THE FEAR OF THE LORD
by Randall Hardy
A STUDY BASED AROUND THE BOOK OF PROVERBS.
What Jesus taught about the fear of the Lord.
- Matt. 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body,
but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who
is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
- Luke 12:5 :4 "And I say to you, My friends, do
not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that
have no more they can do. :5 But I warn you who to
fear: fear the One who after he has killed has authority
to cast into hell; yes I tell you fear Him!"
is said elsewhere in the New Testament about the fear of
the Lord.
- Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee
and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on
in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy
Spirit, it continued to increase.
- Acts 10:2,22 Cornelius was a Gentile who feared the Lord.
- Acts 10:35 (Peter speaking :34-43); :34 "I most
certainly understand [now] that God is not one to show
partiality, :35 but in every nation the man who
fears Him, and does what is right is welcome to Him."
- Roms. 11:20,21 :20 ..Quite right, they were broken
off for their unbelief, and you stand by your faith. Do
not be conceited but FEAR; :21 for if God did not
spare the natural branches neither will He spare you.
- 2.Cor. 5:11 :10 For we must all appear before the
judgement seat of Christ, that each one may be
recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what
he has done, whether good or bad. :11 Therefore
knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but are
made manifest to God;...
- 2.Cor. 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let
us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and
spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- Eph. 5:21 ...and be subject to one another in the fear of
Christ.
- Phlp. 2:12 :12 ...work out your own salvation in
fear and trembling; :13 For it is God who is at work
in you to, both to do and to work for [His] good pleasure.
- Col. 3:22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your
masters on earth,.....fearing the Lord.
- Heb. 10:31 (:26-31) It is a terrifying thing to fall into
the hands of the living God.
- 1.Pet. 1:17 And if you address as Father the One who
impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct
yourselves in fear during the time of your stay [on earth].
- 1.Pet. 2:17 Honour all men; love the brotherhood, fear
God, honour the king.
- Rev. 11:18 (24 Elders worshipped saying :17&18) ...and
the time [came] for dead to be judged and [the time] to
give their reward to Your bond-servants the prophets and
to the saints and to those who fear Your name, the small
and the great...
References in the Book of Proverbs.
- Prv. 1:7 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF
KNOWLEDGE; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
- Prv. 1:29 (Wisdom speaking :20-33); :28 They
will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me
diligently, but they will not find me. :29 Because
they hated knowledge, And did not CHOOSE the fear of the
Lord.
- Prv. 2:5 (:1 ff); :4 If you seek her (Wisdom)
as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; :5 Then
you will DISCERN the fear of the Lord, and discover the
knowledge of God, :6 For the Lord gives wisdom;...
- Prv. 3:7 :5 Trust in the Lord with all your
heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. :6 In
all you ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths
straight. :7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; FEAR
the Lord and turn away from evil. :8 It will be
healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.
- Prv. 8:13 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS TO HATE EVIL;...
- Prv. 9:10 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF
WISDOM, And the knowledge of the Holy one is
understanding.
- Prv. 10:27 THE FEAR OF THE LORD PROLONGS LIFE, But the
years of the wicked will be shortened.
- Prv. 14:2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
but he who is crooked in his ways despises Him.
- Prv. 14:26,27 :26 In the fear of the Lord there is
strong confidence, And His children will have refuge. :27 THE
FEAR OF THE LORD IS A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE, That one may
avoid the snares of death.
- Prv. 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
- Prv. 15:33 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE INSTRUCTION FOR
WISDOM, and before honour [comes] humility.
- Prv. 16:6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned
for, and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
- Prv. 19:23 THE FEAR OF THE LORD [LEADS] TO LIFE, so that
one may sleep satisfied untouched by evil.
- Prv. 22:4 The reward of humility [and] the fear of the
Lord Are riches, honor and life.
- Prv. 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But [live]
in the fear of the Lord always.
- Prv. 24:21 My son, fear the Lord and the King;...
- Prv. 31:30 :30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
[But] a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. :31 Give
her the fruit of her hands, and let her work praise her
in the gates.
beginning of wisdom and knowledge.
