Fearing YAHWEH
Yesterday I spent some time in Gatlinburg. It’s a tourist town at the foot of the Smokey Mountains with small shopping villages reminiscent of old world European architechture. However the best part was the drive up there. While fall is my all time favorite season, I have never experienced it in TN. It was such a gift from our ELOHIM, that it felt especially designed for me. It is without a doubt that moving to TN was not only ordained by my Father in Heaven, it was as well a wise decision He made for me as He knows me better than I know myself. He knew that in being here, I would operate at full capacity in obedience to Him, completely open to His Will with fervor and joy.
I am currently reading in the book of Sirach also known as Ecclesiasticus but not to be confused with Ecclesiastes 😁. Before I started reading the Apocrypha, the book of Proverbs was my favorite book in the scriptures. It is still my favorite; but now is one of my favorites. Ecclesiasticus is much like Proverbs but in my opinion more detailed and richer in the wise examples it communicates. Nevertheless, Proverbs is near and dear to me and while I spent very little time in the old testament living as a christian; I did however dedicate much of my time to Proverbs as I was in deep search of the wisdom YAHWEH imparted to King Soloman.
Today I’m still on that quest as I often ponder various verses in Proverbs for example, Proverbs 9:10 The fear of YAHWEH is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the Kodesh is understanding. KJV I cited this translation because I grew up reading the KJV on into my adulthood. I understood then, that to embark on this journey of obtaining wisdom, I must first fear our ELOHIM. I had no knowledge of the study of etymology and the newer, most popular translations all as well stated that we are to “fear” Him. I had no concept of fearing anything or anyone that loved me so much so I likened it to the relationship I had with my parents. Truly they loved me, but I did indeed fear disappointing or angering them. I didn’t want to do anything that would cause them to no longer care for me or love me. It is exactly how I feel about our ELOHIM. I praise our Father YAHWEH for leading me on this conceptual trail because the word fear can be quite misleading especially when the translation I read now in the Aramaic Peshitta says: Proverbs 9:10 The reverence of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the righteous is understanding. Let’s take a look a these definitions.
Fear: An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. -Oxford’s definition
Revere: Feel deep respect or admiration for (something)
-Oxford’s definition
The word revere or reverence changes the entire tone of this verse and is much closer to the analogy I gave regarding my parents. I believe the RUACH working with me then, led me to adopt this concept rather than to live in blatant fear of our Father YAHWEH. To be fair, Merriam Webster’s dictionary in its 3rd definition of the word fear; defines it as a “profound reverence and awe especially toward God.” While this may clarify the intent of those popular translations, why not just use the word reverence when fear is tied to something far more negative and most certainly is not an emotion given to us by our ELOHIM. It states in 2 Timothy 1:7 For ELOHIM has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of good discipline. So if we are fearful, it is not coming from YAHWEH and in fear we must examine ourselves because Matt 10:28 says, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but who cannot kill the soul; but above all, be afraid of Him who can destroy both the soul and the body in hell. Now this verse tells us not to fear, however should any fear be in us, it should be the fear of YAHWEH who can destroy our body and soul. In the scriptures YAHWEH has only been shown to destroy or bring destruction on those who are living a life of transgression or lawlessness. For example, Jeremiah 15:6 You have forsaken me, says YAHWEH, you are gone backward; therefore I will stretch out my hand against you and destroy you; and I shall not spare you again. If I apply this verse to myself, I would be extremely afraid, but then I would also be forced to think about what it is that I have done to cause my Creator to say this to me. It is clear in this verse that disobedience has caused YAHWEH to stretch out His hand against me to destroy me. So if walking in obedience with our ELOHIM what is there to fear? 1 John 4:18 further clarifies this point: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear is tormenting. He who fears is not made perfect in love. So you see “fear is tormenting”, and it is nothing of YAHWEH-YESHUA who is perfect. We bring the spirit of fear on ourselves as it is not of them; but from them will bring punishment. In fact, Joshua 1:9 says: Behold, I have commanded you, Be strong and of good courage; fear not, neither be dismayed; for YAHWEH your ELOHIM is with you wherever you go. “Fear not” is actually a command and when followed, assumes the lack of transgression.
Therefore to conclude, we much read the scriptures circumspectly either reading a more concise translation or delving into the etymology of the words therein. The word fear in this case can most certainly be misleading causing us to apply fear toward our ELOHIM in an inappropriate and disobedient manner. Rather revere Him, choosing to shema, (hear and obey) Him, to please Him, to praise Him and to walk in covenant with Him. His promises to us in our obedience are final, so truly there is nothing to fear, and anytime this spirit does come upon us we must first look within; more than likely we are out of line with His laws and commandments. So let’s get back in line and stay on this narrow path; you pray for me and I will pray for you.
Shalom & Berekah!
Just a few supporting verses:
The reverence of YAHWEH is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise knowledge and instruction.
-Proverbs 1:7
The reverence of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the righteous is understanding.
-Proverbs 9:10
For ELOHIM has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of good discipline.
-2 Timothy 1:7
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but who cannot kill the soul; but above all, be afraid of Him who can destroy both the soul and the body in hell.
-Matt 10:28
You have forsaken me, says YAHWEH, you are gone backward; therefore I will stretch out my hand against you and destroy you; and I shall not spare you again.
-Jeremiah 15:6
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear is tormenting. He who fears is not made perfect in love.
-1 John 4:18
Peace I leave with you; my own peace I give you; not as the world gives, I give to you, Let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.
-John 14:27
Behold, I have commanded you, Be strong and of good courage; fear not, neither be dismayed; for YAHWEH your ELOHIM is with you wherever you go.
-Joshua 1:9
For you have not received the spirit of bondage, to be in fear again but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Abon, Father, our Father.
-Romans 8:15
So that we may boldly say, YAHWEH is my helper, and I will not fear what man may do to me.
-Hebrews 13:6
And who is he that can harm you if you are zealous followers of that which is good? 14: But if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are baruk; and be not afraid of those who terrify you, neither be troubled.
-1 Peter 3:13-14
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your ELOHIM; I have strengthened you, and have also helped you, yea, I will also uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. 11: All those that reproach you shall be ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing; and those who strive with you shall perish.
-Isaiah 41:10-11
For I am YAHWEH your ELOHIM, the strengthener of your right hand, I have said to you, Fear not; I am your helper
-Isaiah 41:13
I fear not during the day, because I trust in thee. 4: In ELOHIM I will be glorified, in ELOHIM I have put my trust; I will not fear what man can do to me.
-Psalm 56:3-4