I have often wondered what it meant to truly fear God. In my mind, it was difficult to fear a God who is so merciful and loving. Where is there fear in mercy and in love? As Christians, we have a personal Lord and Savior to turn to in this life. We are covered by His blood. Our sins are forgiven because our sinless Savior died.
When I began reading the Old Testament in January, I saw a side of God that I had never really paid attention to before. The fear of God came to have an entirely different meaning. The Israelites were a very disobedient people, and God poured His wrath out upon them. It was common for a person to be stoned to death for one sin. How would we really measure up to these harsh laws today? I personally believe that I would already be dead. The Israelites love for God was based upon fear. Yes, God loved them. Yes, He did show mercy upon them. But, it is hard for me to understand how God's 'tough love' could bring the Israelites closer to Him.
The punishment that shocks me the most so far in my reading and the punishment that I really do not understand is that of Moses. Moses is one of the very few people in the Bible who is called God's servant. Moses sinned against God one time in forty years and because of that sin was not allowed to go into the promised land. I do not know about you, but I know that I could not go forty years without one sin. I also know that I am not nearly as close to God as Moses was. It has been explained to me that Moses could not lead the people into the promised land the same way that the Mosaic Law cannot lead us into our Promise Land. It was 'predestined' for Joshua to lead the Israelites just like Christ will and does lead us.
I am so thankful that we do not live under the Mosaic Law today. I am so thankful that we have a Savior who paid the ultimate price for us. The more I read, the more fearful I do become of God. I know that one day He will again pour out His wrath upon this Earth. I only pray that I am not here to see it.
[SIZE=+0]"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."[/SIZE]
- Romans 5:8
When I began reading the Old Testament in January, I saw a side of God that I had never really paid attention to before. The fear of God came to have an entirely different meaning. The Israelites were a very disobedient people, and God poured His wrath out upon them. It was common for a person to be stoned to death for one sin. How would we really measure up to these harsh laws today? I personally believe that I would already be dead. The Israelites love for God was based upon fear. Yes, God loved them. Yes, He did show mercy upon them. But, it is hard for me to understand how God's 'tough love' could bring the Israelites closer to Him.
The punishment that shocks me the most so far in my reading and the punishment that I really do not understand is that of Moses. Moses is one of the very few people in the Bible who is called God's servant. Moses sinned against God one time in forty years and because of that sin was not allowed to go into the promised land. I do not know about you, but I know that I could not go forty years without one sin. I also know that I am not nearly as close to God as Moses was. It has been explained to me that Moses could not lead the people into the promised land the same way that the Mosaic Law cannot lead us into our Promise Land. It was 'predestined' for Joshua to lead the Israelites just like Christ will and does lead us.
I am so thankful that we do not live under the Mosaic Law today. I am so thankful that we have a Savior who paid the ultimate price for us. The more I read, the more fearful I do become of God. I know that one day He will again pour out His wrath upon this Earth. I only pray that I am not here to see it.
[SIZE=+0]"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."[/SIZE]
- Romans 5:8
