[Photo by Karren McPherson from Dawson Community Church, Falkirk]
If you have been following Day Share in the last two months, you will have noticed that I have been doing brief studies of Hebrew words. I have based my thoughts on a book called "Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus" by Lois Tverberg. We have already looked at the Hebrew words for 'faith,' 'bread' and 'evil'. Today we are looking at the Hebrew word for 'fear.' Here is the wee snippet from Lois Tverberg:
(yirah - H4172] The same Hebrew word can describe emotions that are negative (being afraid of scared), positive (being thrilled or filled with awe), mild (respect), or strong (reverence; Leviticus 19:3, 30). Yirah can even mean "worship" as it does for the "God-fearers" of the New Testament. The "fear of the Lord" (yirat Adonai), biblically, is always understood positively as reverence for God (Proverbs 14:26-27)
[From Lois Tverberg: Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus : Appendix B]
I have found this word a bit more challenging partly because I discovered that there are several words used for 'fear' in the Old Testament. I have tried to make sense of this in an accompanying PDF document which is available on the website for those who want to look into this in their private study. Scroll down to find the link to this PDF document which can be downloaded. But I want to share some general reflections on this blog which might be more relevant to us all.
Fear is a common Hebrew word. There another Hebrew word (yare) which is similar to the one Lois Tverberg is referring to is used and it occurs a total of 316 times in the King James Version of the Old Testament. Fear is a common human emotion which affects all of us at some time or other. Some people are paralysed by fear or anxiety and it can become a serious psychological condition. Even if we choose to bury this fear, it is present in our subconscious and often manifests itself in our dreams. Sometimes fear is completely irrational and illogical but it is nevertheless real to the person experiencing it. It may take different forms and will vary according to our situation and our personality and experience.
Fear of failure; fear of loss of income; fear of loss of property; fear of illness or poor health; fear of dying; fear of nuclear war; fear of an uncertain future; fear of being attacked when out at night etc. etc.
Origin of fear. One thing struck me forcibly as I looked at these Hebrew words for fear, fear is associated with sin and the fall of humankind. Just look back at the book of Genesis and we discover that Adam experienced a new emotion in the Garden of Eden after he had sinned by disobeying God's clear command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid [Hebrew word yare]because I was naked; so I hid.”
There are many examples throughout the Old Testament of this fear and its negative effects. Even in the book of Genesis, we learn that Sarah is afraid of God (Genesis 18:15), Jacob is afraid of his scheming, devious father-in-law Laban (Genesis 31:31) and he is afraid of Esau (Genesis 32:7). This last reference shows the impact of such fear: Jacob is 'greatly afraid and distressed.' Jacob has a tendency to be a DIY type of guy. He tries to deal with his fears by coming up with ingenious plans and schemes. He is reluctant to leave the matter with God.
That leads me on to the last point in our study of the word 'fear.' It is really encouraging to notice that the word 'fear' is often accompanied by the word 'not.' The term 'fear not' is used 365 times in the Bible according to a poster available on Amazon. That will include New Testament references where the Hebrew word is not used. In the book of Genesis, God's angel tells Hagar to 'Fear not!' (Genesis 21:17). Things are really desperate for Hagar. She was the personal maid to Sarah, the wife of Abraham and she gave birth to a son by Abraham. This had been sanctioned by Sarah but jealousy crept in and Sarah decided to get rid of her handmaid. She is banished along with her wee baby boy and she finds herself in a desperate situation. She is in the desert without food and is finding it hard to watch her baby die. The message from the Lord via His angel came just at the right time. You and I maybe need to hear that message today. "Fear not!"
In closing, I want to refer to another instance of 'fear not.'
23 From there he went up to Beersheba. 24 That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”
This passage refers to Isaac, the son of Abraham. He is facing a difficult situation over the ownership of wells which were vital to sustain a family and a large herd in the desert. It looks as if there is going to be a battle with some men who are feeling that Isaac has cheated them. This message can apply to you and me today. "Do not be afraid for I am with you." Jesus has promised to be with us and we have the presence of God's Holy Spirit, the comforter who came down after Jesus ascended to heaven.
I want to quote a verse from the prophet Isaiah which is applicable to every child of God:
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. [Isaiah 41:10 NIV]
If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus, this verse is a comfort and consolation for you today in whatever circumstances you find yourself. Satan wants us to be crippled with fear; God wants you to trust the God of the impossible.
Fear meaning reverence.
There is a proper fear or reverence for God which also comes from the Hebrew words - particularly the word 'yirah' to which Lois Tverberg referred.
In the fear [Hebrew yirah] of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life that one may turn away from the snares of death. [Proverbs 14:26 - 27 ESV]
I love the passage in Genesis which uses the other Hebrew word for 'fear'.
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." And he was afraid [Hebrew yare] and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."
May we have an experience similar to this and discover the reality of God's presence in our home, our church our lives. This will cause us to 'fear' God in the way He wants us to - with worship and reverence for the holiness and majesty of His presence.
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