Fear of the Lord - Let's Study Together

[Benjamin Müller]

Fear of the Lord ​

Definition:

• Be in Awe
• To Have Reverence for
  
• To Adore
• To Honor
• Hold in High Esteem
• To Worship
• To Have Confidence In
• To Be Thankful / Offer Thanksgivings
• To Love
• To Respect
• To Fear

To Fear:

• Fear of Judgment
• Fear of Disappointing
• Fear of Offending
• Fear of Hurting
• Fear of Making Him Sorrowful
• Dread of Displeasing Him

Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.”

Deuteronomy 14:23 You shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.

Job 28:28 “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’

Psalm 33:8 "Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him."

Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments"

Malachi 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear?

Colossians 3:22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

---

Would anyone be willing to share more scriptures regarding the Fear of the Lord? Commentaries regarding the Fear of the Lord; definitions etc.

 

[honey badger]

the beginning of knowledge ...

 

[Benjamin Müller]

Malachi 2:4-5 "And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name."

Malachi 3:16 "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name."

Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Those who fear the Lord are afraid before my name and think upon the Name of the Lord.

'My name' isn't simply: Jehovah, Elohim etc. It also means authority. Levi was afraid before my authority. Those who think upon the name of the Lord, think upon his authority, on his power and his position of power: Lord; Savior; King of kings. In Malachi 1:6 God identifies his position of authority as a father and a master.

Those who fear the Lord receive healing and shall 'grow up as calves of the stall', meaning to be nourished and well-provided for.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

Love has been matured among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him. There is no fear in love, but mature love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been matured in love. (1 John 4:17-18)

From this I read, that fear is a reasonable response in the beginning, but in maturity - God casts that fear out by making us like Him.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Fear of the Lord ​

Definition:

• Be in Awe
• To Have Reverence for
  
• To Adore
• To Honor
• Hold in High Esteem
• To Worship
• To Have Confidence In
• To Be Thankful / Offer Thanksgivings
• To Love
• To Respect
• To Fear

To Fear:

• Fear of Judgment
• Fear of Disappointing
• Fear of Offending
• Fear of Hurting
• Fear of Making Him Sorrowful
• Dread of Displeasing Him

Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.”

Deuteronomy 14:23 You shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.

Job 28:28 “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’

Psalm 33:8 "Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him."

Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments"

Malachi 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear?

Colossians 3:22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

---

Would anyone be willing to share more scriptures regarding the Fear of the Lord? Commentaries regarding the Fear of the Lord; definitions etc.

When we learn to fear Jesus through awe, reverence, respect, love, honor, worship we lose our natural fears of this world- sickness, sorrow, death etc.

I was just watching a sermon today on this very topic.

 

[tturt]

-Having the fear of the Lord means we love what He loves and hates what He hates (Psa 97:10, Pro 6:16-19).
-When we have the fear of the Lord then we can have His wisdom, knowledge, instruction, and have the fountain of life (Pro 1:7, 9:10, 14:27).
- We're to teach children to have the fear of the Lord (Psa 34:11).
- Churches walked in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31).
- "...we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:" Heb 22:28 Having the fear of the Lord is the true and acceptable way of worshipping the Lord (Benson commentary).

 

[tturt]

There's different types of fear in Scripture.

There's the type of being afraid, terrified "I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain...." Deu 5:5

But this type of fear means we have such a reverential fear and awe of the Lord that it guides us.

Here's a couple of verses about this type of fear:
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire." Heb 12:28-29

"The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding." Pro 9:10

 

[HIM]

There is a fear OF the Lord which He gives us and there is a fear of the Lord where we understand His righteousness and power.

 

[tturt]

That is an interesting statement and would appreciate any elaboration on it.

It would explain -

The Spirit of the Lord isThe Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (Isa 11). "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me." (Jer 32:40)

Based on these Scriptures, there is the position and rightly so that when we become believers we automatically have the fear of the Lord. I've been trying to marry those with these "For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:" (Pro 1:29). "Therefore, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God." 2Co 7:1. Also, why don't we, His church, hate what He hates and love what He loves? (Psa 97:10, Pro 6:16-19).

 

[honey badger]

That is an interesting statement and would appreciate elaborating on it.

But this would explain -

The Spirit of the Lord isThe Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (Isa 11). "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me." (Jer 32:40) Based on these Scriptures, there is the position and rightly so that when we become believers we automatically have the fear of the Lord. I've been trying to marry that with this "For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:" (Pro 1:29). Also, why don't we, His church, hate what He hates and love what He loves? (Psa 97:10, Pro 6:16-19).

there are two types of knowledge as there are two types of wisdom and understanding ... one from within ( seed of the women ) and one from without ( seed of the serpent ) ....

 

[tturt]

How to have the fear of the Lord:
"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" Pro 2:1-5.

