Proverbs 1-2: The Beginning of Knowledge

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, - Prov. 1:7  NIV

Wisdom calls aloud in the street,
she raises her voice in the public squares;
at the head of the noisy streets she cries out,
in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
"How long will you simple ones love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?  - Prov. 1:20-22 NIV

and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding
- Prov. 2:4-6

Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, knew what most of us ignore:  that God alone is the source of all wisdom and knowledge.  Today, in a world is driven by technology and information overflow, everyone has an opinion, but there is limited wisdom.  According to Solomon, wisdom is there, waiting for us to respond, to seek the truth, but she is ignored.  And when distress and calamity come upon us, those who have rejected the Lord and as a result have rejected knowledge, will not be spared.  We will not be able to find the solution to our problems.  We will have information, but no knowledge.  We're looking for answers in all the wrong places.

when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
"Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me.
Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,
since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
- Prov 1:27-31