Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding." And Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline." The theme continues with Psalm 111:10, "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom. All those observing his orders show good insight. His praise endures forever." Psalm 25, verse 14 goes even further. It plainly declares that, "Close friendship with Jehovah belongs to those who fear him."

The Hebrew word for "fear" is "yir’ah" (יראה), and although it is used to mean fear in the usual sense, one of its meanings is also fear in the sense of having deep respect based on wonder at someone’s abilities, in this case Jehovah’s power. The fear of Jehovah does not mean to be terrified of him, but to be in awe of his tremendous power. Recognising that he is the most powerful being and respecting his authority and capabilities allows us to have a proper perspective of mankind’s position relative to the supreme being. Understanding that perspective allows us to live by making wise decisions in harmony with Jehovah’s wishes and intentions towards mankind. The equivalent Greek word, used in the Septuagint to translate yir’ah and in the Christian Greek scriptures directly, is "phobos" (φοβος), It, too, can be understood in both senses.

So the question is whether those who serve Jehovah should fear Him, and in what sense. The Bible clearly says they should, but in the sense that they respect his majesty and power. According to Proverbs chapter 9, to gain wisdom we need to fear Jehovah, to respect him, and it is only fools who would reject the wisdom that comes from that. The psalmist who wrote Psalm 111 explained that fear of Jehovah results in good understanding and therefore accurate Bible knowledge, with the ultimate benefit of praising Jehovah forever.

True Christians very clearly understand this point, so continue to focus their attention on the necessity of developing this scripturally based fear of Jehovah, one who is able to bring about creation simply by deciding to do it and who could, if he wished to do so, simply end it the same way. Of course, Jehovah has promised that he will not do that,

as in Psalm 104:5, "He has established the earth on its foundations; It will not be moved from its place forever and ever", however, surely we must have complete respect for the power that Jehovah has to do this, even though we cannot fully understand it. Fools may oppose him and reject the proper appreciation of his majesty, but those of us who want to serve him for eternity voluntarily and willingly do so to the best of our ability. For instance, we understand and appreciate what a great privilege it is that the Sovereign Lord of the universe allows us to approach him personally in prayer and make requests. We understand and appreciate how privileged we are that he has made provision through His son, Jesus Christ, to alleviate mankind’s suffering and usher in a new system in which we can fully experience the potential with which he has given us.

However, we should not confuse the fear we have for Jehovah with being terrified or scared of him. We are not terrified of him, we love him as he loves us. "The love is in this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10). Verses 18 and 19 then emphasise an important point, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts fear out, because fear restrains us. Indeed, the one who is fearful has not been made perfect in love. We love, because he first loved us."

If fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom, then the completion of wisdom must surely be the belief in and acceptance of Jehovah’s love for us and our love for him. Remember what the psalmist said, "Close friendship with Jehovah belongs to those who fear him," (Psalm 25:14). How else would we be able to talk to him as children talk to their physical fathers. He is our spiritual father and like all loving fathers he corrects us when necessary, all the while caring for us and looking out for our welfare. Fear has been converted into love and friendship. We should not be afraid of Jehovah, instead we love him because of the greater love he has shown us.

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