 

[Benjamin Müller]

• Joshua 24:14-15 "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

• Proverbs 1:27-31 “When your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies.”
  
  @tturt In following your quote on:
  
  How to Fear the Lord
  
  • Receive the Word of God [Proverbs 2:1-5]
  • Keep His Commandments [Proverbs 2:1-5]
    
  • Incline Your Ear to Wisdom [Proverbs 2:1-5]
    
  • Apply Heart to Understanding [Proverbs 2:1-5]
    
  • Seek Knowledge [Proverbs 2:1-5]
    
  • Serve Him in Sincerity [Joshua 24:14]
    
  • Serve Him in Truth [Joshua 24:14]
    
  • Put Away Other Gods - Idols [Joshua 24:14]

How NOT to Fear the Lord

• Hate Knowledge [Proverbs 1:29]
  
• Choosing NOT to Fear Lord [Proverbs 1:29]
  
• Refusing God's Counsel [Proverbs 1:30]
  
• Despising God's Rebuke [Proverbs 1:30]

Which means we can can choose whether or not to fear the Lord. Refusing His Counsel: if the Lord guides us one direction and we rebel against that guidance we are refusing His counsel and not fearing the Lord. If we despise God's rebuke and chastening, we are not fearing the Lord.

Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law

1 Corinthians 11:32 "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world."

If we are chastened, we are being judged, and if we despise God's chastening, we despise His judgment and thus His law, and have come contrary to the law and are antichrist.

 

[Benjamin Müller]

It's written to Honor thy Mother and Father, and God is our Heavenly Father whom we're suppose to honor.

The Fear of the Lord isn't based in expectant abuse and trembling, it's based in honor and reverence.

I'm an adult but I 'fear' my earthly father--I'm afraid to do something he would disapprove of; something he would frown upon and shake his head at. I want my dad to be proud of me. I know I'm loved, but there's a need to maintain and build upon that love. So I'm not going to do anything to fracture that love.

If I disappointed my dad or hurt him in anyway, it would crush me. I wouldn't be afraid of punishment, but afraid that our bond was wounded. I don't want to lose my good and loving relationship with my dad and if I did anything to threaten that, I'd be terrified.

That's how we are to be with our Heavenly Father. Yes, he has the power to punish us if he needs to, but if we truly love him, our punishments are relegated to the convictions of our heart, not in some severe chastening. If we suffer chastening, many times those are merely the consequences of our actions.

 

[Benjamin Müller]

Let us view the following verse:

Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.”

This would seem contradictory, but we see there are two different types of fear being used in the aforementioned verse. We are told not to be afraid of God, yet, he is testing the people in order that they fear him. Obviously the intent is not to terrify the people with malevolent intent, but to strike their hearts with awe, wonder and reverence in order that they give due honor to the Lord. A witnessing of his power would be a deterrent of sin.

Moses comforting words to the congregation of Israel of 'do not be afraid'; are still relevant today. For as John wrote:

1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

But the fear of Him: giving him honor and reverence, is required: and is a natural act of love towards Him.

If we love him we do not fear him, for he loves us. Our fear is not as a child who receives unwarranted abuse and lives in terror of his/her father. A child who receives chastening for warranted cause, knows: for example, playing ball in the house is wrong. And if he should break something, he is in fear of punishment for breaking dad's rule. As there is a clear consequence for going contrary to the law of the house. Likewise, the fear of God, prevents us from breaking God's law. For if we break the law, we know there are consequences.

The fear of God will convict our hearts and naturally lead us to repentance. And we have a Great God who is willing to forgive us our trespasses, but that is not a green-light to continue to go against him.

Romans 6:1-2 What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?

 

[Benjamin Müller]

Christ was the God of the Old Testament as he is the God of the New.

John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

John 15:10 "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."

1 Thessalonians 4:1 "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more."

Romans 2:29 "No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code."

The message of Exodus 20:20 was not given only to the Israelites, but also to the Mixed Multitude who came out of Egypt with them. The mixed mulitude is the first example of Gentiles being grafted into Israel. Regardless if some of the laws of the Old Testament have changed according to Christ becoming the Passover Lamb etc., the message is the same. Exodus 20 recounts the 10 commandments, which are still valid commandments. Those laws are not void. As we see Christ mentioning those specific commandments in Luke 18:18-21

We are to be Jews inwardly: to walk as Christ walked and to obey his commandments. Obeying His commandments is love and we know as previously laid out in Post #12, that keeping the commandments of God equates to the Fear of God.

 

[tturt]

Also, the fear of man contrast with the fear of the Lord. "The Lord of hosts—regard Him as holy and honor His holy name [by regarding Him as your only hope of safety], and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread [lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him" (Isa 8:13).

