Author’s Note: All previous volumes in this series arehere. The first 56 volumes are compiled in the book“Bible study for those who don’t read the Bible.” “Part Two”, comprising volumes 57 to 113, was published in December 2022.

Thank you for joining us today to discuss a complex topic that tends to be downplayed. Next week we will study the New Testament verses about fearing God. We begin by defining the word “fear” in Hebrew. My source is a based in Israelsite:

“The Hebrew word translated “fear” in the Bible is yirah (יראה, pronounced yir-ah). This often translates directly to fear, such as “the fear of the Lord”, it can also mean respect, reverence and worship. But make no mistake, yirah is strongly linked to “trembling”. This, you have understood, “fear and trembling”, how humans act before God.

So, “What does the fear of God mean?” » This famous passage provides the answer:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10). Also this verse:

“ “His pleasure lies not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of the warrior; the Lord rejoices in those who fear him, who place their hope in his unfailing love. (Psalm 147:10-11).

If we are to fear God, we must understand and recognize who God is. It is everything within our realm of human understanding of what everything is. He is also everything that exists beyond our understanding. God never ends. It has no boundaries. This is His identity. Here’s a game-changing conversation from Exodus:

“Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask me, What is his name? So what should I tell them? God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” This is what you will say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you. » (Exodus 3:13-14).

Jesus embraced the “I Am” identity while in the temple, He said, “‘Before Abraham was born, I am!’ » (John 8:48-59) which caused the Jewish authorities to go crazy.

“I Am” accepts and defines “the truth” without qualifiers. Therefore, we must know the absolute truth about why we should fear him. Here is my opinion:

God has power over the universe and everything that exists in this infinite space that He created, and that means you. God has total control over you. However, He also gives you free will. But He knows how you will exercise this free will with the consequences of your actions and how He will intervene. The power and identity of God as “I Am” is beyond our human understanding, so we must love and fear Him continually.

We can view the fear of God as the air we breathe. He created the air; he created you with your lungs. It could stop your lungs from working. Fear of God is recognizing this power because at any moment you could be out of breath.

To fear God is to realize that He has been observing, evaluating and judging you since your conception. Most importantly, He loves you too and has gifted your life to you. We must know that He is with us and watching us. There is no escape from God. Don’t hide our worst thoughts or actions. Excerpt from the Book of Job:

“(God) sees the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens” (Job 28:24). We can only imagine his power and great glory. It has no beginning or end.

Therefore, to fear Him is to know, appreciate, and praise Him without ever questioning His almighty ways. So, let us reflect again on this Proverb, attributed to King Solomon, who asked and was gifted with great wisdom by God:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10).Understand what? Answer: He is, and you are not. Wisdom is knowing that your mission in life is to love, praise and glorify Him by using your talents through prayer, knowing His Word, helping others and obeying His commandments – some verses on these:

(God said to Moses) “Oh, may their hearts be inclined to fear me, and to keep all my commandments always, that all things may go well with them and their children forever!” » (Deuteronomy 5:29). And this:

“Praise the Lord!” Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights in his commandments! (Psalm 112:1).

God’s commandments were delivered to this man who had a warning for his flock:

“Moses said to the people: “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you so that the fear of God may be with you to keep you from sinning.’” (Exodus 20:20). Moses also said:

“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, except to fear the LORD your God, to walk in subjection to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the commandments and decrees of the Lord which I give you today for your own good? (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).

Without doubt, what appears above is biblical “truth.” To learn more, see Flights. 237 ; 238 And 239.If you do not know the truth and do not please God, you should fear Him since you are acting contrary to His will. Let’s move on to Job:

“And he (God) said to mankind: ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to flee from evil is understanding.’” (Job 28:28).

Through Isaiah, God explained how to deal with fear in a gentle, fatherly way:

“Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my right right hand. » (Isaiah 41:10).

As with all biblical subjects, the Psalms have much to say about fear. Here is an example:

“The fear of the Lord is pure and lasting forever; the rules of the Lord are true and completely righteous” (Psalm 19:9). Excerpt from the most famous 23rd Psalm:

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name” (Psalm 86:11).

“The Lord is with me; I won’t be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6).

The fear of God is essential to recognizing His power and dominion over all His creations. See you next week for the teachings of the New Testament.

Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writernumerous national credits. His book,“Bible study for those who do not read the Bible”,reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. “Part 2”,with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here. 

She is also general director of Exhibition on the National Shroud of Turindedicated to building a future permanent exhibition on the Shroud of Turinin Washington, DC The National Shroud of Turin Exhibition recently organized a four-day exhibition(with a VIP guest) at National Eucharistic Congressin Indianapolis, IN. Contact: [email protected]