Fear and the Fear Of God

Fear and the Fear of God.

Psalm 2:11.

Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.

The Fear of God (Old Testament).

Deuteronomy 32:32-43.

There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand. I lift my hand to heaven and solemnly swear:

As surely as I live forever, when I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me. I will make my arrows drunk with blood, while my sword devours flesh: the blood of the slain and the captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.

Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people.

The Fear of God (New Testament).

Hebrews 10:24-31.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

The Fear of God (New Testament).

Hebrews 10:24-31 (Continued)

Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

For we know him who said, It is mine to avenge; I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people.

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Fear, Fearful, Fearfulness.

[Adjective] phoberos "fearful" (akin to phobos)

Is used only in the Active sense in the NT:

i.e., “causing fear, terrible,”

Heb 10:27, 31.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

The Fear of God.

In the Old Testament “Fear of God” scriptures, the word “fear” is derived from Hebrew words such as

yir’ah (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; Psalm 2:11; 19:9; 34:11),

yare’ (Psalm 33:8; 86:11; Jeremiah 5:22; Ecclesiastes 12:1) pachad (Job 23:15), which actually mean “fear,” “terror,” or “dread.”

Although many Christian teachers will downplay the “fear of God” and use replacement words such as “respect,” “reverence,” or “honour,” the Hebrew language is pretty clear.

http://www.allaboutgod.com/ fear-of-god.htm

What does it mean to fear God? www.christianitytoday.com

I often hear people explain the fear of the Lord as a mere respect or reverence. But the Bible uses the word fear at least 300 times in reference to God, so we make a mistake when we downplay it. The subject becomes even more mysterious when we read something like 1 John 4:18 that says that "perfect love expels all fear." So how do we marry this dichotomy? How can we fear God while he expels all fear? Scripture is full of examples of how fearing God is a positive rather than a negative thing. For example in Genesis 42:18, Joseph wins his brothers' trust when he declares he is a God-fearing man. It was because the midwives feared God that they obeyed him instead of the authorities by sparing the Hebrew babies (Exodus 1:17

What does it mean to fear God? www.christianitytoday.com

Pharaoh brought disaster on his nation because he did not fear God (Exodus 9:29-31). Moses chose leaders to help him on the basis that they feared God and wouldn't take bribes (Exodus 18:21) and told the Hebrews that God met with them in a terrifying display of his power so that they wouldn't sin (Exodus 20:20). The Mosaic Law cites fear of God as a reason to treat the disabled and elderly well (Leviticus 19:14, 32). And lest you think this is only an Old Testament idea, note that Jesus states this stronger than anyone when he says, "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).

What does it mean to fear God? www.christianitytoday.com

Unfortunately, many of us presume that the world is the ultimate threat and that God's function is to offset it. How different this is from the biblical position that God is far scarier than the world… When we assume that the world is the ultimate threat, we give it unwarranted power, for in truth, the world's threats are temporary. When we expect God to balance the stress of the world, we reduce him to the world's equal… As I walk with the Lord, I discover that God poses an ominous threat to my ego, but not to me. He rescues me from my delusions, so he may reveal the truth that sets me free. He casts me down, only to lift me up again. He sits in judgment of my sin, but forgives me nevertheless. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but love from the Lord is its completion.

Fear, Fearful, Fearfulness.

Vine's Greek New Testament Dictionary

Nouns

Phobos

Deilia

Eulabeia

Adjectives

Phoberos (Terrible fear)

Deilos (Cowardly fear)

Ekphobos: stresses the intensity of the "fear,"

Entromos: the inward effect, "I inwardly tremble (or quake)."

Fearful, Fearfulness.

(see deilia), "timid," used in

deilia "fearfulness" (from deos, "fright"), is rightly rendered "fearfulness" in 2 Tim 1:7, RV (for AV, "fear").

That spirit is not given us of God.

[Adjective] deilos "cowardly" The word denotes "cowardice and timidity" and is never used in a good sense, as phobos is

2 Timothy 1:7.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Fearful, Fearfulness.

[Adjective] deilos "cowardly" (see deilia), "timid," used in

Matt 8:26.

He replied, You of little faith, why are you so afraid? Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Mark 4:40.

He said to his disciples, Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?

Rev 21:8.

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars, they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

The Fear of God will keep us from sin.

Exodus 20:18-20.

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distanceand said to Moses, Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die. 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.

Fear, Fearful, Fearfulness.