King Saul failed in Yahweh's sight because he didn't obey what God said and based his decisions on what the people desired instead of what Yahweh wanted. Sauls' fear of man is shown "...And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, ..." and "...I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice." I Sam 13 and 15.

Both Saul and David sinned and repented but Saul's heart was still to please the people. Even when Samuel told him plainly why God was rejecting him, "Saul said, I have sinned; yet honor me now, I pray you, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord your God." While David's heart was about pleasing Yahweh by following Him, His word, His ways.

Having the fear of God means we hold Yahweh in such high regard, respect and reverential awe that it is the deciding factor; that we obey Him instead of following what man thinks or wants. Plus it's recorded that King Saul said he had obeyed what God said so he was deceived. It says of King Saul "I thought." so sometimes it's our own thinking that needs to change (Prov 9:10).

 

[tturt]

"Having the fear of the Lord means we love what He loves and hates what He hates (Psa 97:10, Pro 6:16-19) such as:
"These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Pro 6
-The occult practices such as in Deu 18; Dan 2; II Kings 9, 21; Jer 8.
-Not following the 10 commandments.

Then there's loving what God loves. God is love. There's many things God wants us to do. Of course, we can't do them without His help.
-"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Matt 22
-"For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." I John 3:11
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." I John 5:2
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." I John 4:8

"Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face." Psa 89:14

-"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matt 5:9
-"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" Rom 8:16
-"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;" Eph 5:1
-"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Rom 8:14

Also, "For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit." Rom 8:5

 

[Soyeong]

Fear of the Lord ​

Definition:

• Be in Awe
• To Have Reverence for
  
• To Adore
• To Honor
• Hold in High Esteem
• To Worship
• To Have Confidence In
• To Be Thankful / Offer Thanksgivings
• To Love
• To Respect
• To Fear

To Fear:

• Fear of Judgment
• Fear of Disappointing
• Fear of Offending
• Fear of Hurting
• Fear of Making Him Sorrowful
• Dread of Displeasing Him

Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.”

Deuteronomy 14:23 You shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.

Job 28:28 “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’

Psalm 33:8 "Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him."

Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments"

Malachi 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear?

Colossians 3:22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

---

Would anyone be willing to share more scriptures regarding the Fear of the Lord? Commentaries regarding the Fear of the Lord; definitions etc.

The Hebrew word "pachad" refers to the type of fear that causes us to want to run away and hide while "yireh" refers to the type of fear that causes us to want to see and run towards someone. In other words, there is a type of fear where we don't want to be close to someone and a type of fear where we don't want to be separated from someone, and the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom is the latter.

 

[HIM]

There is fear of the Lord and fearing God. We are given both and should always have both. However the latter one becomes more reverent, but there should always be trembling aspect too.

The Hebrew word "pachad" refers to the type of fear that causes us to want to run away and hide while "yireh" refers to the type of fear that causes us to want to see and run towards someone. In other words, there is a type of fear where we don't want to be close to someone and a type of fear where we don't want to be separated from someone, and the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom is the latter.

 

[Benjamin Müller]

• Philippians 2:12 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling"
• Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
• Matthew 15:9 "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

We all need to seek out our own salvation with fear and with trembling. Philippians shows that it is impossible to acquire salvation without the Fear of God. Although salvation is a free gift, being flippant against God can cause one to lose that free gift of salvation.

However, we must be careful that our Fear of God is not taught by the precept of man, but that God teaches us the Fear of Him. Isaiah and Matthew show that it's possible to worship God in vain by only providing lip-service, yet having hearts far removed from God.

• Psalms 103:17-18 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

• Proverbs 16:6 In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
• Matthew 22:36-37 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Fearing the Lord means:

• Keeping His Covenant
• Remembering His Commandments
• Doing the Commandments
• Departing from Evil
• Loving God with all our Heart, Soul and Mind

By doing so, God promises

• Everlasting Mercy
• Righteousness to 2nd and 3rd generations
• Atonement for Iniquity*

*Although Proverbs 16:6 doesn't explicitly state that atonement is provided for those who Fear the Lord, we can extrapolate that by God extending everlasting mercy and what is recounted in:

1st John 2:1-6 "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. [2] He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

[3] By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. [4] If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. [5] But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: [6] Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.

FALSE FEAR

We must be careful that we do not offer God lip-service only. We can say that we 'know Him', but if we are not obeying His commands and walking as He walked then we worship in vain; are liars; and the truth is not in us. We may think that we have the Fear of the Lord, but we deceive ourselves.


Questions to Ask Ourselves

• Where did I learn the Fear of the Lord? Through God or by the precepts of men?
• Do I offer lip-service to God; honoring Him only with my mouth?
  
• Is my heart far removed from God; or do I love God with my whole heart, soul and mind [Matt. 22:36-37]
• Do I keep the covenant?
• Do I remember the commandments?
• Do I do the commandments?
• Do I depart from evil?