What is the fear of God?
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Psalms 111:1-10, “Praise Yah! I thank יהוה with all my heart, In the company of the straight, and of the congregation. Great are the works of יהוה, Dalet Searched for by all who delight in them. Splendour and greatness are His work, And His righteousness stands forever. He has made His wonders to be remembered; יהוה shows favor and is compassionate. He has given food to those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever. He has shown His people the power of His works, Lamed To give to them the inheritance of the nations. The works of His hands are truth and right-ruling, All His orders are trustworthy, They are upheld forever and ever, Performed in truth and straightness. He sent redemption to His people, He has commanded His covenant forever. Set-apart and awesome is His Name The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom, All those doing them have a good understanding. His praise is standing forever.”
Isaiah 8:13, “יהוה of hosts, Him you shall set apart. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”
Psalm 34:11, “Come, you children, listen to me; Let me teach you the fear of יהוה."
Psalms 2:11, “Serve יהוה with fear, And rejoice with trembling.”
Luke 12:4-7, “But I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that are unable to do any more. But I shall show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after killing, possesses authority to cast into Gehenna. Yea, I say to you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before Yah. But even the hairs of your head have all been numbered. Do not fear, you are worth more than many sparrows.
Psalm 19:7-11, “The Torah of יהוה is perfect, bringing back the being; The witness of יהוה is trustworthy, making wise the simple; The orders of יהוה are straight, rejoicing the heart; The command of יהוה is clear, enlightening the eyes; The fear of יהוה is clean, standing forever; The right-rulings of יהוה are true, They are righteous altogether, More desirable than gold, Than much fine gold; And sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Also, Your servant is warned by them, In guarding them there is great reward.”
Psalm 34:9, “Fear יהוה, you His set-apart ones, For there is no lack to them who fear Him!”
Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of יהוה is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: Fear the Mighty One and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind! For the Mighty One shall bring every work into right-ruling, including all that is hidden, whether good or whether evil.”
Job 28:28, “And He said to man, ‘See, the fear of יהוה, that is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding.”
Psalm 33:8, “Let all the earth fear יהוה; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”
Proverbs 14:26-27, “In the fear of יהוה is strong trust, And His children have a place of refuge. The fear of יהוה is a fountain of life, To turn away from the snares of death.”
Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Set-apart One is understanding.”
Proverbs 8:13, “The fear of יהוה is to hate evil. I have hated pride and arrogance, And the evil way, And the perverse mouth.”
Isaiah 8:13, “יהוה of hosts, Him you shall set apart. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”
Psalm 34:11, “Come, you children, listen to me; Let me teach you the fear of יהוה."
Psalms 2:11, “Serve יהוה with fear, And rejoice with trembling.”
Luke 12:4-7, “But I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that are unable to do any more. But I shall show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after killing, possesses authority to cast into Gehenna. Yea, I say to you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before Yah. But even the hairs of your head have all been numbered. Do not fear, you are worth more than many sparrows.
Psalm 19:7-11, “The Torah of יהוה is perfect, bringing back the being; The witness of יהוה is trustworthy, making wise the simple; The orders of יהוה are straight, rejoicing the heart; The command of יהוה is clear, enlightening the eyes; The fear of יהוה is clean, standing forever; The right-rulings of יהוה are true, They are righteous altogether, More desirable than gold, Than much fine gold; And sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Also, Your servant is warned by them, In guarding them there is great reward.”
Psalm 34:9, “Fear יהוה, you His set-apart ones, For there is no lack to them who fear Him!”
Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of יהוה is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: Fear the Mighty One and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind! For the Mighty One shall bring every work into right-ruling, including all that is hidden, whether good or whether evil.”
Job 28:28, “And He said to man, ‘See, the fear of יהוה, that is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding.”
Psalm 33:8, “Let all the earth fear יהוה; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”
Proverbs 14:26-27, “In the fear of יהוה is strong trust, And His children have a place of refuge. The fear of יהוה is a fountain of life, To turn away from the snares of death.”
Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Set-apart One is understanding.”
Proverbs 8:13, “The fear of יהוה is to hate evil. I have hated pride and arrogance, And the evil way, And the perverse mouth.”
those that are willfully and continually disobeient.
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Isayah 59:13-15, "In transgressing and lying against YHWH, and turning away from following our Father, speaking oppression and rebellion, conceiving and uttering from the mind words of falsehood: So judgment is driven backwards, and justice stands afar off, for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yes, truth is suppressed; and he who departs from evil is accounted as mad. YHWH saw this, and it displeased Him that there was no justice."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Isaiah 13:9, "See, the day of [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]יהוה [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]is coming, fierce, with wrath and heat of displeasure, to lay the earth waste, and destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations do not give off their light. The sun shall be dark at its rising, and the moon not send out its light. And I shall punish the world for its evil, and the wrong for their crookedness, and shall put an end to the arrogance of the proud, and lay low the pride of the ruthless."
