Read Job 26 28 Jobs response to Bildad

And to man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28 NKJV)

In the third dialogue; Bildad spoke of God's greatness and people as worms. Job argued that God is Sovereign. One could not fully comprehend God exercise of justice. What he knew is the fear of the Lord that gives wisdom.

What is the fear of the Lord? It is not a fear of His wrath that chase us away. It is an affection for God with reverence of Him. It is like a childs filial fear consistent with strong faith, great joy, and true courage. It is a gift wrought in conversion that one wishes not to sin.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7) It is wisdom when one fears the Lord. As God has spoken to the first man, to fear God and to avoid evil; not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge; would have been his highest wisdom, and a proof of it, and of his understanding.

We are exhorted to fear God, Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. (Ecclesiastes 12:13) The fruit and effect of the fear of the Lord, through which men have a hatred of sin, and an aversion to it, and are careful not to commit it; through it they depart from evil, and abstain from all appearances of it

The counsellors may have right theology but lack wisdom and make wrong applications in their words to Job. Wisdom does not come by head knowledge but the fear of God. Job suggests by this, that his friends should be satisfied with, such wisdom and understanding as this, and not pry into the secrets of Providence, and the wisdom of that, which are not to be found out; and so cease to charge him with being an hypocrite, and a wicked man, because of the dealings of God with him.

Prayer: Lord, You are reverently feared that we depart from evil. Instead of seeking to understand and comprehend Your dealing we stand on Your wisdom. For by this keeps me away from sin as You meant me good as I seek to honour You with reverent fear.

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