By: Alice A. Pickens
Many have taught on the fear of the Lord. Some of it has caused fear of our Heavenly Father in ways that were not intended or biblical. It has even put Him in the light of being a harsh and cruel God (He is neither of these). Others have limited it to respect and reverence (which it includes both these). As I have read many articles and researched the scriptures on the “fear of the Lord”, I kept feeling like I was missing something. It wasn’t until I researched the ancient Hebrew that I got a hold of what was absent in my understanding. This has been the case with many truths. The ancient Hebrew has amazing truths to dig out. This is why Proverbs 2:1-6 says: Continue Reading
Proverbs 2:1-6 (KJV) 1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; I would strongly advise you to read these verses over and over again; meditate on them. I believe that as you do, they will tug at your heart giving you a picture of how much God so wants us to seek & treasure His wisdom, knowledge, & understanding. All of it being for our own good and many blessings along the way and eternally. It is also why it is called HIS TREASURE: Isaiah 33:6 (KJV) 6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure. God works continually to try to get His treasure to us. The word treasure is not implying that He is hiding it from us, but it is not available to those He would call His enemies or fools that despise His Word. It is called treasure because it is so valuable and thus protected. Our job is to seek and keep seeking not only Him Himself, but His wisdom and understanding. This following verse (as well as Proverbs 2:6) clearly is the best reference to describing exactly what the ancient Hebrew describes for the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 15:33 (KJV) 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. From the ancient Hebrew the definition of the “fear of the Lord” (Yirah) means “A flowing from the gut” (the gut is the center of your being; it is where you feel things ). What is flowing from His gut? His instruction of wisdom. The “fear of the Lord” is: the flowing of His instruction, His teachings, His commands, His character. It is the “beginning of knowledge & wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 (KJV) 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. In my words, this is what I perceive walking in the fear of the Lord is: As you can see there is no intent here to make you afraid of God, but the opposite. He wants us to draw near to Him, cling to Him, and thus seeking Him and His instruction of wisdom. But at the same time, we need to understand the word INSTRUCTION. Instruction is knowledge, information or an example imparted to provide GUIDANCE, CORRECTION & DISCIPLINE. In order for God to keep us on course, He has to guide us, correct us, & bring discipline. Here is an illustration that I believe gives a good example of the intent of instruction. Picture a ship with a pilot that receives knowledge and information to chart his course. As the pilot precedes on his course, correction is given when the ship gets off course (courses are tweaked constantly). The pilot as well is given the disciplines to keep it on course and get to his destiny. Without knowledge, correction, & discipline we all end up shipwrecked. What is such a blessing is that God’s flow of knowledge and wisdom is a flow from His gut that is continually available. This is really what it means to walk in the fear of the Lord; to walk with Him being in His presence, receiving, listening, and learning. People sat at Jesus feet to hear His Words and He told Mary & Martha; this was the good part. Hearing God’s Words is priceless; more valuable than silver and gold by far. The WISDOM is the skill (ability) to decide or discern between good and evil; right and wrong. This is why the word good means functional and evil means dysfunctional. It applies to doing what is good and right, but also in skills of workmanship and creativity that are good, functional and beneficial. Exodus 35:30-35 (KJV) 30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; 32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 33 And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. 34 And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work. (If you look up the name BEZALEEL it means “In the shadow & protection of God”. Wow, what a blessing of a name)! Notice that it takes wisdom, understanding, & knowledge to be skilled (all brought by and overseen by the Spirit of God). As a teacher our job is to teach what we know, but the greatest is to teach the student how to receive his or her understanding, knowledge, & wisdom directly from God. The Holy Spirit dwelling inside us as our helper, teacher, etc. is such a perfect gift; ABSOLULETLY BRILLIANT on God’s part! John 16:13-15 (KJV) 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 14:15-18 (KJV) 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. The Word comfortless is the same word orphans. It means fatherless. When God sent us the Holy Spirit to be our helper, guide, teacher, He was placing a link right inside of us to the heart of the Father. WE ARE NOT FATHERLESS! Remember Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding and Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words… (IF is a big word)! Receiving His Words is the first step. Then inclining our ears to listen. 1 John 2:20 (KJV) 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 1 John 2:27 (KJV) 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. God’s commands or commandments are really DIRECTIVES. They are directives to keep us on our way of our journey. Our journey of course leads us to dwell in Heaven with Him. We do not want to take any detours or get completely off course. THANK GOD FOR HIS COMMANDS, INSTRUCTION, WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. My husband Randall has said many times that God’s Words are enabling not restrictive. He is so right. God wants to enable us to live our lives victoriously, skillfully and to reach our true destiny…WITH HIM FOREVER! To reiterate: “Walking in the fear of the Lord is “Doing what you got to do to RECEIVE & FOLLOW God’s instruction of wisdom.” The fear of the Lord is the instruction in wisdom. Our Heavenly Father’s desire is to bring us to Him and fulfill our calling (what He needs us to do on our journey). Sometimes He has to chasten us, but we are not to despise the chastening of the Lord; It is part of the instruction. As we know from the scriptures God is full of goodness, mercy, & kindness. Love requires Him to do everything necessary to keep us on course. Let us be diligent to receive, listen, & follow His instructions that we need and are right for us on our journey. We indeed have so much to be thankful for! There is much more to be said about God’s goodness & His wisdom that is available. Let us conclude though with this: He is watching over us to do our job and bring us HOME!
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
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