S – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

O – Commentary:

Fearing the Lord, Solomon wrote, is the beginning of knowledge. The fear of the Lord occurs 11 times in Proverbs (and “fear the Lord” occurs 4 times). “Beginning” is the Hebrew rē’šîṯ which means “the start.” One cannot gain knowledge of spiritual things if he begins at the wrong point, refusing to fear the Lord (i.e., to recognize God’s character and respond by revering, trusting, worshiping, obeying, and serving Him). Rē’šîṯ also means the capstone or essence. The essence of true knowledge is fearing God. Apart from Him a person is ignorant of spiritual things

 Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 907–908.

A – The fear of the Lord is the beginning and the essence of wisdom.  There are a lot of false gods and idols in the spiritual realm.  Knowing the one true God takes you to the creator and the beginning of knowledge.  Love the commentary on this.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the One, True God.  Help us to fear you with awe and reverence.  As we do this, unpack new knowledge and wisdom for us.  We step toward you to help us grow in all things.