God’s presence and activity on Mount Sinai caused great fear among the Israelites.
Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.” (Exodus 20:20).
I have puzzled over the phrase, “the fear of the Lord,” for quite some time. A few years ago, I read an acclaimed scholar who stated that the fear of the Lord was the proper human response to God’s presence.
He said the “fear of the Lord” was to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6.5).
How did he arrive at that belief? Walter Brueggemann has an excellent analysis of Old Testament texts that outlines how the “fear of the Lord” leads the believer to a wholehearted love of God.
The Message of Scripture
The Scripture teaches that the “fear of the Lord” is not cringing fear but productive action.
The Lord your God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast (Deuteronomy 13:4).
The word ‘fear’ here is used with follow, obey, listen, serve, and hold fast. All these words mean a strong and dedicated commitment to Jehovah (God) and his will.
“So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
And to keep the commandments of the Lord and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).
Let’s outline this passage to fully appreciate its meaning.
(1) Our Walk: The fear of the Lord is a guide for all learning and actions in life.
(2) Love: The fear of the Lord and loving him are linked together.
(3) Wholehearted: The fear of the Lord isn’t about obeying a list of rules, but rather a joyful dedication from your heart and mind, along with loyal service to God.
(4) Following God’s Guidance: The fear of the Lord is about understanding that creation follows God’s plan. It means recognizing we aren’t independent, but always secondary to God’s purpose and will.
The world operates according to Jehovah’s plan. To think we can create our own order without considering Jehovah’s purpose is not only foolish but also harmful.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever. (Psalm 111:10)
If we think of fear of the Lord as total dedication, then fear really means love that is faithful, wholehearted, and persistent. Fear signifies love shown through obedience.
Do Not Be Afraid
God, who taught “the fear of the Lord,” also instructed his people to not live in fear. The fear of the Lord is completely different from cringing in fear before Pharaoh and his minions.
Israel is to fear God; when it fears God, it will not be afraid.
But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today, for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again.
“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still” (Exodus 14:13-14).
Perfect fear of Jehovah, like perfect love, casts out all other fears.
So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love (1 John 4:16-18).
Think About It
When we understand “the fear of the Lord” as wholehearted love and commitment, we find the best guide for living.
Rather than fearfully obeying a list of commandments, let’s joyfully dedicate ourselves to God.
Embracing this “fear” allows us to understand God’s purpose for our lives, cultivating wisdom and casting out all other fears.
The Scriptures we have studied reveal God’s intended plan for our lives. As we follow God’s plan, we will experience God’s best for us.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross, Whispering Danny, and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 