- Prv. 1:7 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF
KNOWLEDGE;
- Prv. 9:10 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF
WISDOM,
- Prv. 15:33 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE INSTRUCTION FOR
WISDOM,
- Job 28:28 And to man He said, "Behold the fear of
the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is
understanding."
- Ps. 25:12,14 :12 Who is the man who FEARS the Lord?
He will instruct him in the way he should choose. :13 His
soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will
inherit the land. :14 The counsel of the Lord is for
those who FEAR Him, And He will make them know his
covenant.
- Ps. 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom; A good understanding have all who do [His
commandments]: His praise endures forever.
- Prv. 1:29 (Wisdom speaking :20-33); :28 They
will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me
diligently, but they will not find me. :29 Because
they hated knowledge, And did not CHOOSE the fear of the
Lord.
- Prv. 2:5 (:1 cf); :4 If you seek her (Wisdom)
as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; :5 Then
you will DISCERN the fear of the Lord, and discover the
knowledge of God, :6 For the Lord gives wisdom;...
- Isa. 11:2,3 :1 Then a shoot will spring up from the
stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear
fruit. :2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon
Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit
of counsel and of strength, the spirit of knowledge and
the FEAR of the Lord. :3 And He will delight in the
FEAR of the Lord, And he will not judge by what His eyes
see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear; :4 But
with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide
with fairness for the afflicted of the earth;...
- Isa. 33:6 :5 The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on
high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness,
:6 And He shall be the stability of your times, a
wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of
the Lord is His treasure.
Is to hate evil.
- Prv. 8:13 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS TO HATE EVIL;
- Exd. 20:20 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be
afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in
order that the fear of Him may remain with you so that
you do not sin."
- Lev. 19:14 You shall not curse a deaf man nor place a
stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your
God; I am the Lord.
:32 You shall ris up before the greyheaded and honor the
face of the aged, and you shall fear your God; I am the
Lord.
- Lev. 25:17 So you shall not wrong one another, but you
shall fear your God; I am the Lord your God.
:36 Do not take interest and usury from him, but fear
your God,...
:43 You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to
fear your God.
- Deu. 5:29 "Oh that they had such a heart in them,
that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments
always, that it may be well with them and with their sons
forever!"
- Deu. 6:13 You shall fear [only] the Lord your God; and
shall worship Him, and swear by His name. (Context
possessing the land)
- Deu. 7:21 You shall not dread them, for the Lord your God
is in your midst, a great and AWESOME God.
- Deu. 10:12 :12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord
your God require from you,but to FEAR the Lord your God,
to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
:13 [and] to keep the Lord's commandments and His
statutes....
:17 :16 Circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck
no more. :17 For the Lord your God is the God of
gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and
the AWESOME God....
:20,21 :20 You shall FEAR the Lord your God; you
shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by
His name.:21 He is your praise and He is your God,
who has done these great and AWESOME things for you which
your eyes have seen.
- Deu. 13:4 You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him;
and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice,
serve Him, and cling to Him. (Context rejecting false
prophets)
- Jos. 24:14 Now therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in
sincerity and truth;...
- 1.Sam. 12:24 Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth
with all your heart; for consider what great things He
has done for you.
- 2.Chr. 19:7 Now then let the FEAR of the Lord be
upon you; be very careful what you do,for the Lord our
God will have no part in unrighteousness, or partiality,
or in the taking of a bribe.
- Job 1:1 ...Job, and that man was blameless, upright,
fearing God and turning away from evil. (Also 1:8 & 2:3)
- Ps. 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring
for ever;
- Ps. 34:11 :11 Come you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord. :12 Who is
the man who desires life, And loves [length of] days that
he may see good? :13 Keep your tongue from evil, and
your lips from speaking deceit. :14 Depart from
evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
- Ps. 36:1 :1 Transgression speaks to the
ungodly within his heart; There is NO FEAR of God before
his eyes. :2 For it flatters him in [his] own eyes,...
(Also Rom. 3:18)
- Ps. 130:4 :3 IF YOU, LORD SHOULD MARK INIQUITIES, O
LORD, WHO COULD STAND? BUT THERE IS FORGIVENESS WITH YOU,
THAT YOU MAY BE FEARED.
