Fear.

Fear.

Can Anyone Relate?

No doubt, this is an emotion that never seems to leave our experience, no matter what we try or do.  For some, it’s the fear of spiders (remember the movie, Arachnophobia…eek), or snakes, or public speaking.  While for others, it’s social situations, fear of the future, fear of failing, uncertainty, and so on.  In fact, a 2005 Gallup survey revealed that the top 5 fears for teens were: (1) terrorist attacks, (2) spiders, (3) death, (4) being a failure, and (5) war.  Likewise, according to a recent MOPS survey, the top five fears for moms were: (1) not being a good mom, (2) my child will be snatched by a stranger, (3) my child will be hurt in an accident, (4) my child not fitting in socially or will get picked on, and (5) my child having a serious illness or disability.  I’m sure reading these lists found some who can relate, no?  The reality is, if you have a pulse you fear something.  But, how does fear fit into the context of the Christian’s life?  Or for anyone’s life for that matter?  Really, the question is, what is a biblical view of fear?  And, subsequently, how does it apply to us today?

The Background.

In Exodus 20, the people of Israel had–at this point–been led from slavery in Egypt to wondering in the Sinai desert by Moses and his brother Aaron.  The LORD continued to display His power before them by performing some incredible signs and wonders.  The Red Sea was divided allowing them to walk on dry land in order to escape from Pharaoh’s pursuit (Ex. 14:22), sweet water miraculously came from a bitter spring in order to satiate their thirst (Ex. 15:25), bread came down from heaven and meat from quail were provided to satisfy their famished appetites (Ex. 16:4, 12), water was again provided miraculously by God through Moses striking a rock (Ex. 17:6), and God provided their first victory in battle against the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-13).  God was with them, provided for their needs, protected them, and was in the process of preparing a way for them to have fellowship with Him–a fellowship lost at Eden.  However, the people were continually forgetful, and continued in sin despite the awesome displays of God’s love and care for them.  It went from grumbling and complaining–desiring to return to slavery in Egypt rather than to trust God–all the way to requesting that Moses’ older brother, Aaron, build them an idol for them to worship, breaking the first two commandment given by God.

New Beginnings.

God called Moses up to Mt. Sinai in order for him to receive God’s initial commands for their new life as His people.  The 10 Commandments were distilled and communicated.  Then, in panic, the people withdrew trembling from this encounter with God.  Exodus 20:18 All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance.”  Fear had taken hold, and the people were retreating.  In fact, they even said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.”  I’m not sure about you, but I can relate to their fear.  They already knew that death would come to anyone who touched the border of the mountain (Ex. 19:12), so in self-preservation, they withdrew in terror when God displayed His majesty.

Drawing a Distinction.

Then comes the moment of clarity…


“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.”
Exodus 20:20


Moses uses two different words to exhort the people, resulting in his final purpose for them not to sin.  The English translations are afraid and fear.  While the two seem very similar, there is actually a profound distinction meant to be drawn here.  One emotion of the people resulted in a rebuke from Moses, and the second emotion was part of a command from Moses as a means of not sinning.  This is incredibly important for us to draw this distinction, but we first must understand the nature of the two words and their respective meanings.

Regarding the first word, afraid, it is actually the Hebrew word that is transliterated as, yare’.  The word means to fear or be afraid, and carries a sense of trembling.

Where have we previously heard this word in the Bible?

  • Adam, in the garden of Eden, “He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” – Gen. 3:10
  • Isaac, lying about his wife Rebekah, “When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful.” – Gen, 26:7
  • Jacob, lying to his father-in-law, “Then Jacob replied to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.” – Gen. 31:31
  • Moses, speaking to the people of God as they were trying to go back to slavery in Egypt before crossing the Red Sea, But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” – Exodus 14:13-14

What are the similarities in each of these situations?  For the most part, it is a fear that is wrought from self-preservation.  What stands at the core of this type of fear?  A lack of trust or faith in God.  Ultimately, this lack of faith boils down to pride hiding as the root of this type of fear.  Pride by simply believing that your own way of doing things is the best way.  In other words, pride in the faith of self standing above and opposed to faith and trust in God.

Regarding the second word, fear, it is actually the Hebrew word that is transliterated as, yir’ah‘.  The word means to fear or to revere, and carries a sense of holy fear wrought out of reverence.

Where have we previously heard this word in the Bible?

