Knowledge With the Fear of the Lord - Daniel 1-6

Daniel 1:17-21 (ESV)

As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.

The four youths in the above passage are Jewish boys named Belteshazzr (Daniel), Sharach, Meshach and Abednego.   They were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.   All four of them were trained differently than the others taken captive.  They would not eat the king’s food or drink the king’s wine.  God watched over them.  The above text states that God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom.   These men went to Babylonian University and came out with PhDs.    But they were not like the degrees of those who attended with them.  Because God also gave them understating and wisdom in all visions and dreams. The point we should take from all this is that you can get learning and still not have wisdom.   Like others they studied all literature.   But the others who were taken captive with these four and studied all literature did not pursue God in faith.   They did not fear God.   Daniel and his friends did.   As a result these four were said to be ten times better  than all the magicians and enchanters that were in the king’s kingdom.   Only God can give that knowledge.   Note:

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 15:33 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 2:5 (ESV)

then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.

If you want to stand out in a crowd, at work, in your community, in your hobbies, in your church, fear the Lord.  That is the beginning of wisdom.    All the learning in the world cannot compare to the wisdom God gives.  

Proverbs 22:4 (ESV)

The reward for humility and fear of the LORD

is riches and honor and life.