authority they have for their good. Children are thinking beings, so parents must not just give orders without teaching. They must lead them “with human cords,” by explaining reasons as well as commands. Yet children are also stubborn and sinful, so instruction must be joined with authority. Abraham did not only teach, he also commanded his household. Fathers and mothers should do all they can for their children’s good upbringing, and even that will not be too much.

Solomon then tells children to receive and keep the good lessons their parents give them. They should receive them gladly, hear them carefully, welcome them, and be thankful for them. They should also hold on to them firmly. “Do not forsake your mother’s teaching” means that growing up does not end a child’s duty. A person may no longer be under tutors, but that does not mean he may live however he pleases. If a mother’s teaching agrees with God’s law, it must never be rejected. If a child is trained early in the right way, he should not turn away from it when he grows old. Some have noted that pagan moral teaching often told children to honor only their father, but God’s law also secures honor for the mother.

Solomon also says this instruction will be beautiful and honorable for us. If we carefully obey our parents’ teaching, it will be “an ornament of grace” on our heads (Proverbs 1:9). It will be like a costly crown, something precious in God’s sight, and it will make us seem as honored as people wearing gold chains. Let God’s truths and commands be like a crown or a special mark of honor to us. Let us prize them and aim for them, and they will truly honor us. Those are truly valuable, and will be valued, who count virtue and godliness above worldly riches and rank.