1

How do you fear the Lord when you love Him?



    
    

Clarify Share Report Asked December 02 2014 Mini Anonymous

Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.

6
Ari Ariel HaNaviy Supporter Messianic Jew and Torah Teacher with Messianic Congregation 'The Harvest'
The word “fear” in the TaNaKH (OT) is the Hebrew word “yaray.” It is true that the word must be understood from context. Sometimes it refers to reverence or respect, etc. (Lev. 19:3), and sometimes it refers to worry or deep concern, etc. (Ex. 15:16).

In the Hebrew way of interacting with the scriptures, yaray is a essentially an emotion that motivates a person towards an action, a driving force in a person’s life to help them make a decision on something. Basically, yaray describes the volition of a person, because the same emotions can drive two different people in two different directions. The challenge for us is to allow our “yaray” to move us in the direction that God says is right and best for us.

Since the topic is “fear,” let’s see this in action in a few verses from Deuteronomy. (Mouse over to read the passage)

Deut. 1:21 – Fear would either keep ancient Isra'el from going into the Land of promise, or overcoming fear—by trusting in God—would move them to go into the Land.

Deut. 6:2 – Fear in this verse motivates God’s people to keep all his statutes and commandments, with a promise to prolong their lives. This fear could be reverence, or it could also be fear of God withholding his blessing if one disobeys his commandments.

Deut. 10:12 – Fear in this verse can actually function as a metonym, that is, a word which plays the role of a stand-in for another closely related word (similar to a synonym). Fear in this verse is actually closely linked to “walk,” “love,” and “serve” God as Deut. 10:12 hints at by putting “fear,” “walk,” “love,” and “serve” all in the same mix of actions and emotions experienced and taken together as a comprehensive whole. I really like this verse because, as the original question suggested, this verse uses the word “fear” and the word “love” in the same verse, both with God’s intent to motivate us towards genuine fidelity and loyalty to him alone as our God.

I will close with my person favorite verse of the Bible that uses the word “yaray”:

Ps. 111:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!”

September 11 2015 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


4
Mini Johnnatta Giles Supporter Spirit Filled Christian
That word fear being used in this way is translated to a word that means respect. (Anytime you see something like this take the word and look up the Hebrew or Greek word to see how it translates, either online or with a concordance).

So to respect the Lord is to love the Lord.

December 05 2014 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


4
Mini Salem Markus Purba Supporter
I love the LORD, and I can not live without the LORD my God (John 6: 63) and I will obey the LORD's command (John 14: 15).

Since I love the LORD, I fear to be forsaken by the LORD my God when I am doing such an evil in the sight of my LORD.(Matthew 27: 46).

September 29 2015 2 responses Vote Up Share Report


Add your Answer

All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.

What makes a good answer? ▼

A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.

  1. Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
  2. Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
  3. Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
  4. Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
  5. For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible
Header
  1. 4000 characters remaining