Fear of the Lord

“Fear of the Lord” is a reverential term (not a scary term). However, the scriptures convey far superior and a significantly deeper meaning in this Phrase “Fear of the Lord”. 

As you will see... this phrase “calls for action”, “special-relationship”, “Moral-Justice”, “Improve-life”, “Church-multiplication”, “Blessings”, “Christian-ceremonial-cleansing”... and a lot more.

This is One-phrase every believer must bear in mind and carry through entire life’s journey. “Fearing-God” is the “Full-Duty” of Man as commissioned by God... we will see this through the thoughts of King Solomon.

TERMINOLOGY:

1. English Phrase : Fear of the Lord:

2. Hebrew word: Yirah (Moral Reverence, Moral Justice).

Luke 1:50

[50] And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Quick-Note: 

The word “Mercy” in Hebrew is Rakhamim (unlike English word Mercy, “Rakhamim” is plural. Hebrew language does not have singular word). This is critical to our western mindset as when we approach God seeking mercy it seems as though one may exhaust a finite set of Mercies every time we trespass. In Hebrew language “Rakhamim“ implies that Mercies are countless and innumerable just as molecules in air and therefore God is willing to shower never-ending/never-ceasing innumerable mercies despite our ever-failing attempts to walk-perfectly-in-his-righteous-paths.

1 John 4:18

[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment (Punishment). But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Note: 

1. Therefore “Fear” or Greek word “Phobos” cannot be the attitude we should have towards God, instead we are required to have a deep-reverential-respect and obedience.

2. The fear of the Lord is less to do with being scared but rather having the attitude of deep and profound respect. However The Bible also notes that God is extremely powerful, wise and ultimate Judge. His wisdom is unsearchable and His power is immesurable beyond human comprehension. He is also merciful, gracious and longsuffering towards Human beings that He sent His only Son to die on the cross (A blood sacrifice) to establish a pathway for our salvation to rescue us from eternal punishment.

Proverbs 8:13

[13] The fear of the LORD is to hate evil:  pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward (Fraud) mouth, do I hate. 

(Who is “I” here ?? - it is the Wisdom, or the Holy Spirit, in Hebrew ruacḥ ha-qodesh). - entire Proverbs Chapter 8 is Wisdom  (person of Holy Spirit) speaking.

NOW -Hate is a strong word: 

1 John 4:20

• • [20] If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

1 John 3:15

• • [15] Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Note: Here we see “Fear of the Lord” == to Hate Evil (It is an action required by us) - not necessarily pickup a physical fight with Evil, but it expects us to take a decisive position in our hearts towards “Evil”, namely Pride & Arrogance... it’s the matter of where our heart is set.

Proverbs 1:7

[7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 15:33

[33] The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Psalm 111:10  

[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

(In Hebrew: This psalm is Alphabetical - every Verse starts with an Alphabet). 

(It’s A to Z in English). (This Psalm highlights his Character... especially Justice).

Proverbs 10:27

[27] The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.

Proverbs 14:27

[27] The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death (In other words -AVOID DEATH TRAPS).

Proverbs 19:23 (BETTER SLEEP ?)

[23] The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

ISAIAH 33:6 (WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE PRAY)

[6] And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure. 

Proverbs 15:16

[16] Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

Note: In other words… It is the only TOOL-BOX  you will ever need to face life’s unsurmountable challenges.

Proverbs 14:26

[26] In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.

Job 4:6

[6]“Is not your fear of God your confidence, And the integrity of your ways your hope?

PSALM 112:1

How blessed (or Happy) is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments.

PSALM 128:1

[1] … Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. 

[2] When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 

[3] Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 

[4] Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD …

ECCLESIASTES BOOK -CONCLUDING LAST 2 VERSES 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

[13] Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 

[14] For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

Note: 

If you are wondering the summary of the book of Ecclesiastes in just 2 sentences... Solomon gives it in the last chapter of this book in the last 2 verses. Solomon explores life “with God & without God” and he comes to a simple conclusion... 

“LET US HEAR the... Conclusion of the WHOLE MATTER” : To Fear God & Keep his commandments. - He further adds “It is the Whole Duty of Man” - 

Psalm 19:9

[9] The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

CLEAN (Hebrew word for clean here is Taw-hore) >> Meaning you become ceremonially and spiritually clean and morally counted as Righteous. (YOU ARE JUDICIALLY CLEAN).

2 Corinthians 7:1

[1] Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Deuteronomy 10:12

[12] "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

Acts 9:31

[31] Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy SPIRIT, were multiplied.

SEE HOW GOD HIMSELF DESCRIBES IT.

Genesis 22:12

[12] And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."

So we see here... Obedience and willingness to go through whatever physical and emotional boundaries Abraham had to conquer. Abraham could have easily quit with God and walked away. (But he went all the way).

Hebrews 11:7

[7] By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Fear here in Greek (yoo-lab-eh'-om-ahee) >> Moral Justice 

IN SUMMARY: Thus far we have explored that....

FEAR OF THE LORD Gives us... 

1. GIVES US - WISDOM & UNDERSTANDING

2. GIVES US - BETTER LIFE (VOLUME OF LIFE)

3. GIVES US - CONFIDENCE & REFUGE

4. GIVES US - BLESSING & HAPPINESS

5. GIVES US - CLEANING AGENT

6. IT IS THE ESSENCE OF LAW

7. YOU WANT THE CHURCH TO BE MULTIPLIED.

Finally - Everything CULMINATES INTO this final show down.

Revelation 19:4-9

[4] And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” 

[5] Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!" 

[6] And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 

[7] Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." 

[8] And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 

[9] Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” …

Note:

It seems we as His servants are called by a title “Those who fear him” - It doesn’t say those who are from “Brethren Denomination” / Protestants / Roman Catholics / Gentiles / Jews / Nationality / Ethnic / Language / creed.... plainly - we are finally called by “Those who fear him”.

To those believers "who fear God"... everything is due unto them in Christ... and those who do not fear him... they are simply told “Depart from me, I do not know you” just as in the Parable of 10 virgins.- How unfortunate and disappointing would it be?