What Does It Mean to Know God? A Biblical Study of Proverbs 2
Updated: Aug 6
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8–9
This is the fundamental teaching of the Gospel. No work we do will ever allow us to boast before God. The sacrifice of Jesus alone has made a way for the sinner to make atonement with God. And by this grace, through the faith we have in Him, we are saved. So what is left for us to do? What does God offer His followers while they await the return of His Son, Jesus, and what does He expect from them in the meantime? There are many answers to this. For one, Jesus called us to make disciples of all nations [Matt 28:19–20], and Scripture often tells us to show kindness to the poor [e.g., Prov 19:17, Luke 12:33]. But in His word, God calls His followers to something even more profound than that. Proverbs 2 offers guidance for a godly life. The writer gives us a set of commands and outcomes for when we obey. He doesn’t simply lay out God’s response to us, but the things we find when we, as a result, “…understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God” [Prov 2:5]. God desires to be many things to us: a father, friend, protector, our bridegroom, etc. In each of these roles, God reveals a new part of Himself and His love for us.
The story of the exodus gives us a spiritual picture and reflection of our spiritual journey here on earth. The moment the Israelites were freed from slavery did not mark the end of their journey and the completion of God’s plan for them. When God’s people left Egypt, a journey began in which God taught His people to dwell with Him. Although this journey was not without struggle, time and time again, God kept revealing more of Himself. Through His commands, His divine protection, and His tabernacle, God established a system that made it possible for sinners to dwell with a righteous and holy God. And even today, God offers His people the knowledge of Him.
What does it mean to know God? Scripture teaches that knowing God is far more than knowing facts about Him. It is a relationship marked by reverence, trust, obedience, and love. Proverbs 2 shows that those who seek God gain wisdom, discernment, and spiritual protection—not because knowledge itself saves, but because it leads us into deeper fellowship with the One who does. Ultimately, this knowledge finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly reveals the Father. The rest of Proverbs 2 shows what this relationship looks like in practice.
Why the Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
The idea of a God we should fear can be hard to accept for those who know God to be love. In fact, the Bible clearly states that “…perfect love drives out fear…” [1 John 4:18]. So how does that work? Many Old Testament translators would agree that the word “fear” in this verse is not a perfect translation, since there simply is no English word that conveys the true meaning of the text. This "fear" is true reverence, awe, and respect. In fact, the structure of this verse shows us what is truly meant by it. Those who fear God carry an understanding of His greatness, power, and authority. They “don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” [Matt 10:28]. A child who, in this sense, “fears” His parents respects and acknowledges their position. A fearless child disobeys the rules that were meant for his own protection and will refuse to listen to the wisdom of his elders. However, a child with great reverence for his parents knows that actions have consequences and that commands were set for his own good, even when he does not understand it in the moment. Proverbs 9:10, therefore, gives us the same idea in two different sentences. For the fear of the Lord comes forth from the knowledge of the Holy One. This knowledge is understanding and is the beginning of wisdom. For those who carry this knowledge, revere God as their Father and choose to obey His commands.
It is therefore not the case that God wants His people to live in constant fear of what He might do when they disobey. Christianity does not promote the fear of hell, but the desire for heaven. However, in some scenarios, the fear of the Lord is actual fear, especially for those who do not know Him. Scripture regularly warns us that “…a day belonging to the LORD of Hosts is coming against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up…” [Isa 2:12].
The idols will vanish completely. People will go into caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the Lord and from His majestic splendor, when He rises to terrify the earth. Isaiah 2:18-19
It is very hard to romanticize words like “terror” and “terrify” in this text. Although it should not be the thought that drives us, it is important to know that those who do not fear God now will fear Him someday. For a day will come when the works of our hands, the idols we lean on, will pale in comparison to God’s majestic splendor. God will terrify those who were unaware of the weakness of the strongholds they have built. This is why the beginning of wisdom is fear when there seems to be nothing to fear. Those who fear God are the people who say, “Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. What is he really worth?” [Isa 2:22]. They delight in their weakness and God’s strength, they build an ark before the air shows any sign of rain, and know that “if the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire…” [Dan 3:17-18].