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Isayah 59:13-15, "In transgressing and lying against YHWH, and turning away from following our Father, speaking oppression and rebellion, conceiving and uttering from the mind words of falsehood: So judgment is driven backwards, and justice stands afar off, for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yes, truth is suppressed; and he who departs from evil is accounted as mad. YHWH saw this, and it displeased Him that there was no justice."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Isaiah 13:9, "See, the day of [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]יהוה [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]is coming, fierce, with wrath and heat of displeasure, to lay the earth waste, and destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations do not give off their light. The sun shall be dark at its rising, and the moon not send out its light. And I shall punish the world for its evil, and the wrong for their crookedness, and shall put an end to the arrogance of the proud, and lay low the pride of the ruthless."
[/FONT]
While I have no problem jumping right in to repair when something mechanical is broken, electrical issues (house current) have always been something totally different for me. Now, maybe if a light switch or outlet needed replaced, but only "with fear and trepidation" would I ever approach the main power box in the basement. Then one day I needed to add a 220 volt breaker for a dryer up in the laundry room. Panic began to set in...
Thankfully, I had a good friend who was a retired electrician. He came by, took the safety panel off, and carefully explained the inner workings, how and where were safe to touch and where to stay AWAY from, at risk of a fatal shock. Rather than doing it FOR me, he guided me through installing the breaker (successfully) and then I put the safety panel back on myself!
Thanks to my friend, I no longer FEAR the main power panel, but neither am I careless around it, because I now understand more clearly how it works. My understanding produces an appropriate conduct, neither paralyzed nor careless.
So it is when someone comes to a clearer understanding of God; when we understand Him for who He really IS (as much as we presently CAN), and what His intentions towards us are, we can even "enter boldly" and ask ANYTHING of our loving Father. Does that mean we just "burst into heaven" and behave brashly because our fear is gone? Certainly not! We are yet men, and He is Creator God, so we act accordingly.
All that to agree with several above posts, that (sadly) the English term "fear" would really best be replaced with "reverence", or "deep respect, appreciation, estimation", with suitable conduct towards God being the result.
Thankfully, I had a good friend who was a retired electrician. He came by, took the safety panel off, and carefully explained the inner workings, how and where were safe to touch and where to stay AWAY from, at risk of a fatal shock. Rather than doing it FOR me, he guided me through installing the breaker (successfully) and then I put the safety panel back on myself!
Thanks to my friend, I no longer FEAR the main power panel, but neither am I careless around it, because I now understand more clearly how it works. My understanding produces an appropriate conduct, neither paralyzed nor careless.
So it is when someone comes to a clearer understanding of God; when we understand Him for who He really IS (as much as we presently CAN), and what His intentions towards us are, we can even "enter boldly" and ask ANYTHING of our loving Father. Does that mean we just "burst into heaven" and behave brashly because our fear is gone? Certainly not! We are yet men, and He is Creator God, so we act accordingly.
All that to agree with several above posts, that (sadly) the English term "fear" would really best be replaced with "reverence", or "deep respect, appreciation, estimation", with suitable conduct towards God being the result.
The meaning of FEAR GOD a Non-Believer.
The meaning of FEAR GOD or a Believer
Believer Fear Definition: The "fear" of the Lord is about "reverence toward God", "respect for Him", "love and appreciation", "holding God & His beloved Son in high esteem" "Awe".
(Reverence-Respect-Honor-Awe!)
Non-Believer Definition: "anticipation of danger" "dread of danger" "alarm"
(Danger-Dread-Alarm)
Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of (reverent) fear for Christ.
Proverbs 22:4 humility and the (reverent) "fear of the LORD" are riches, and honour, & life.
Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that (reverently) "fear him"; & he will shew them his covenant.
Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that (reverently) "fear him", upon them that hope in his mercy;
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that (reverently) "fear him", & delivereth them.
Psalm 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that (reverently) "fear him".
Psalm 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that (reverently) "fear him"; that glory may dwell in our land.
Psalm 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that (reverently) "fear him".
Psalm 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that (reverently) "fear him".
Psalm 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that (reverently) "fear him" and his righteousness unto His children;
Psalm 111:5 He hath given meat unto them that (reverently) "fear him": he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
Psalm 145:19 He will fulfil the desire of them that (reverently) "fear him": he also will hear their cry, & will save them.
Psalm 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that (reverently) "fear him", in those that hope in his mercy.
Luke 1:50 And his mercy is alway's on them that (reverently) "fear him".
Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God "is a sun & shield": 'the LORD will give grace (FAVOR) and glory": "no good thing will he withhold" from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 37:4 Delite in the Lord, & he will give you the desires of your heart.
The meaning of FEAR GOD or a Believer
Believer Fear Definition: The "fear" of the Lord is about "reverence toward God", "respect for Him", "love and appreciation", "holding God & His beloved Son in high esteem" "Awe".
(Reverence-Respect-Honor-Awe!)
Non-Believer Definition: "anticipation of danger" "dread of danger" "alarm"
(Danger-Dread-Alarm)
Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of (reverent) fear for Christ.