- Prv. 3:7 :5 Trust in the Lord with all your
heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. :6 In
all you ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths
straight. :7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; FEAR
the Lord and turn away from evil. :8 It will be
healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.
- Prv. 16:6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is
atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away
from evil.
- Ecc. 12:13 :13 The conclusion, when all has
been heard, [is] FEAR God and keep His commandments,
because this [applies to] every person. :14 Because
God will bring every act to judgement, everything which
is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
- Jer. 32:39,40 "...:38 And they shall be
my people, and I will be their God; :39 and I will
give them one heart and one way, that they may FEAR me
always, for their own good, and for [the good of] their
children after them. :40 And I will make an
everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away
from them, to do them good;and I will put the FEAR of Me
in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me."
- Mal. 3:5 .."Then I will draw near to you for
judgement; and I will be a swift witness against the
sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those
who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage
earner in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, and
those who turn aside the sojourner, and do not FEAR Me,"
says the Lord of hosts.
- 2.Cor. 7:1 Therefor, having these promises, beloved let
us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and
spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Leads to life.
- Prv. 10:27 THE FEAR OF THE LORD PROLONGS LIFE,
- Prv. 14:27 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE,
- Prv. 19:23 THE FEAR OF THE LORD [LEADS] TO LIFE,
- Deu. 6:2 :1 Now this is the commandment, the
statutes and the judgements which the Lord your God has
commanded [me] to teach you, that you might do [them] in
the land where you are going over to possess it, :2 so
that you and your son and your grandson might FEAR the
Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His
commandments, which I command you, all the days of your
life, and that your days may be prolonged.
- 2.Sam. 23:3 :3 ..."He who rules over men
righteously, Who rules in the fear of God, :4 Is as
the light of the morning [when] the sun rises..."
- Ps. 31:19 How great is Your goodness, that You have
stored up for those who fear You....
- Ps. 33:18 :18 Behold the eye of the Lord is on those
who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, :19 To
deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in
famine.
- Ps. 34:7,9,11 :7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who FEAR Him, And rescues them. :8 O
taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the
man who takes refuge in Him! :9 O FEAR the Lord, you
His saints; For to those who FEAR Him there is no want. :10 The
young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek
the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing :11 Come
you children, listen to me; I will teach you the FEAR of
the Lord. :12 Who is the man who desires life, And
loves [length of] days that he may see good? :13 Keep
your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and
pursue it.
- Ps. 61:5 For You have heard my vows, O God; You have
given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name.
- Ps. 85:9 Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in the land.
- Ps. 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
:13 Just as a father has compassion on [his] children, So
the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
:17 But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from
everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. (Luke 1:50)
- Ps. 112:1 Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man
who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his
commandments. (ff)
- Ps. 115:11 You who fear the Lord trust in the Lord;...
:13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, the small
together with the great.
- Ps. 118:4 Oh let those who fear the Lord say,
"His lovingkindness is everlasting."
- Ps. 128:1,4 :1 How blessed is everyone who
FEARS the Lord, Who walks in His ways. :2 When you
shall eat the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and
it will be well with you. :3 Your wife will be like
a fruitful vine, Within your house, Your children like
olive plants Around your table. :4 Behold, for thus
shall the man be blessed Who FEARS the Lord....
- Ps. 145:19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear
Him; He will also hear their cry and save them.
- Ps. 147:11 The Lord favours those who fear Him,
Those who wait for His lovingkindness.
- Prv. 3:7 :5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding. :6 In all
you ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths
straight. :7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; FEAR
the Lord and turn away from evil. :8 It will be
healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.
- Prv. 22:4 The reward of humility [and] the fear of the
Lord Are riches, honor and life.
- Ecc. 8:12,13 :12 Although a sinner does evil a
hundred [times] and may lengthen his [life], still I know
that it will be well for those who FEAR God, who FEAR Him
openly. :13 But it will not be well for the evil man
and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because
he does not fear God.
- Mal. 3:16 :16 Then those who FEARED the Lord spoke
to one another and gave attention and heard [it], and a
book of remembrance was written before Him for those who
FEAR the Lord and who esteem His name. :17 "And
they will be Mine" syas the Lord of Hosts, "on
the day that I prepare [My] own possession, and I will
spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him."
