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CHESHVAN 7

To Fear YHWH

 

“And now, Yisra’el, what does YHWH your Elohim require of you, but to FEAR YHWH your Elohim …” (Deu 10:12 HRVS, emphasis mine)

 

We are told, in Scripture, that the “fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps 111:10; Pro 9:10), yet do we really understand what this ‘fear’ is that we are to embrace and cultivate?  Moreover, since this fear is a requirement in the relationship and covenant we have with our Creator (see Deu 5:29), perhaps it is past time to consider what this is.

 

There is inherent in every person a measure of fear; for example, we should all have a fear of fire, and the consequences of fire, in all its forms.  This is a healthy fear, for we have respect and consideration for the force of a fire, and all the damage it can do.  In a sense, the “fear of Yahweh” is also a type of ‘healthy’ fear, for when we acknowledge Yahweh as our Creator, the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Elohim, we fear Him, with all honor, respect and awe.

 

The Hebrew word translated here is the word yârê (Strong’s H3372), and has, among its definitions, a sense of awe-inspiring respect and reverence.  And yet it is much more than that.  A popular Torah-teacher has used this analogy: “of never wanting to stand in front of our Elohim, of offending Him, of having Him shake His head, and say, ‘I can’t believe you just did that.’” This would certainly be a heart-breaking situation for any one of us who call ourselves children of the living Elohim, and one that we should make every effort to avoid.

 

It grieves me to see a casual and flippant attitude within the body of Messiah today, regarding their relationship with their Creator.  It seems that the erroneous teaching of mistakes covered by grace has made a mockery of the necessity of walking in the “fear of Yahweh”.  This healthy fear should always stop us from making these mistakes in the first place, just as we should know better that to stick our hand into a burning fire.  Let us resolve to cultivate this requirement that is ours in the covenant we have with our Elohim and see where it leads us.  Certainly, we know that Godly wisdom, the result of the “fear of Yahweh”, is something all of us can use.

 

Abba, Father, forgive my lack of reverence, my lack of honor and respect.  I ask You to kindle within me the desire, the need, to pay You the homage due You, as my Creator, and my Father.  Help me to walk in Your ways, that I might never offend You, and always be a blessing to You.  In the Name, and in the authority of Yeshua HaMashiach, AMEIN.

 

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