Vine's Greek New Testament Dictionary

Nouns

Phobos

Deilia

Eulabeia

Adjectives

Phoberos (Terrible fear)

Deilos(Cowardly fear)

Ekphobos: stresses the intensity of the "fear,"

Entromos: the inward effect, "I inwardly tremble (or quake)."

The Fear of God.

Heb 12:20-21. If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death. The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear.

terrifying φοβερὸν (phoberon) Strong's Greek 5398: Fearful, dreadful, terrible.

trembling ἔντρομος (entromos) Strong's Greek 1790: Trembling with fear, terrified.

with fear Ἔκφοβός (Ekphobos) Strong's Greek 1630: Greatly terrified, horrified.

The Fear of God will keep us from sin.

Hebrews 12:18-25.

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.

The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear.

The Fear of God will keep us from sin.

Hebrews 12:18-25.

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.

You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.

If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?

The Fear of God.

Hebrews 12:25-29.

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. The words once more indicate the removing of what can be shaken, that is, created things, so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

The Fear of God (Old Testament).

Six chapters into the Bible and God wipes out the whole of mankind except for 8 people.

Genesis 6:7& 16-23.

So the LORD said, I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created, and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground…..

The Fear of God (Old Testament).

Genesis 6:7& 16-23 (continued)

Every living thing that moved on land perished, birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died… ..Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.

The Fear of God (Old Testament).

God’s end-time Judgement predicted before the Cross.

Isaiah 24:1 & 3-5. See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants… The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The Lord has spoken this word. The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left.

The Fear of God (New Testament).

2 Peter 3:3-17.

But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire,

being kept for the day of judgment

and destruction of the ungodly.

The Fear of God (New Testament).

2 Peter 3:3-17 (continued)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.

The heavens will disappear with a roar;

the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

The Fear of God (New Testament).

2 Peter 3:3-17 (continued)

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him…….Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

The Fear of God (New Testament).

Revelation 8:7-13.

The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water, the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

The Fear of God.

The Old Testament is full of examples of how God dealt with the sin and disobedience of His chosen people Israel.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13.

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

The Fear of God.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 (continued)

Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.

We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

The Fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 28:14. ESV

Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

The Old Testament places its emphasis on the fear, the New Testament on the love, though there was love in the fear of God's saints then, as there must be fear in their love now.

who fears (מְפַחֵ֣ד) me·fa·ched 6342: to dread, be in dread or in awe

The Fear of God.

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.

Death as a means of discipline for the righteous.

Ananias and Sapphire struck down dead for lying.

Acts 5:1-10.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.Peter asked her, Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land? Yes, she said, that is the price. Peter said to her, How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.

At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Fear, Fearful, Fearfulness.

Phobos

Acts 2:43.

Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

The Fear of God will keep us from fearing man.

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Hebrews 13:6.

So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

The Fear of God is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Exodus 1:17.

The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.

Exodus 18:21.

But select capable men from all the people, men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain, and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Acts 10:1-2.

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Acts 10:33-35.

So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.

Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

The Fear of God keeps our spiritual ears open.

Why did Jesus speak in parables, do you think it was to tell stories that were easy to understand?

Matthew 13:10-15. The disciples came to him and asked, Why do you speak to the people in parables? …… This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.

The Fear of the Lord is a choice.

Proverbs 1:28-31.

Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD.

Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

The Fear of the Lord must be learnt.

Deuteronomy 31:11-13.

When all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. Assemble the people, men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns, so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.

Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

Psalm 34:11.

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

The Lord guides & confides in those who fear Him.

Psalm 25:12.

Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.

They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.

The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

The Fear of the Lord brings health.

Proverbs 3:7-8.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

The Fear of the Lord brings….

The Fear of the Lord brings protection.

Psalm 34:7.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

The Fear of the Lord brings provision.

Psalm 34:9.

Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.

The Fear of the Lord brings contentment.

Proverbs 19:23.

The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Fear, Fearful, Fearfulness.

Vine's Greek New Testament Dictionary

Nouns

Phobos

Deilia

Eulabeia

Adjectives

Phoberos (Terrible fear)

Deilos (Cowardly fear)

Ekphobos: stresses the intensity of the "fear,"

Entromos: the inward effect, "I inwardly tremble (or quake)."

Fear, Fearful, Fearfulness.

Eulabeia: The Greek word is eulabeia (#2124 εὐλάβεια), and it is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in Hebrews

Hebrews 5:7. During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Hebrews 12:28-29. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Fear and the Fear of God.

Psalm 34:4.

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

When we fear the Lord, we don’t need to fear man, and we don’t need to fear Satan and the powers of darkness and we don’t need to fear the future or anything else.

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