This month the interns pitched in! Hope you like it 🙂

Dear friends,

Are you the queen, the farmer or the builder?

.

A cast of characters

We contended last time that the Fear of the LORD is analogous to a young child’s fear of his father. It’s a fear that someone who is wiser than you and who loves you will hand down painful consequences for disobedience. As such, it is a healthy kind of fear that leads to better outcomes in your life. We also mentioned that this fear should slowly, over time, be replaced by love and wisdom as the primary motivators for obedience.

Today, I think it would be helpful to use Biblical narratives to survey the spectrum of responses to God’s commands and judgments, in the context of the Fear of the Lord.

Consider the following stories and let us ask ourselves, where do we fall on this spectrum? And then, no matter where you fall on the spectrum, let’s work to move further in the right direction.

The queen

We’re going to go from the bottom to the top, so let’s start with Jezebel.

In I Kings 18, we read how God sent fire down from heaven to consume Elijah’s offering, and also how Elijah killed 450 prophets of Baal. This is the type of thing that strikes fear into the average person, at least for a time. But witness queen Jezebel’s reaction:

[1Ki 19:1-2 KJV] 1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do [to me], and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

Notice: no fear of God. No introspection. No team huddle. No regrouping. No repentance. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, so fearless Jezebel has clearly not even started down the path of wisdom.

And, in case you were wondering, this is where Jezebel’s chosen path ended:

[2Ki 9:33-37 KJV] 33 And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and [some] of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. 34 And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed [woman], and bury her: for she [is] a king’s daughter. 35 And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of [her] hands. 36 Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This [is] the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: 37 And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; [so] that they shall not say, This [is] Jezebel.

When you see God’s judgment fall on your associates, or even on you yourself, do you respond with a healthy fear that leads you back to the right way? Or do you shake your fist at God and double down on your sinful trajectory?

Don’t be a Jezebel. Don’t be an utter fool. Obey God, because he means business.

[Gal 6:7 KJV] 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

The farmer

I discussed this story in part 1, but basically, king Saul threatened to kill the oxen of anybody who did not join Israel’s campaign against an evil invading force. I Samuel 11:7 tells us that, as a result, “…And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.”

Yes, ideally, all Israel would come fight the invaders out of love for the particular group of Israelites that was being attacked. Ideally, they would say to that wicked, invading king Nahash, “How dare you threaten our beloved brethren on the other side of the river?? In the name of God, chaaaaarge!!!” That would be an example of perfect love casting out fear (I John 4:18, as I discussed last time). But, hey, if you can at least strap your sword on and march out there for the sake of not getting your oxen killed, you are off to a good start.

If this description fits you, then congratulations, because the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom!

Now, if I may borrow the words of the apostle Paul, let me show you a more excellent way…

The builder

OK, so, this is the direction that we all need to move in.

[Exo 35:21-22 KJV] 21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, [and] they brought the LORD’S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. 22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were WILLING HEARTED, [and] brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered [offered] an offering of gold unto the LORD.

If you read this whole chapter, which discusses efforts to build the tabernacle, you will clearly see that said efforts were not coerced. No one was forced to make stuff for the tabernacle. No one was forced to donate money for the tabernacle. No, this chapter makes it clear that tabernacle-building is a work for people who will serve God out of a willing heart. Not just a heart that doesn’t want to get in trouble. A heart that actually wants to be a part of God’s team.

In other words: Look at this list of gifts, prayerfully consider which gift you have been given, consult with other believers around you, and then get out there and start edifying!

[1Co 12:8-10 KJV] 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

By the way, “edifying” is another word for “building”. See the connection with tabernacle building? 🙂

Yes, beloved child of God, the Fear of the Lord is absolutely your friend.

But don’t just stop at being a God-fearer.

Be a builder!!!

**************************************************************************************************
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mailing list / Email:
If you want to be notified when there is a new post, just email me at gmail.com with subscribe in the subject. There will be a new post every week or so. What’s my gmail username? Good question, it is theformofthefourth. If you don’t want to subscribe but still want to contact me, please feel free!
Comments:
Comments are super easy! Most comments will immediately be posted. You can use a fake email address and name if you want, I don't mind at all. I just want to hear from you 🙂
RSS:
On the side of the screen (or the bottom, depending on what device you're using), look for the "Meta" heading. Under that heading, there is one link for the entries feed (meaning, all my blog posts), and another link for the comments feed. Tap the one you want, and then use an app like flipboard or podcast addict to subscribe. I don't know about all the choices out there, but I use Podcast Addict to keep a steady stream of audio podcasts and blog posts flowing into my phone.