Fear, Fear, Fear of the Lord

Incredible sights and sounds accompanied the giving of the Ten Commandments as the nation of Israel stood at the foot of Mount Sinai:

And all the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.”
--Exodus 20:18-19

The people were afraid of God; scared!

That was fear, but not ‘Fear of the Lord.’

People loved Jesus. Yet, the Jewish leaders were often angry with Jesus. He did not fit their definition of Messiah. They wanted to get rid of Jesus. The longer he remained, the more threatening he became. Their anger turned to anxiety.

“And the scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him [Jesus] that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them.”
--Luke 20:19

Not long after, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The chief priests and Pharisees convened a meeting:

“What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
--John 11:47-48

The Jewish leaders were afraid of Jesus; anxiety!

That was fear, but not ‘Fear of the Lord.’

Moses had been called by God to lead Israel out of Egyptian slavery. He had gone to investigate the bush that burned but did not burn up. He spoke with God and was sent as God's mouthpiece and God’s hand before Pharaoh. He parted the Red Sea, led Israel to Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments.

Then, almost as an impulse Moses made a child-like request of God: “Show me your glory!” God agreed. The next day God descended on Mount Sinai in a cloud. Having instructed Moses where to stand beforehand, God passed by Moses. He covered Moses with his hand but allowed him to see his back as he passed by. Moses saw the glory of God, but that was not all; God proclaimed:

“The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
--Exodus 34:6-7

God did not simply reveal himself to Moses in a way that could be perceived by human sight and sound, he spoke. He revealed his divine character in words that reflected all that he had already shown about himself.

“And Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship.”

That was fear; yes, 'Fear of the Lord.'

The fear of the Lord is not seen in those who cower in fear before God; it is not seen in those who are full of fearful anxiety or anger toward God. Moses stood before God in confidence, but bowed low in humility and worshiped.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

--Mark Stinnett

How Do I Begin Wisdom?

I don’t know how the title question strikes your mind, but I wonder how important a question it is to Christians today. For many, life’s biggest concern is not about making wise decisions, but survival; simply getting from today to tomorrow without making a mess of things. Others are trying to climb the ladder of success, reach for the stars, achieve goals or check something off their bucket list. Still others are mostly focused on self-indulgence; satisfying their urges for food, entertainment, sex, money, etc.

I would like to think that Christians are really interested in wisdom. I hope you are, but where do you start? First, let me ask:

• What is your definition of wisdom?
• What is the meaning of discernment?

Think of someone you would regard as wise. How did he/she become wise? Where did he/she begin? Where do you start to find or obtain or attain discernment?

The answers are not found by joining a secret society. They are not discovered atop a high mountain in a remote foreign country. They will not be found deep within a hidden cavern, in the depths or the sea, beyond the stars, or in your heart. Yet, the answers seem rather elusive. Can you accept God’s answer?

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

We should not think that fear is a synonym with afraid. Yet, respect is far too weak to fully describe the fear of the Lord. Two other words are accurately descriptive: reverence and awe.

Fear (afraid) and respect are found within reverence and awe, but there is more. There is also the realization of the stark difference between deity and humanity. Reverence and awe demand recognition of the power, authority, dominion, honor, perfection, holiness, purity, kindness, and expansive love of deity.

At the "beginning of wisdom" a person must come to some level of knowledge and understanding of God. Knowledge is not the academic kind found in theology books; it is not a list of facts about God. Nor is knowledge to be confused with biblical doctrine. Facts, doctrine and theology are all fine, but true knowledge of God can only be obtained in a relationship with God.

We understand the importance of relationship in marriage. A man knows his wife; a wife knows her husband. Yet their knowledge of each other is not based on a list of facts, a well-organized resume or information gathered online. Their knowledge is based on their relationship and daily interaction with each other. It is no different with God.

Be careful! Read your Bible all you want but you will still lack true wisdom and understanding (discernment). You must not put your Bible aside, but you must come to know your Creator through a relationship that is based on making a proper response to his instruction.

Knowledge of the Holy One requires an intimate relationship with God in which you interact with Him by listening to His word, by the devoted practice of His instruction and by prayer.

If you are a Christian, you already know that you should value wisdom and understanding?
Do you?

You might want to begin on your knees in humble prayer; then rise to follow.

Mark Stinnett

Pardon me...What Is The Most Important Rule of Etiquette?

Mom taught my older sister and me how to set the table: Fork on the right atop the napkin, spoon and knife to the left with the knife closest to the plate (I think). All that I remember about the drinking glass: Keep it away from the table’s edge! We were not really that formal, but as kids we were taught good table manners so that I was able to feel confident the few times I enjoyed ‘finer’ dining. (Thank you, mom ; )

Etiquette. Even the word seems to have its nose stuck up in the air. Etiquette, in simpler terms, means, good manners. “Mind your manners,” mom reminded us if we were a guest at a friend’s house.

