The key phrase in the Book of Proverbs is found in at least 18 references. (1:7, 29; 2:5; 3:7; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:2, 26–27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17; 24:21; 31:30). It’s also found in Job 28:28 and Psalm 111.10. Briefly summarized, it says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” We will never be all that we can be until we take God seriously. Those who refuse to take God seriously are often referred to as fools in the Bible. Psalm 94 is one of the key passages that express this. “In a series of rhetorical questions, the psalmist presents the LORD as Creator and clearly superior to the creature (vv. 8–11). Those who do not take God seriously are blind fools (v. 8), their thoughts but empty breath (v. 11). Yet the purpose of these questions is to call the wicked to their senses. Thus, the psalmist plays a pastoral role, encouraging and supporting the discouraged and hurt as the people of God.”[1]
Wiersbe says that it means, “…we acknowledge from our hearts that He’s the Creator, we’re the creatures; He’s the Father, we’re His children; He’s the Master, we’re the servants. It means to respect God for who He is, to listen carefully to what He says, and to obey His Word, knowing that our disobedience displeases Him, breaks our fellowship with Him, and invites His chastening.” We live our lives in such carefree luxury that we don’t take God seriously. It is a plague on the 21st-century church. We want our church services to be as entertaining as a variety of TV shows. We’re not interested in Biblical Truth, which requires some thought and contemplation. We want things fed to us. We’re even beginning to see Artificial Intelligence in the form of apps like “ChatGPT” write our sermons and devotions. Ryken observed this and said, “More than anything else, failing to take God seriously is the problem with the contemporary church. We trivialize the holiness of God, so we end up with a trivial view of sin. We trivialize the majesty of God, so we end up with trivial worship. We trivialize the truth of God, so we end up with a trivial grasp of his Word. We trivialize the judgment of God, so we end up with a trivial appreciation for the atonement of Jesus Christ. Our God is too trivial!”[2]
Jeremiah and Zechariah both condemned the preachers of their day for not taking God seriously. They denied that God would judge their sin. He was a loving, gracious, and forgiving God, and they need not worry about their lifestyle choices. One commentator wrote the following: Their people needed an emergency heart transplant, but these quack pastors came around with their Band-aids and their lollipops. “There, there,” they said, “you’re okay. God will not judge your sin.” “Peace, peace,” they said. “Shalom, shalom.” One reason they wrongly divided the word of truth was because they did not take God seriously. More than anything else, failing to take God seriously is the problem with the contemporary church. But true wisdom comes only when we begin to take God seriously. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7
[1] Waltner, James H. 2006. Psalms. Believers Church Bible Commentary. Scottdale, PA; Waterloo, ON: Herald Press.
[2] Ryken, Philip Graham. 2001. Jeremiah and Lamentations: From Sorrow to Hope. Preaching the Word. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.