The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

What do you picture when you think of fear? Is it the feeling that comes over you when you walk down a deserted street at night? Is it the thought of getting up and speaking in front of people? Is it the fear that your parents or teachers will find out about something that they would not approve of? I do not think this verse is talking about any of those kind of feelings. It is talking about total reverence and fear like the kind that we would have for a conquering general. A man who has total power and control. God wants me to have this attitude towards Him. In fact, God makes it clear here that if we have this attitude we will get wisdom. If we simply fear God enough to obey Him, we are automatically going to go down the wise path because God is perfect and what he commands us to do is right. I need to fear and obey God.