Proverbs 10:27 (ESV)
The fear of the LORD prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short.
When a person chooses the way of folly vs. the way of wisdom (the theme of Proverbs), he is not only choosing to honor God or not honor God, he is choosing the quality and quantity of his life. Those who choose to honor God are rewarded with long life and with abundant life (Prov 3:2; 9:11; 14:27). Those who choose folly will live in folly and be awarded with folly; which leads to death (Job 15:32,33 & 22:16; Psalm 55:23). Those who reject God and choose self find themselves making decisions that hurt the body and that causes death to draw quickly and quicker. When we read about King Hezekiah, we learn that God is the one who gives length to days (2 Kings 20:18-20). Wisdom in the heart causes decisions of the will to result in safer life for the body. A safer life for the body means life is longer. When we choose to associate with those who are given to danger and hatred we can expect to suffer the consequences of the those choices. This proverb does not say that if we, by faith, and choose wisdom we will always live longer. We know that God takes some home early in their lives. We also know that those who reject God can live a long time. But, the principle stated in the above proverb is for us to learn and live. Follow Christ in faith and you will have a life that is abundant and meaningful and, by God's grace, long. If you, in disbelief, follow your own will you will have a life of pain and suffering and, by God's grace, short. That is what God's Word says in the above Proverb. Those who live in the fear of the LORD live in a way to make wise choices about their life. Those who reject God and do not fear him will, more often than not, will make poor choices that result in a rough and struggling life. Yes, believers have rough lives and struggle. But, in Proverbs the theme holds true: Those who Fear the LORD have blessing and those who don’t have folly and curses.
Here are the other proverbs that speak to the Fear of the Lord. It is the theme of Proverbs. Note what happens in our lives when we fear the Lord:
1. We obtain knowledge:
Proverbs 1:7 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
2. We see who hates knowledge:
Proverbs 1:29 (ESV Strong's)
Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
3. We know God:
Proverbs 2:5 (ESV Strong's)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
4. We hate evil:
Proverbs 8:13 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
5. We obtain wisdom:
Proverbs 9:10 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
6. We prolong our life:
Proverbs 10:27 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short.
7. We gain confidence:
Proverbs 14:26 (ESV Strong's)
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
8. We avoid the snares of life/death:
Proverbs 14:27 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
9. We are content:
Proverbs 15:16 (ESV Strong's)
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
10. We learn humbly:
Proverbs 15:33 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
11. We turn from evil:
Proverbs 16:6 (ESV Strong's)
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
12. We have a satisfied life:
Proverbs 19:23 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of the Lord leads to life,
and whoever has it rests satisfied;
he will not be visited by harm.
13. We have a rich life:
Proverbs 22:4 (ESV Strong's)
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life.
14. We avoid envy:
Proverbs 23:17 (ESV Strong's)
Let not your heart envy sinners,
but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
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