FEELINGS OF FEAR --- PART 1

We use the word [fear] to describe a feeling of dread for the future and some people claim that this kind of fear is what drives us to practice religion. But humanity’s need for YHVH cannot be so simply explained. The Bible uses the word [fear] in many ways that we do not. Biblical fear is not just a dread of the future, especially not the fear of YHVH -- which is more like a feeling of worship or awed respect. The simpler kind of fear appears in the Bible as well: we are told that: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim -- Hebrews 10:31, and Yeshua taught that we should fear YHVH because He has the power to punish sin and destroy sinners -- Luke 12:4-5. Fear can help people to realize that they need YHVH’s forgiveness. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve hide fearfully from YHVH after disobeying Him. Fear is a natural consequence of sin -- Genesis 3:10; 4:13-14; Proverbs 28:1 and the Bible shows a great many people who are plagued with deep anxiety [e.g., Cain, Saul, Ahaz and Pilate]. Anxious fear seizes the wicked -- Job 15:24, surprises the hypocrite -- Isaiah 33:14 and consumes evildoers -- Psalm 73:19, whose faithless lives are full of fear -- Revelation 21:8. Pharaoh’s mighty army was paralyzed by fear as YHVH moved against them -- Exodus 15:16 and Job’s friend Bildad spoke of people being driven to their knees by the judgments of YHVH -- Job 18:11. Fear often does one of two things: it freezes people up, making them unable to act or it seriously affects their behaviour. Saul’s fear of the people caused him to sin against the Commandment of YHVH -- 1 Samuel 15:24. The parents whose blind son was miraculously healed by Yeshua were afraid to support Moshiach because they feared the Jews -- John 9:22. In the parable of the talents Yeshua told of a man whose fear prevented him from doing his duty -- Matthew 25:25. Yeshua Moshiach by His death, resurrection and heavenly intercession for believers, delivers us from fear. The apostle Paul encouraged the Romans -- Romans 8:15 by telling them that in their conversion to Moshiach they received Ruach HaKodesh, not a spirit of fear and bondage, but a spirit of adoption, through which they could address YHVH as [Abba]. This is the Word Yeshua used when talking to His heavenly Father and which believers may also use in speaking to YHVH -- Galatians 4:6. If we have received YHVH’s Love, our anxieties and fears can be cast out -- 1 John 4:18. Unnecessary fear can harm the people of YHVH. Jeremiah was warned by YHVH not to fear his opponents -- Jeremiah 1:8. YHVH gives similar warnings to Ezekiel and to a great many others -- Joshua 1:7-9; Ezekiel 2:6. Even believers are tempted to fear and may be temporarily overwhelmed by it -- Psalm 55:5. Therefore, YHVH repeatedly counsels His people not to give in to the temptation of fear -- Isaiah 8:12; John 14:1, 27. He tells them to cast their anxieties upon YHVH, whose care for His sheep is infinite -- 1 Peter 5:7. Faith then, is the only way to fearlessness, as Isaiah tells us: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee -- Isaiah 26:3. The psalmists repeatedly mention the need for faith to conquer fear -- Psalms 37:1; 46:2; 112:7. Genuine faith is expressed in and full of, an awe and reverence for YHVH and this is the basic meaning of the biblical idea of [fearing YHVH.] Unless we personally realize the awesome and majestic power of YHVH, it is impossible to have meaningful faith in one’s heart -- Psalms 5:7; 89:7. Though believers should be free from the fear of humans -- Hebrews 13:6, death -- 2:15 and life in general -- 2 Timothy 1:6-7, they must never lose their sense of the awe of YHVH. Such awareness not only leads to true wisdom -- Psalm 111:10 but also provides direction for the child of YHVH throughout life -- Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:12. Those who love YHVH learn about this kind of fear by searching the Scriptures -- Proverbs 2:3-5, the Word of YHVH. In Acts 10:2 Cornelius and his family were called [YHVH-fearers] because of their high respect for the YHVH of Israel and because they stood in awe of Him. True reverence for YHVH must be expressed in good works and holy living -- 2 Corinthians 7:1. This holy fear actually brings joy -- Psalm 2:11 and a [fountain of life] -- Proverbs 14:27. The fear of Adonai is more valuable than riches -- 15:16 because Adonai takes pleasure in those who hold Him in such high regard -- Psalm 147:11.

APPROPRIATE FEAR

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEAR YHVH?

FEAR OF YHVH IS MOTIVATED BY HIS AWESOME POWER AND JUSTICE.

And now Israel, what does Adonai your Elohim require of you? He requires you to fear Him, to live according to His Will, to love and worship Him with all your heart and soul, and to obey Adonai’s Commands and Laws that I am giving you today for your own good. -- Deuteronomy 10:12-13. In saying that Adonai is YHVH of gods and Adonai of lords, Moses was distinguishing the true Elohim from all the local gods worshiped throughout the land. Then Moses went a step further, calling YHVH mighty and awesome. He has such awesome power and justice that people cannot stand before Him without His mercy. Fortunately, His mercy toward His people is unlimited. When we begin to grasp the extent of YHVH’s mercy toward us, we see what true love is and how deeply YHVH Loves us. Our fear of what He might do to us is transformed into a reverence and awe before His great mercy. Although our sins deserve severe judgment, YHVH has chosen to show Love and mercy to all who seek Him.

KNOWING YHVH INCREASES REVERENT FEAR.

Who are those who fear Adonai? He will show them the path they should choose. -- Psalm 25:12. To fear Adonai is to recognize YHVH for who He is: Holy, Almighty, Righteous, Pure, All-Knowing, All-Powerful and All-Wise. When we regard YHVH correctly, we gain a clearer picture of ourselves: sinful, weak, frail and needy. When we recognize who YHVH is and who we are, we will fall at His feet in humble respect. Only then will He show us how to choose His way.