FEAR = LIFE   –    Proverbs 19:1-11   –   7-26-26

Proverbs 19:23 serves well as a theme verse to outline this chapter of Solomon’s collection of wise sayings.   This verse reprises the meta-theme of wisdom literature: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’, attaching it to practical blessings.   According to Solomon : “the fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied, he will not be visited by harm.”   As with other statements of this nature in the book, the qualifying context of these promises is assumed.   First, the ordinary application:   Generally speaking, taking the exhortation of Proverbs as your day to day operating system, it will tend to result in positive outcomes   as you realize its life enhancing potential. 2nd: we are mindful in Christ of the ultimate application: Fear of the Lord, as fruit of regeneration in the heart of the believer, will secure our quality of life eternally.   Solomon instructs us how we who submit to Christ should live in the meantime for our own good and His glory.