箴言作者開宗明義的指出本書的宗旨是：「使人曉得智慧和訓誨」(箴1：2)，「智慧」在希伯來文的意義是：超越人類的智能：這智能乃是指專業的技術或知識，就像古時候那些建造會幕的技術及設計人員，被讚譽為「有智慧的」一樣(出31：1-11)，所以上帝要百姓在倫理道德的抉擇上「有智慧」(有技巧)。箴言的前九章是一篇父親對年輕兒子的告誡──同時也是一段學習「敬畏上帝」的誠摯祈禱。

        連連看，你能把這些恐懼症和其定義配合起來嗎？(可不能查字典或看參考書啊！)
╴╴1.懼高症（acrophobia）        a.對關閉的地方感到恐懼
╴╴2.懼怕外國人症（xenophobia）        b.對高處感到恐懼
╴╴3.恐水症（hydrophobia）        c.對陌生人感到恐懼
╴╴4.恐懼禁閉症（claustrophobia）        d.對水感到恐懼
        這些恐懼症會造成傷害，而另一恐懼卻對你的行為舉止有利（比方說：怕被燒傷，怕在黑暗中摔倒）！這類的恐懼不會使人陷入恐怖或僵化，卻使人採取建設性的措施（如：使用厚布墊或是開燈。）
        「敬畏上帝」正是如此，並不是因為恐懼使你遠離上帝，而是在上帝的能力和榮耀中，產生深邃恆久的尊崇與敬畏，這樣的情懷敦促你在祂說話時專心聽，並且順服祂的命令。請查考箴言二章一到五節；十四章二十六、二十七節；二十三章十七、十八節，就會發現為什麼每一天都要「敬虔度日」，怎樣才符合這樣的生活。

箴言書是來自智慧者的積極教導
        正如先知和文士寫下有關宗教信仰的信息，智慧者則論到生活中實際富有哲理的主題。在智慧文學中，箴言書是為積極教導之代表作：教導年青人邁向成功生活的原則。約伯記與傳道書則是舉消極面的實例：探討有關人的罪性和其根源等艱深的問題，論到為何義人受苦、惡人發達。

我是敬畏上帝，而不是怕祂！

English

        The author of Proverbs clearly states the book's purpose at its beginning: To know wisdom and instruction" (1:2-5). The Hebrew word for wisdom means more than human intelligence; it refers to skill or expertise. Just as the artisans and craftsmen who fashioned the tabernacle were described as "wise" (Exodus 31:1-11), so God wants His people to be wise (skillful) in the task of making moral and ethical choices.

        Can you match each of these common fears (phobias) with its correct definition? (No fair peeking in the dictionary!)
        1. acrophobia        a. fear of closed places
        2. xenophobia        b. fear of heights
        3. hydrophobia        c. fear of strangers
        4. claustrophobia        d. fear of water
        While these phobias can be detrimental, there are other fears that can have a beneficial influence on your behavior (for example, fear of getting burned, fear of stumbling in the dark). Such fears do not terrorize or immobilize, but rather lead to constructive action (such as using a potholder or turning on a light). The "fear of the Lord" is like that. Rather than sending you fleeing from God's presence in terror, it causes deep, abiding reverence and awe at the thought of God's power and glory. It stimulates you to pay attention when He speaks—and obey when He commands. Look up 2:1-5; 14:26-27; 23:17-18 to discover how and why yon can live each day in the "fear of the Lord."

Proverbs, Optimistic Words From the Wise
        While prophets and priests would write about religious matters, wise men would author books dealing with practical issues, as well as philosophical questions. In wisdom literature, Proverbs represents the optimistic side: teaching the young principles for living successfully. Job and Ecclesiastes are examples of the pessimistic side: tackling the tough questions about the origin and nature of evil, and why good men suffer when wicked men prosper.

I fear God, yet am not afraid of Him.