Your Daily Slice

 

SIVAN 24

Clean Fear

 

“The fear of Adonai is CLEAN, enduring forever.” (Ps 19:9 TLV, emphasis mine)

 

I have heard one popular Torah teacher explain the “fear of Elohim” as never wanting to be in the place where I have disappointed my Creator by something I said or did.  And that accurately sums it up.  I have no desire to stand in the position where my Abba Father is shaking His head at me, saying “I can’t believe you just did/said that.”  Because of this commitment that I have, I try to always do what is pleasing to Him, bringing Him honor, and never shame.

The Hebrew word that has been translated as ‘clean’ is the word ṭâhôr (Strong’s H2889), one that we are familiar with from our studies of Torah, specifically concerning what is clean (ṭâhôr) and what is defiled (ṭâmê', Strong’s H2931, see Lev 10:10).  Within the meaning of ṭâhôr, we find that it incorporates the sense of being physically, morally, and ceremoniously pure, uncontaminated, and undefiled.  Tâhôr has little to do with taking a bath, and putting clean clothes on, though these actions may be included with the state of being ṭâhôr.

How does ṭâhôr relate to the “fear of Elohim”?  When we make the choice to live our lives in the fear of our Elohim, there will always be a corresponding action, i.e. we choose to deliberately not do those things that we know will make us ṭâmê', or defiled.  Needless to say, walking out the Torah observant lifestyle would be immersing ourselves in the “fear of Elohim”, an action that is ṭâhôr, morally, physically, and ceremoniously pure and undefiled.

We also learn from our opening verse that this type of commitment will always be ṭâhôr, it will never change.  ‘Forever’ implies something that will last throughout all of eternity; it has no end, and no conclusion.  We know that the Word of our Creator is ‘forever settled and standing firm’ (Ps 119:89); our continued commitment to be governed by the “fear of Elohim” in all that we say and do is of the same permanence.

 

“The FEAR OF ADONAI is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Pro 9:10 TLV, emphasis mine)

“Then having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and of spirit, perfecting holiness in the FEAR OF ELOHIM.” (2Cor 7:1 HRB, emphasis mine)

 

©2022