God's Protection for Those Who Know Him
This brings us to our next point. For those who know God, know that the One who strikes is also the One who protects. In Daniel 3, when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, ordered all to fall down and worship his golden statue, three men were accused of disobeying his order: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These were Jewish men from the tribe of Judah, captives in the land of Babylon. In Babylon, the people attributed god-like status to their king. However, these three men refused to bow to anyone other than Yahweh, even when commanded to do so by one of the most powerful men alive. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego feared their God, not because they were afraid of God’s punishment, but because they considered Him far greater than a mortal king of Babylon, even when this king ordered them to be thrown into the “furnace of blazing fire.” However, their response was not that they knew God was going to save them, but they proclaimed that “…even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up” [Dan 3:18]. The reason for holding onto their God was their knowledge of Him. Even if He would not save them from the fire, they considered Him far more worthy of their worship than the king of Babylon.
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2–4
In a world where godlessness thrives, holding on to God brings various trials. Although this is never the initial goal, it can cost you your family, friends, job, and much more. “But the one who endures to the end will be delivered” [Matt 24:13]. The knowledge of God overshadows the lies told by the public and puts their trials in perspective, for Paul considered that “…the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” [Rom 8:18]. Those who know God know that “He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him” [Ps 18:30]. However, this hope does not rest on a promise that He will deliver us from our momentary affliction, but on the knowledge that “…what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” [2 Cor 4:18].
Why Obedience Flows From Knowing God
It has been said by many that God cares more about our character than our comfort. In fact, when we go back to Proverbs 2, we see that none of God’s promises to the righteous have anything to do with earthly comfort. Instead, He promises them understanding of righteousness, justice, and integrity, as well as wisdom and knowledge.
Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you, rescuing you from the way of evil… Proverbs 2:11-12
So what is this understanding, and how will it rescue us? God’s followers are told to call out to insight, accept His words, and store them within them [Prov 2:1-4]. “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God” [Prov 2:5]. In everything we have discussed so far, we see that those who know God possess an “eternal mindset.” These people revere God more than anything else and fear Him rather than those who can only kill the body. In the face of evil, when everything around them promotes perversion, and many are “…destroyed for lack of knowledge” [Hos 4:6], the knowledge of God rescues them from the way of evil. The moment we let this knowledge guide us, our minds begin to grasp a sense of eternity. This not only makes us more aware of the consequences of our actions, but also God’s glory and love for us. A child should not only fear his parents, but also love them and be aware of their love for him. A relationship with only fear leads to legalism and dread, and a relationship with only love leads to antinomianism. And "…both legalism and antinomianism essentially require the same treatment: a new vision of the beauty of God himself and his glorious, free, and costly grace. Both legalism and antinomianism are healed only by the gospel.”¹ When fear and love come together in harmony in our relationship with God, there arises pure love, respect, and the knowledge that the One who judges evil also protects the righteous, knowing that “He is a shield for those who live with integrity so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers” [Prov 2:7-8]. At this point in our relationship with God, we no longer try to find the grey areas of what is and is not a sin, but strive to invest in our relationship with God, our only eternal relationship. We don’t do good to be saved, but to know God more.
Knowing His Word
If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him. John 14:7
And those who desire to know God hold onto His Son, Jesus. “He is the image of the invisible God” [Col 1:15], and those who have seen Him have seen the Father. Because another thing the knowledge of God will birth within us is the awareness that even when we get ahold of this knowledge of God, we will still fall short in light of His holiness. Although the knowledge of God will lead us to Him, it is not what sets us apart from the ignorant when the Day of the Lord comes. In fact, Adam and Eve hid from God after their sin because of their knowledge and fear of Him. Just like the ignorant, we are deserving of eternal punishment, and the only thing saving us from it is the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus died for our sins and resurrected on the third day, conquering death. Proverbs 2 closes with a message for the upright, saying they will, “…inhabit the land, and those of integrity will remain in it” [Prov 2:21]. In Jesus, we find God. And those who continue in His word will know the truth, and the truth will set them free [John 8:32]. He is preparing a place for us, and He alone is the way to it.
Footnotes
Timothy Keller, Preaching (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2016), 16.
