What Is The Knowledge of the Holy?

“The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.” (Pr 9:10 AV)

The mystics of the last century made much of this verse, indicating a deeper knowledge of the person of God.  Most commentators of that time period define it that way.  They point to the plural form of the word as an indication that the holy must mean the three persons of the trinity.  Much is made of the singular use of the word ‘LORD’ being too restrictive to only one person of the trinity while the Hebrew word expands it to three.  In fact, there are devotions written with that title.  Knowledge of the Holy.  I don’t think Solomon was limiting the ‘holy’ to mean and mystic experience with the three persons of the Godhead.  Rather, because the Hebrew word for holy is a plural noun, and given that it appears in the context of eternal wisdom, I think Solomon is say that understanding comes by way of knowing God and all things pertaining to God including His wisdom, law, and graces.

The word ‘holy’ is a unique term.  It is a difficult one to understand.  The common misunderstanding is that holy means pure.  It is especially used to describe purity in matters of intimacy.  But the biblical understanding of the term is far deeper.  When the Bible says that God is holy, it is referring to His natural state.  That is, He is unaffected by the natural or spiritual world in any way that would cause Him to cease being God.  Therefore, all of His attributes are holy.  Not just His moral attributes.  When the Bible states that God is holy, it is making the statement of His uniqueness of being and attributes.  His holiness is the highest possible state of existence.  When the Bible speaks of His wisdom, law, and grace as being holy, the same applies.  They are uniquely different from all that exists.  Knowledge of the holy is not limited to the person of God.  Knowledge of the holy encompasses all that God is and all that God has revealed about Himself to creation.  Knowledge of the holy is not a mere experience.  Rather, knowledge of the holy is comprehending the nature of God, His law, and His graces as it applies to how we live.

I am so burdened for humanity.  They are running from the knowledge of the holy.  Even our Christian ‘Apologists’ are doing the same.  Reason rather than faith becomes the ultimate authority, and that only leads to confusion of face.  Knowledge of the Holy must first believe that He is.  Period.  Faith is not a feeling.  Faith is a choice.  By faith, many in Hebrews chapter eleven did great things.  They choose to believe God.  They choose to believe what God said.  Reason played a part.  Reason may even have played a significant part.  But reason without faith will lay the soul in shipwreck.  Knowledge of the holy means knowing something so different that what our senses can understand that faith is required to accept it.  The entire book of proverbs was not written to avoid dire consequences for wrong decisions.  Although that is a natural application, it is not the principal one.  Listen to Solomon. “That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” (Pr 22:19-21 AV)  Solomon states the words of his book was to prove God exists and that faith in Him is the greatest good.

Knowledge of the holy means we see universal truths that play out regardless of culture, time, and situation.  The universal law of consequences from choices proves there is an absolute, and that absolute is God!  Knowledge of the holy is far more than a mystic experience whose definition fluctuates from one to another.  Rather, knowledge of the holy is to know God, His person and ways, that we might draw to Him by faith.