Proverbs 22:4 humility and the (reverent) "fear of the LORD" are riches, and honour, & life.
Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that (reverently) "fear him"; & he will shew them his covenant.
Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that (reverently) "fear him", upon them that hope in his mercy;
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that (reverently) "fear him", & delivereth them.
Psalm 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that (reverently) "fear him".
Psalm 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that (reverently) "fear him"; that glory may dwell in our land.
Psalm 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that (reverently) "fear him".
Psalm 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that (reverently) "fear him".
Psalm 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that (reverently) "fear him" and his righteousness unto His children;
Psalm 111:5 He hath given meat unto them that (reverently) "fear him": he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
Psalm 145:19 He will fulfil the desire of them that (reverently) "fear him": he also will hear their cry, & will save them.
Psalm 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that (reverently) "fear him", in those that hope in his mercy.
Luke 1:50 And his mercy is alway's on them that (reverently) "fear him".
Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God "is a sun & shield": 'the LORD will give grace (FAVOR) and glory": "no good thing will he withhold" from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 37:4 Delite in the Lord, & he will give you the desires of your heart.
I agree with a lot of what others have said concerning fear.
Imagine you walk into a room and you believe you are alone and go about doing your business. Then at some point you become aware that someone was in the room the whole time watching you.
There can be a very real fear as in scared initially if you were doing wrong.
but there is then a sense of awe when you realise who it is that sees you and is aware of you.
So In a very real sense To fear God is to be aware that God is aware of all you do and think and say.
To live in the fear of God is to live in a constant awareness of Gods presence. God does not want us to be fearful of Him but we should and do when we walk in sin.
But once we become aware of God and who He is then his fear should always go before us or let an awareness of God always go before you. This will appropriately cause you to live in awe and reverence before God.
When you do this sin is not so easy to do.
Exo 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Imagine you walk into a room and you believe you are alone and go about doing your business. Then at some point you become aware that someone was in the room the whole time watching you.
There can be a very real fear as in scared initially if you were doing wrong.
but there is then a sense of awe when you realise who it is that sees you and is aware of you.
So In a very real sense To fear God is to be aware that God is aware of all you do and think and say.
To live in the fear of God is to live in a constant awareness of Gods presence. God does not want us to be fearful of Him but we should and do when we walk in sin.
But once we become aware of God and who He is then his fear should always go before us or let an awareness of God always go before you. This will appropriately cause you to live in awe and reverence before God.
When you do this sin is not so easy to do.
Exo 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge 
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.
(Psalm 32:8-11)
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.
(Psalm 32:8-11)
J
Nay tis fear of God and love of God that we show we are his,for what doth profit lieing to God or merely not wanting to be destroyed by him?
nothing for it is not to be that we fear what he could do to us but we ourselves are to be humble toward him,for indeed one can tremble in fear of God yet not "know" God nor have their heart "endeared" to God,Fear is but the beginning of learning of God,it is not what is to be our "main focus" for he doth chasten whom he loves,tis quite a difference fearing and doing only that which is ordered and seeking to do for God not out of mere fear but love for him as well.
A fool can be taught by repetition through fear to do wisely as one whom they fear instructs,but if the fool doth not "learn" in their "heart" what is right and merely obeys then the fool remains a fool and surely is not God's servant,for is it not written of the servant whom was given a talent like wise as two other servants by their master and in fear of his master buried his talent where as the other two took their talents and gained more and presented them to their master and the master was well pleased but as for the servant whom buried his talent his master was sore displeased for he told him that if he had even put it in a bank of sorts that it would have profited him by interest and would have done better therefore the master took it and gave it to one of the servants whom had done well for he that only feared profited him nothing.(paraphrasing,not full parable of Jesus's)
nothing for it is not to be that we fear what he could do to us but we ourselves are to be humble toward him,for indeed one can tremble in fear of God yet not "know" God nor have their heart "endeared" to God,Fear is but the beginning of learning of God,it is not what is to be our "main focus" for he doth chasten whom he loves,tis quite a difference fearing and doing only that which is ordered and seeking to do for God not out of mere fear but love for him as well.
A fool can be taught by repetition through fear to do wisely as one whom they fear instructs,but if the fool doth not "learn" in their "heart" what is right and merely obeys then the fool remains a fool and surely is not God's servant,for is it not written of the servant whom was given a talent like wise as two other servants by their master and in fear of his master buried his talent where as the other two took their talents and gained more and presented them to their master and the master was well pleased but as for the servant whom buried his talent his master was sore displeased for he told him that if he had even put it in a bank of sorts that it would have profited him by interest and would have done better therefore the master took it and gave it to one of the servants whom had done well for he that only feared profited him nothing.(paraphrasing,not full parable of Jesus's)
Amen! Prior to my conversion, while still attending the Roman Catholic church as an unbeliever, I basically saw God as a tyrant who couldn't wait to punish me every time I messed up! That was terror! As a believer, I see fearing God as reverence, a righteous awe and respect for Him (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 34:9; Isaiah 66:2).