Fear of God
From Eco-Bible 1
These are notes for an incomplete "Concept" page.
- Information is being added as the Bible Pages are added. In the end, everything will be compiled, further information added (as necessary), broken links connected, etc.
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A concept to consider (and to develop) - how do elements of creation demonstrate (unconsciously) a "fear" of God?
- For the present, potential verses will be located at: All Creation Praises God.
Scripture Pages that Link to Here
- The terrifying sights when God gave the 10 Commandments were intended to give them the "fear of God." They were to fear God, not the sights.
- Exo 20:20 Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won't sin."
- Deu 5:29 Oh that there were such a 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 forever!
- v. 1-2 - Moses was to teach God's commands, statutes, etc., so that the people might obey God, fear him, etc. - both they and their children.
- Deu 6:13 - You shall fear Yahweh your God; and you shall serve him, and shall swear by his name.
- Deu 6:24 - Yahweh commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Yahweh our God - for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as at this day.
- Deu 13:4 - "You shall walk after Yahweh your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and you shall serve him, and cleave to him."
- False prophets test the people, to prove whether or not they will do this.
- Deu 28:58 If you will not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and fearful name, YAHWEH YOUR GOD; ... (the result will be a devastating judgment).
- (The same word is used two ways.) The people "feared" God and Samuel, when Samuel prayed and God sent rain and thunder to punish them, because of their wicked desire to follow a king instead of God. (They were afraid that they would die.) Samuel told them to not be "afraid" (that they would die) but to "fear" and serve God, and to not go after false gods.
1 Kings 8:35-40 & 2 Chronicles 6:26-31
- One of the results of God "rendering to every man according to all his ways." - "that they may fear you."
- "Obadiah feared Yahweh greatly." Because of this, he protected God's prophets. (One's fear of God has an effect on his conduct.)
- All creation is to "fear God" - i.e., "tremble" before him, etc.
- Job feared God. Satan claimed it was with self-centered motives; that is, so that Job could get blessings from God. The rest of the book proves Satan wrong.
- A reason to fear God and be filled with awe: The power and permanence of his word, in contrast to the weakness and short-lived nature of the words of people.
- Nations will be afraid when they see how God takes care of his people.
- The fear of God is one of the intended results of blessing! In this passage, the intention is that God's people are blessed, the surrounding nations observe it, learn about God and his salvation, and finally fear and praise him.
- When the righteous king rules, the "fear of God" will be present.
- Psa 72:5 They shall fear you while the sun endures; and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. (The duration of the sun/moon: figuratively, this means "forever.")
- God's pleasure is not in those who boast of strength and power, but in those who fear him and who put their trust in him.
- We should acknowledge God's sovereignty and respond properly to it. Instead of trying to fight it (which we cannot succeed in doing), we should respond with a trusting, reverential fear! (This is quite different from the terrifying fear that will someday be experienced by those who choose rather to be his enemies, by refusing to have the trusting, reverential type of "fear.")
- Ecc 5:1 - Guard your steps when you go to God's house; ... draw near to listen ... / Ecc 5:2 - ... don't let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. / Ecc 5:7c - ... you must fear God.
- Ecc 12:13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
- People will hide in caves/caverns "from before the terror of Yahweh, and from the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake the earth mightily." They will abandon their idols.
- Those who were originally the oppressors will now be humbled and will submit to God. They will glorify and fear God.
Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.
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