Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30
I think this verse is to encourage those of us that want to rely on the praises of our family and friends for the measure of our accomplishments.
This woman has already been said to have favour and strive for beauty in her home and her life and yet, it is her fear of the Lord that brings praise!
Bu what is the fear of the Lord?
In 1 Samuel and 2 Chronicles we find places where the fear of the Lord caused people to obey His commands.
In Job we read that: the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
In the book of Psalms we read: the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding [19:9] and
I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. [34:11-14]
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. [111:10]
Several times in Proverbs we read that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom [1:7, 29; 2:5; 9:10; 15:33]
We also see in Proverbs that the fear of the Lord causes us to depart from evil [16:6]; brings a satisfied life [19:23]; brings riches and honour and life [22:4].
In Isaiah we read that the fear of the Lord brings understanding and is a treasure! [11:3; 33:6].
And in Acts we see that walking in the fear of the Lord brings rest to our soul [Acts 9:31]
Let this encourage our hearts to FEAR the LORD above ALL other endeavors in this life!
