If you look up fear in the thesaurus you will find an amazing number of words that are synonyms. This suggests that this emotion is not only universal, but very complex and difficult to pin down.
At one level the emotion of fear is similar in purpose to pain, it is there in us to keep us alive. But we all know that there are huge differences in the nature and level of fear we experience - from being 'subconsciously anxious' to 'terrified.'
This morning I read this verse and it made me pause.
Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
The usual explanation I have been told, of the phrase "fear God" is that it means we should respect him. This doesn't seem adequate to me. There are lots of people I respect, but whom I don't fear. And I would never use the word fear in relation to them.
I think I understand the first sentence "Do not be afraid." It's the second use of the word for which I need a deeper understanding. The scriptures say "The fear of the Lord in the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7) But it also says in 1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." and our relationship with the Father is one of love. Furthermore, I have been encouraged to stop sinning "because I love the Lord, who died for me to release me from the guilt and punishment of sin." This seems the opposite to "the fear of God will... keep you from sinning."
So I have two basic questions:
1) Does the original Hebrew in this verse use two different words, or the same one. and if two, what are the differences, what do they imply?
2) Can someone give me a more fitting synonym or explanation for the second use of the English word 'fear' in Exodus 20:20 and other verses admonitioning us to "fear the Lord.?"
At one level the emotion of fear is similar in purpose to pain, it is there in us to keep us alive. But we all know that there are huge differences in the nature and level of fear we experience - from being 'subconsciously anxious' to 'terrified.'
This morning I read this verse and it made me pause.
Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
The usual explanation I have been told, of the phrase "fear God" is that it means we should respect him. This doesn't seem adequate to me. There are lots of people I respect, but whom I don't fear. And I would never use the word fear in relation to them.
I think I understand the first sentence "Do not be afraid." It's the second use of the word for which I need a deeper understanding. The scriptures say "The fear of the Lord in the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7) But it also says in 1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." and our relationship with the Father is one of love. Furthermore, I have been encouraged to stop sinning "because I love the Lord, who died for me to release me from the guilt and punishment of sin." This seems the opposite to "the fear of God will... keep you from sinning."
So I have two basic questions:
1) Does the original Hebrew in this verse use two different words, or the same one. and if two, what are the differences, what do they imply?
2) Can someone give me a more fitting synonym or explanation for the second use of the English word 'fear' in Exodus 20:20 and other verses admonitioning us to "fear the Lord.?"