“The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” (Isaiah 33:5-6)

As followers of Jesus Christ, we sometimes struggle with our understanding of God as we read passages which speak of the fear of God. An example of such a Scripture is one quoted quite often. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) A second one follows the same theme. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10) This is because we have a number of other terms and references for God. They include Lord, savior, redeemer, Father, and friend. All of these are relational terms. Fear describes the power, sovereignty, majestic, holiness, grandeur, justice and righteousness of God. Jesus said, “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:5)

We see the incredible nature of our God as Isaiah would describe Him. “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.” (Isaiah 40:12-15)

When we understand the fear of the Lord, we also begin to grasp the depth of His love for us. “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6) This key is evidenced in God sending to us Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man. Jesus said, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:17-18) God has judged sin, and the result is death, eternal death in hell. His love is so great that Jesus took our death and by His power overcome death through the resurrection. He can now give us life. We receive this life when we come to Him by faith. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)

To fear the Lord brings to us the understanding of who He is. To know the love of God, brings us into a relationship with Him knowing all His power demonstrated through the cross and the resurrection. One day as we come into His presence, we will see Him and know His grandeur and His love. “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block