The Foundation of Wisdom

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

Family, true wisdom has a beginning, a foundation on which our entire life is built. We can imagine our life as a tree: to grow tall, bear fruit, and withstand storms, it needs deep, strong roots. These roots are our relationship with God and the fear of the Lord.

King Solomon, known for his great wisdom, wrote Proverbs in a time full of challenges: families facing difficulties, tough decisions, and conflicts that required discernment.

From this context, he teaches us something fundamental: all growth in wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.

The “fear of the Lord” does not mean paralyzing fear. It means reverence, respect, and love for God, combined with obedience to His teachings. Just as a tree with strong roots can withstand storms, a family centered on God can face life’s challenges without losing direction or peace.

Proverbs 1:7 also distinguishes between two paths:

• The wise, who fear the Lord and value His teaching. Their roots grow deep, their lives bear fruit, and their family is strengthened.

• The foolish, who despise wisdom. Their roots are shallow; although they may appear strong, they falter in difficulties and do not produce lasting fruit.

  
  

For the family, this carries an important message: when every member acknowledges God’s authority and seeks to live according to His teachings, our family becomes like a strong tree. Our roots grow deeper, our unity strengthens, and we can bear fruit of love, respect, and kindness. The fear of the Lord does not divide or scare us, but unites us in love and dependence on Him.

In summary, true wisdom is a family way of life, not just knowledge. It is having a heart that respects, listens, and submits to the Creator. Everything begins with God, and only by walking with Him can our family be like a strong tree: steadfast in storms, growing together, and bearing abundant fruit.

Lord, thank You for teaching us that all true wisdom begins with You.Help us to fear You with love and reverence, to strengthen our roots in You, and to live united as a family.May our lives be like a strong tree, able to withstand storms, grow in love, and bear abundant fruit for You. Amen.

By Daniel Rodriguez