God’s heart for you is that you “attain all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is Jesus Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3).
Matthew Henry points out, “the sorrow of this world with its appetites and passions infects the soul and mind” where we find ourselves in need of healing and refreshing (Proverbs 3:8). Our healing and refreshing begin with the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 3:7); fear meaning to be afraid, to dread, to hold in reverence, it’s to know who the LORD is and His power, then conduct our lives in His presence with respect to who He is and what He can do (both positively and negatively) to affect our lives.
The Israelites mishandling of the ark of God (also referred to as the ark of the Testimony or ark of the Covenant) documented in 2 Samuel 6:1-10 and 1 Chronicles 13:6-13 is a good example of what it means to fear the LORD. Exodus 25:10-30:38 provides the instructions God gave the Israelites for building the Tabernacle (the temporary transportable tent) where He would dwell with the Israelites to include an ark (chest) where He would meet with them. The Levites were given the responsibility to put up and take down the Tabernacle when God instructed them to move, with care of the most holy things which included the ark to the Kohathite branch of the Levites, and they were only to carry the most holy things with poles they had built (Numbers 4:1-15).
During a fight with the Philistines in which they were losing, the Israelites brought the ark to the battle as more of a good luck charm than anything else and were defeated by the Philistines (who actually feared God whom the ark represented), who then took the ark (1 Samuel 4:1-11). Later, under leadership of David, the second king of Israel, the Israelites defeated the Philistines and David wanted to bring the ark back to Jerusalem, however, instead of following the instructions God gave them for transporting the ark, they put it on a new cart to transport it (it appears the Philistines transported the ark on a cart). When the oxen that were pulling the cart stumbled a man named Uzzah put out his hand to hold the Ark; the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah “because of his irreverent act” (New International Version) and God struck him dead. David was afraid of the LORD that day (2 Samuel 6:1-10 and 1 Chronicles 13:6-13).
Pastor Chuck Smith observes David was angered with God because David knew that he did not follow the instructions the Israelites were given to transport the ark, and this put a fear in David’s heart “seeing the power of God against anyone who would dare to violate the word of God.” That’s the fear of the LORD.
David did successfully transport the ark back to Jerusalem in the manner prescribed by God (2 Samuel 6:12-19 and 1 Chronicles 15) providing an example for us to follow in seeking wisdom from God for the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 1:7).
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Jesus Christ is wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10). When wisdom enters your heart discretion will watch over you to rescue you (Proverbs 2:10-14).
Whoever finds wisdom finds life (Proverbs 8:35). Ask yourself three questions: Do you fear the LORD? Do you lack wisdom? Do you want wisdom? God gives wisdom generously and doesn’t rebuke you for asking (James 1:5-6).