Yes, manners included rules for setting the dinner table, how to use your napkin, handle your utensils, and even how to discretely muffle an upcoming belch. Yet perhaps more important was the proper way to treat people.

Minding one’s manners included, “Please” and “Thank you.” “Excuse me,” for a variety of situations, avoiding interrupting someone while speaking, and suppressing laughter when inappropriate (something I failed at miserably).

It is often comical to hear a small child parrot what she has learned. After a *burp* slips out, dad gently prods, “What do you say?” With a joyful smile the little one bounces in her highchair with a confident, “Thank you!”

The instruction is not lost. Sooner or later the toddler learns. Yet, the goal is not to parrot instruction but to develop a thankful heart.

Of all the rules of etiquette and all the manners taught, I have learned that God has a special interest in thankfulness.

Are you a thankful person?
Did you know that God expects thankfulness?

In the Law of Moses there was a specific sacrifice called the peace offering. Its purpose was to offer thanks to God with the expected outcome of peace between the worshiper and God. (Leviticus 7) For the Christian a peace offering is made through prayer:

Through Him [Jesus] then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
—Hebrews 13:15 (NASB95)

It is sobering to learn that God’s hot anger is set against those who are unrighteous, who do not give Him thanks. Those who are ungrateful, have foolishly ignored God. (See Romans 1:21.)

Even when in a time of need, we are encouraged to give thanks to God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 
—Philippians 4:6

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
—Colossians 3:17

There must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 
—Ephesians 5:4

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. 
—Colossians 4:2

The emphasis you place on etiquette is up to you. Just remember, Christians have been assured of eternal life through Christ Jesus. So...

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
—2 Corinthians 9:15

Mark Stinnett

A Ferris Wheel of Prognostication*

Yet again, another end time prophecy...Why?

Do you remember what Solomon wrote?

Whatever has happened, will happen again; whatever has been done, will be done again. There is nothing new on earth.
—Ecclesiastes 1:9 (ISV)

Yet another end time prophecy has emerged, and it’s true: I am a scoffer. I scoff at the endless modern day end-time predictions that come and go without being fulfilled. In general these predictions hinge on human assumptions and speculative reasoning not rooted in God’s word.

Quite by accident I stumbled across a modern-day prophecy claiming that the ‘rapture’ will begin “no later than May 14, 2019.” The rapture, according to this prophet, is the return of Jesus to set up a temporary earthly kingdom.

My heart is heavy as I wonder about all those who have given up on the Bible because of false prophets. I intend no disrespect, but I can find no other accurate description: False prophets.

Did you know that God had something to say about those who speak falsely in His name?

Whenever a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, and the oracle does not come about or the word is not fulfilled, then the Lord has not spoken it. The prophet will have spoken presumptuously, so you need not fear him. 
—Deuteronomy 18:22 (ISV)

God gave these instructions to ancient Israel after He delivered them from Egypt. There were some who prophesied, but the people did not have the complete word of God (the Bible) to evaluate the prophecy. So, they were literally instructed to ‘wait and see.’

Some people today are twisting the word of God to satisfy their personal obsession with the calculation of the return of Christ. They have unwittingly taken Truth and cast it as a lie. Then when the predicted date comes and goes without fulfillment the prophet is shown to be a false prophet. Yet, he/she has helped to build a case against the truth and relevance of God’s word. God reveals His attitude toward liars:

Here are six things that the Lord hates— seven, in fact, are detestable to him: Arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, and….
—Proverbs 6:16–17 (ISV)

The list goes on, but the point is that God hates “a lying tongue.” God’s language is strong. This is something He actually hates.

These false prophets spend countless hours trying to unravel riddles of presumed signs while completely overlooking (or ignoring) the obvious thundering message from God: Get ready!

All prophecy in the Bible that looks forward to God’s judgment, whether directed to ancient Judah concerning their idolatry, or to the Jews at the time of Jesus concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, or to Christians concerning the end of the world; all judgment prophecy has one simple message: Get ready!

A person gets ready by first turning to Jesus. Those who have already devoted their lives to Christ get ready by giving careful attention to God’s inspired word.

The ‘Ferris Wheel of prognostication’ will continue to go ‘round and ‘round with endless prophecies that fail. Don’t be distracted. Don’t listen. Don’t worry about their predictions. And above all, don’t forget the crystal clear instructions in God’s word about the return of Christ: Be Ready!

Mark Stinnett
*Prognostication: The foretelling of things based on signs.