:18 So you will again distinguish between the
righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and
one who does not serve Him.
- 4:2 :1 "For behold the day is coming, burning
like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer
will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them
ablaze," says the Lord of hosts, "so that I
will leave them neither root nor branch." :2 "But
for you who FEAR My name the sun of righteousness will
rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and
skip about like calves from the stall." :3 "And
you will tread down the wicked, for they shall be ashes
under the soles of your feet on the day which I am
preparing," says the Lord of hosts.
Other O.T. references:
- Exd. 15:11 Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is
like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome{fearful} in
praises, working wonders?
- 1.Chr. 16:25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to
be praised; He is also to be feared above all Gods. (Ps. 89:7)
- Ps. 33:8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the
inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
- Ps. 47:2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared, A great
King over all the earth.
- Ps. 60:4 You have given a banner to those who fear You,
That it may be displayed because of Your truth.
- Ps. 67:7 God blesses us, That all the ends of the earth
may fear Him.
- Ps. 86:11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk in your
truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
- Ps. 89:7 A God greatly FEARED in the council of the holy
ones, And AWESOME above all those around Him.
- Ps. 99:3 Let them praise Your great and AWESOME name;
Holy is He.
- Ps. 119:38 Establish Your word to Your servant, As that
which produces fear for You.
- Ps. 119:161 Princes persecute me without cause, But my
heart stands in AWE of Your words.
- Ecc. 3:14 I know that everything God does will remain
forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is
nothing to take from it, for God has [so] worked that men
should fear Him.
- Jer. 10:7 :6 There is none like you, O Lord; You are
great, and great is Your name in might. :7 Who would
not FEAR you, O King of the nations? Indeed it is Your
due! For among all the wise men of the nations, And in
all their kingdoms, There is none like You. (Also Rev. 15:4)
- Gen. 22:12.
- Gen. 28:17.
- Ex. 1:17,21.
- Ex. 14:31.
- Ex. 18:21.
- Deu. 4:10.
- Deu. 6:24.
- Deu. 8:6.
- Deu. 14:23.
- Deu. 17:19.
- Deu. 28:58.
- Deu. 31:12,13.
- 1.Sam. 11:7.
- 1.Sam. 12:14,18.
- 2.Sam. 6:9.
- 1.Kng. 8:23.
- 1.Kng. 18:3,12.
- 2.Kng. 4:1.
- 2.Kng. 17:28,34-41.
- 1.Chr. 13:12.
- 2.Chr. 6:31,33.
- 2.Chr. 14:14.
- 2.Chr. 19:9.
- Neh. 1:5,11.
- Neh. 4:14.
- Neh. 5:9,15.
- Neh. 9:32.
- Job 6:14.
- Ps. 2:11.
- Ps. 15:4.
- Ps. 40:3.
- Ps. 64:9.
- Ps. 66:3,5,16.
- Ps. 68:35.
- Ps. 72:5.
- Ps. 76:7,12.
- Ps. 90:11.
- Ps. 96:4.
- Ps. 102:15.
- Ps. 111:5,9.
- Ps. 119:63,74,79,120.
- Ps. 135:20.
- Ecc. 5:7.
- Ecc. 7:18{?}.
- Isa. 2:10,19,21.
- Isa. 29:13,23.
- Isa. 50:10.
- Isa. 59:19.
- Isa. 63:17.
- Jer. 5:22,24.
- Dan. 9:4.
- Hos. 3:5.
- Mic. 7:17.
- Hag. 1:12.
- Mal. 1:14.
- Mal. 2:5.
Other N.T. references:
- Acts 13:16,26;
- Rev. 14:7;
- Rev. 19:5.
These notes are intended to stimulate personal bible study.
Every effort has been made to be accurate, but the reader should
test everything (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess 5:21). Please report errors
and omissions, and queries unresolved after consulting THE LORD
to the writer: Randall
© R Hardy, 1994. This paper may only be copied in
its entirety for private non-commercial use. All other usage
requires the written permission of the author.
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