The Fear of the Lord Is…

When we think of this phrase, “the fear of the Lord”, in Christian circles, we’ll usually, and correctly, relate it to wisdom and knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, 15:33)

The Bible regularly uses this phrase.

For the past several weeks at Eastside Baptist Church, I’ve been examining the text in light of the fear of the LORD. Take an early look at it with me from a companion text in Psalms.

In Psalm 19 the psalmist ties several things together, similar to what Isaiah declares in Isaiah 33:22 (The LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, The LORD is our king; He will save us…).

Look at Psalm 19:7-11

7) The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8) The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9) The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10) They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11) Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.

NASB

Consider it in light of Isaiah 33:6 and 22

6) He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
22) For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us…

NASB

Both texts illuminates the other.

Isaiah speaks a bout God being the “stability of your times”. God’s law is perfect in all times, so it seems right that it would be a trustworthy law in our time.

Isaiah claims God to being a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. God’s testimony is sure (more valuable than a bank account) and making wise the simple. Because the LORD’s precepts are right, we can rejoice and this enlightens the eyes. The fear of the LORD is our treasure.

Isaiah declares God “our judge”, the psalmist claims the judgments of the LORD are true, in fact, “righteous altogether” and that they are more desirable than gold.

Isaiah informs the reader that the “LORD is our lawgiver”, the psalmist showed us that the “law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul”. The commands of God are only a burden to the lawbreaker.

Isaiah told us that the “LORD is our king”, the psalmist reveals that the servant is to give heed to obeying the LORD, in doing so there is “great reward.”

I’m looking forward to preaching Isaiah 33:6 and 22 this coming LORD’s Day.

Eastside Baptist Church gathers at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Sunday, the first day of the week. If you don’t have a home church you belong to consider joining us this week; 204 Eastland Drive North, Twin Falls, Idaho.