The Fear of the Lord
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Fear, in the bible, is referred to in many different definitions and contexts.
Fear of judgement or wrath
Fear as awe: being in awe of God for who he is.
Fear in reverence and respect
It is a religious expression conveying either devotional piety or the dread of punishment. The term “Lord” in this context refers to Yahweh.
Devotional piety means:
marked by or showing reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship
dutifulness in religion : devoutness
In other words.....”the fear of the Lord” is in essence, showing reverence for a deity which includes an outward showing by divine worship....
devoted to a pursuit, belief, or mode of behavior with an outward show of a life reflecting serious, earnest servitude and behavior.....in short “Obedience”
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Biblical Relevance
Biblical Relevance
The act of fearing Yahweh is discussed throughout the Old Testament. The concept “fear of the Lord” occurs most prominently in the Old Testament’s Wisdom Literature, where it is described as both the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10) and the responsibility of all humanity (Eccl 12:13).
the beginning of wisdom:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
the responsibility of all humanity:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
“The fear of the Lord” Is at the very core, the foundational principle of service and devotion to God.
This was and is an expression of corporate Israelite religion—the religious system of worshiping Yahweh. In this sense, “fear of the Lord” is an essential component of Israel’s theology (Perdue, Wisdom and Creation, 78–79). It essentially means faith in Yahweh.
2. It was as a description of personal piety—the act of worshiping and obeying Yahweh. In Deuteronomy 5:29
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
In other words, one of the keys for all things to be well with the Israelites was that they would fear God and keep all his commandments always.
The whole of the Israelite religion is based on the idea of “The fear of the Lord”.
this in turn equates to a life controlled and guided by this principle.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
This is showing us that the way we perfect Holiness is in the “Fear of the Lord”
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
We see that working out our own salvation with fear and trembling doesn’t mean doing whatever it is we see fit or feel like we should but rather, working out our own salvation in Holiness unto God.
We see the acceptable way to serve God is through reverence and Godly fear
A life that then reflects:
Identity: who we are and what we stand for
Reverence
Honor
worship
Faith
Obedience
Wisdom and Instruction
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
We see that the acceptable way to serve God is through reverence and Godly fear
Even though we read in the old testament that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom....The new testament we see that the book of John says that perfect love casteth out all fear.
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.
This is a different type of fear and is, in the Greek, a completely different word.
this is referring to God’s love towards us in that
that God so loved us that he gave his son to be our propitiation.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
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.
We see that this type of fear is the fear of judgement....the fear of the punishment for our sinful ways.....the penalty of sin is death....James 1.15
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Respecting God as God is the indispensable starting point, without which it is impossible to understand the various descriptions of daily life found in the rest of the book.
In this verse, we see again that “the fear of the Lord” is again the beginning of knowledge....but it goes on to say that fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary (Wilson) (Comment)
In parallel with this fear of the LORD saying is a reminder about the importance of knowledge of God..... or perhaps even ‘knowing God’ in a relational sense.
In line with “fear of the Lord” there is the sense or requirement that a relationship is an important part of fearing the Lord.
The Hebrew words for knowing and knowledge are not simply about ‘head knowledge’, but often imply a relationship. Knowing God is crucial to understanding this world and how to live in it, as well as understanding God as it would relate to our commitment to service to him.
The concern of the book of Proverbs is rather about how to act in daily life…but not only that but how it relates to life built on the foundation of knowing and respecting God.
So we see that the fear of the Lord is not a fear of judgement or punishment to the believer, but rather a way of life…a level of respect and service…including knowledge, wisdom and honor.
IT IS A WAY OF LIFE
To the unbeliever it is fear and torment…but to the believer, perfect love casteth out all fear.......
Its about engaging a perfect walk with God…not because we are perfect but rather, because he is being perfected in us
A walk that is based on:
Utmost respect
Honor
Reverence
worship
Faith and Obedience
And last but not least: Wisdom and Instruction
The bible says that a fool despiseth wisdom
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool To get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
A man that despises spiritual wisdom and understanding the bible says, is a foolish man....not walking in “the fear of the Lord”, he has become comfortable in his folly
It is a foolish thing to live in this life not considering eternal things....to consider this life, that is a matter of years, over eternity....an eternity that is never ending and irreversible.
A direction and way that is chosen…The choice that is eternal separation from God and unto death or a way that is unto life everlasting.
The choice seems simple......Chose you this day whom ye will serve.