Understanding the Fear of the Lord

INTRODUCTION

Psalm 147:10–11 NLT

10 He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. 11 No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) 8354 I. רָצָה

8354 I. רָצָה (rā·ṣā(h)): v.; ≡ Str 7521; TWOT 2207—1. LN 25.102–25.115 (qal) be pleased, delight in, enjoy, favor, i.e., have a feeling or attitude of fondness and finding pleasure in an object, implying it to be delightful and favorable in the opinion of the speaker (1Ch 28:4); (qal pass.) be favored, esteemed (Dt 33:24; Est 10:3+);

I have lived most of my life in a church culture that has tried to teach us that our God is passive, weak, and indifferent. We have developed theologies and philosophies that offer excuses for the seeming absence of His power or presence with us, and we have diminished the indescribable glory of His weighty nearness to a short list of palatable buzzwords like uplifting or family-friendly or safe. But don’t we need a God who is more than that? When your marriage is hanging on by a thread, don’t you need a God who is more than just “safe”? When your kids’ faith is being shaken by the seductive song of a godless culture, and the call of secular humanism is growing louder in their ears, don’t you need a God who is more than an “uplifting” idea? As true, biblical faith finds itself on the chopping block of inclusivity and religious relevance, we more than ever need a God who is not subject to our ever-shifting philosophies or worldviews. One who is not open for debate but One who cannot— will not— be tamed for the comfort of a self-indulgent generation. Mattie Montgomery - “Scary God”

IS FEAR HEALTHY OR UNHEALTHY?

Yes… some fear is healthy.

120 times the Bible admonishes us to fear the Lord our God. All but 4 are in the Old Testament.

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 3373. יָרֵא

3373. יָרֵא yârêʾ, yaw-ray´; from 3372; fearing; mor. reverent:—afraid, fear (-ful).

Whatever you fear more than God will ultimately rob you of your destiny, your family, your life, and possibly even your soul.

But do we really need to fear God?

Proverbs 1:7 NLT

7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 9:10 NLT

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

Immature love needs fear in direct proportion to its immaturity.

1 John 4:18 NLT

18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 5828 φοβέομαι

5828 φοβέομαι (phobeomai): vb.; ≡ DBLHebr 3707; Str 5399; TDNT 9.189—1. LN 25.252 be afraid, state of fear, be alarmed (Mt 10:28; 17:6; Ac 5:26); 2. LN 87.14 respect, show reverence for (Lk 18:2); 3. LN 53.58 worship, profound reverence (Lk 1:50; Ac 13:16)

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 5399. φοβέω

5399. φοβέω phŏbĕō, fob-eh´-o; from 5401; to frighten, i.e. (pass.) to be alarmed; by anal. to be in awe of, i.e. revere:—be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.

Matthew 10:28 NLT

28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

The word for fear used here?

5399. φοβέω phŏbĕō, fob-eh´-o; from 5401; to frighten, i.e. (pass.) to be alarmed; by anal. to be in awe of, i.e. revere:—be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.

I have lived most of my life in a church culture that has tried to teach us that our God is passive, weak, and indifferent. We have developed theologies and philosophies that offer excuses for the seeming absence of His power or presence with us, and we have diminished the indescribable glory of His weighty nearness to a short list of palatable buzzwords like uplifting or family-friendly or safe. But don’t we need a God who is more than that? When your marriage is hanging on by a thread, don’t you need a God who is more than just “safe”? When your kids’ faith is being shaken by the seductive song of a godless culture, and the call of secular humanism is growing louder in their ears, don’t you need a God who is more than an “uplifting” idea? As true, biblical faith finds itself on the chopping block of inclusivity and religious relevance, we more than ever need a God who is not subject to our ever-shifting philosophies or worldviews. One who is not open for debate but One who cannot— will not— be tamed for the comfort of a self-indulgent generation.

Acts 2:42–47 NLT

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

The word for fear used here?

5399. φοβέω phŏbĕō, fob-eh´-o; from 5401; to frighten, i.e. (pass.) to be alarmed; by anal. to be in awe of, i.e. revere:—be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.

Familiarity breeds contempt.

Basic Training - Ramagen Range

Acts 5:1–11 NLT

1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” 5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” 9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.” 10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.

The word for fear used here?

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 5832 φόβος

5832 φόβος (phobos), ου (ou), ὁ (ho): n.masc.; ≡ Str 5401; TDNT 9.189—1. LN 25.251 fear, state of terror (Mt 28:8; 2Co 7:5); 2. LN 25.254 source or occasion of fear (Ro 13:3); 3. LN 53.59 reverence, a worshiping respect (Ac 9:31; 2Co 5:11)

Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira?

2 Corinthians 5:10–11 KJV 1900

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

The word for fear used here?

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 5832 φόβος

5832 φόβος (phobos), ου (ou), ὁ (ho): n.masc.; ≡ Str 5401; TDNT 9.189—1. LN 25.251 fear, state of terror (Mt 28:8; 2Co 7:5); 2. LN 25.254 source or occasion of fear (Ro 13:3); 3. LN 53.59 reverence, a worshiping respect (Ac 9:31; 2Co 5:11)

THE SECRET TO VICTORY OVER FEAR, IS THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Whatever you fear more than God will ultimately rob you of your destiny, your family, your life, and possibly even your soul.

When you fear God, you fear nothing else, but if you do not fear God, you fear everything else. (Oswald Chambers)

If the fear you’re experiencing is not a healthy kind, then you need to deal with it. But how? Just by gritting your teeth and trying to be brave? “Getting a grip” on yourself? No, because the opposite of fear isn’t courage, it’s faith. It’s trusting that God is good, come what may. It’s stepping out and doing what God has told you to do, despite how you feel inside. To be fearless doesn’t mean to never feel afraid. It means to never let that feeling take the driver’s seat of your life. Mattie Montgomery - “Scary God”

FEAR BRINGS PRESENCE

2 Samuel 6:1–3 NLT

1 Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. 2 He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. 3 They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart

Uzzah - trusting in your own strength, wisdom, and resources.

The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names Uzza

Uzza (uz’-zah) = Strength; (root = to be strong).

Ahio - trusting in brotherly love.

The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names Ahio

Ahio (a-hi’-o) = Brotherly; his brother.

Sons of Abinadab - Trusting in pedigree.

The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names Abinadab

Abinadab (a-bin’-ah-dab) = Father of nobility; my father is noble; father or source of liberality; the father liberal.

The parable of the wedding feast.

2 Samuel 6:5–23 NLT

5 David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. 6 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7 Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God. 8 David was angry because the Lord’s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah”), as it is still called today. 9 David was now afraid of the Lord, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of the Lord back into my care?” 10 So David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. 11 The Ark of the Lord remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and his entire household. 12 Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. 13 After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. 15 So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns. 16 But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him. 17 They brought the Ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. 18 When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 19 Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes. 20 When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” 21 David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. 22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” 23 So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.

Not everyone wants the presence of God

RESTORING THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Malachi 3:16–17 NLT

16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. 17 “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.

Proverbs 1:7 NLT

7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 2:1–5 NLT

1 My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.

Now—after all the “IFs”—we come to the “THEN”—the promise.

Mark 4:41 NLT

41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

They were Phobos-ed

Revelation 1:12–17 NLT

12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 NLT

13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.