  • The people of God, immediately following God’s parting of the Red Sea, “Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.– Ex. 14:30-31 
  • Jeremiah, talking about the New Covenant, “I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.” – Jer. 32:40
  • David, in the Psalms, “Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling.” – Ps. 2:11
  • Job, in his misery, “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ” – Job 28:28
  • Solomon, writing his Proverbs, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Pr. 1:7

Likewise, what are the similarities in each of these situations?  For the most part, it is a fear that is wrought from a trust in God.  What stands at the core of this type of fear?  A belief that God is faithful as a Guide and Provider.

Bringing it Home.

Moses draws a clear distinction between these two Hebrew words, afraid and fear, and he does so to make a point.  His point is, proper fear keeps you from sinning.  There is an improper fear that is wrought in pride and leads to sin, and there is a proper fear that is wrought in God, that is to say, trusting His character that keeps you from sinning.  The trust, then, is not based upon the character of the person, but rather on the character of God.  That’s it, fear is good when it has God as its source, because its moorings are on God’s character, and the result keeps you from sinning.  Incredible.  Glory to God, fear is good, namely, fear of God–wrought out of reverence for Him!

But, how are we to understand this type of fear of God?  I mean, you have heard you are to fear God, but do you really know what that means practically speaking?  It’s somewhat befuddling when you really stop and think about it, but I do believe there is a way through that might help us to walk as Christians in our world today fearing God properly.

  • First point, is that many seem to focus on a fear of God that carries a negative nuance or tone.  Such focus is placed too heavily on considering His wrath and judgment, which then becomes their motivation for fearing Him.  While recognizing that His judgment is to come is certainly a part of God’s dealing with His people, however, it isn’t the full story.  With that said, we have to agree with the author of Hebrews that, “…it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment…”, so judgment is pending for everyone.  We also have to affirm that God’s wrath waits for those who are outside of Christ (John 3:36, Eph. 2:1-8, etc.), so there is a final judgment eternally removing those who are not part of God’s family from His fellowship forever.  And we also have to affirm that even the Christian will face the judgment of God (1 Cor. 3:10-15), which will test the quality of their deeds.  However, it is vitally important for our Christian lives that we also deeply and profoundly consider the other dimension regarding the fear of God.
  • Thus, the second point, is that the fear of God also carries a positive nuance, in that He is restoring the relationship that was broken because of sin in the Garden of Eden.  Take Mt. Sinai referenced in Exodus 20, God dwells in unapproachable light, and in power that is beyond our understanding or measuring.  His presence is everywhere, at all times, and without division.  He is eternal, which means that He has always existed.  Because of this, He is the Creator of all things, and so everything that we see to have been made has come from Him.  He is infinite, meaning that He is outside of limits, and not bound to any law or code or restriction.  There is nothing that can measure God, contain God, or bind God.  Words fail, pictures pale, and time ceases when we put them in the context of trying to understand the great and awesome God over all things.  Thus, when He displays His power through His creation, and the result is lighting and thundering and rumbling, there should then be the most grateful cry of heart-felt, soul-searching joy because God has made Himself known.  Since the Garden of Eden, and the fellowship that was allowed between God and man was broken, God, in His love chose to make a way for fellowship to be restored.  The fellowship throughout the Hebrew Bible was one of covenants that were mere shadows of the ultimate covenant and fellowship that God would bring about through His Son, Jesus Christ.  This is where our fear of God is profoundly understood–God has made a way for us to fellowship with Him by displaying His awesome power through Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the grave.  Thus, in light of this demonstration of power we draw near in fear of Him with holy reverence to the Well-spring of our salvation–Christ Jesus, our Lord.  This is the ultimate restoration and reconciliation of man back to God on the basis of God’s free-grace and love.  Christ, who lived a perfect life, was able to offer His life as an acceptable sacrifice to God by dying in the place of His people paying the penalty for their sin.  This is the glorious exchange–His life for yours–that requires you to transfer your trust from yourself to Him!  Will you live in the fear of God, beholding His awesome power, drawing near to Him on the basis of Christ’s finished work on the cross, and at the same time holding in balance the reality of His judgment with the reality of His act of love by providing a way to fellowship with Him?

In conclusion, the proper fear of God considers not only the judgment of God, but also the love of God in restoring us to fellowship with Him, which draws us near to God and results in a life that battles well against sin.

Glory to God in highest, and on earth, peace!  Let’s walk daily in the fear of God!

 

— March 11, 2016