The Fear

Of the many names used for God in the Bible, one of the most interesting is the Fear, found only in Genesis 31. When making a pact with his father-in-law, Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac.

Later Moses taught his people to fear God:

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, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).

Fear in this case brings mixed feelings of respect and dread. It only takes a cursory reading of the Bible to know one cannot remain flippant about the Lord.

Jesus reminded his listeners about such fear:

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 (Matthew 10:28).

Fearing the Lord leads to thinking of the Lord with reverence and awe. Should we be frightened of the Lord? Yes, at times, because he holds our eternal destiny in his hands. Should we find comfort in the Lord? Yes, at all times, because he is good and compassionate and merciful and holds our eternal destiny in his hands.

Fear the Lord. Let the wonderment found in God lead you to serve him, to care for your neighbors and love your enemies. Because a proper fear of the Lord leads you and me straight into his goodness and mercy.

Genesis 31 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Alfred Aloushy