Hi, this is Claire. I had been dusting off this study on of "Fear of the Lord" since it follows nicely in sequence from a consideration of the three spiritual attributes: wisdom, knowledge and understanding; however I lost it in my computer or on the internet or some place. Any way I had been reading your chapter summaries and the recent dialog on idols, statues, relics and holy water. Then I remembered that this thread on “fear” of the Lord” was in a Zen dialog I’m having with this nice Dominican abbot named Robert and I found it. Praise the Lord. As John seems to in book one of his institutes, I find these definitions somewhat fluid because by their nature they are dynamic and unique in each person's life; much the same way that each person's relationship with God is dynamic and unique. For me, this leaves a lot of hope that various venues of faith within our Christian life leave room for folks to know Jesus and find the wonderful workings of the Holy Spirit in their life. Within the context of Christianity, I always look for a place of agreement; most of the time this works well for me though some times the differences are remarkable. This little discourse on “fear” of the Lord might be pertinent to a consideration of idols, relecs, and even the perspective of papal infallibility because how you translate the Hebrew and Greek words which turn into our English word “fear” has a lot to do with how you view God and His relationship to us. I would consider this part of a study on holiness and to understand this very perfect attribute of God you must first understand the spiritual tools He provides for us to seek holiness (e.g.: wisdom, knowledge and understanding) and then I try to see what I can perceive of God’s plan in His purpose.

 In my studies, with various Christian groups, I feel that, while "fear" is grammatically correct and a consistent translation for these passages, both the ancient Hebrew and Greek words that are used permit our translation to the use of the verbs: revere and reverence ... a definition that I find more consistent with the verses which focus on wisdom, knowledge and understanding ... and ... perhaps an image that permits us to continue our study toward a consideration of holiness today. In context, a dictionary review of reverence is associated with: esteem, respect, veneration, devotion, regard with great respect, awe ...

These are a lot of passages in scripture which help me to begin a definition of fear of the Lord ... the term "fear" in these old testament verses is the Hebrew word “yawray” which can also be translated as revere or to hold in reverence ... this translation seem more consistent with my understanding of this revelation ... additionally, the new testament verses, in this study which reference “fear of the Lord”, use the Greek word “phobeo” which also can also be translated as verbs to revere or to hold in reverence ... each time I study this thread of revelation, regardless of the verse references, it seems there is always linkage between this very special reverence for God and the relationship of the people of God with each other in the current and following generations ... not too far from the two great commandments - to love God and our neighbor ... note a few key verses:

Malachi 3; 16 – 17 …... those who fear the Lord speak often with one another ... the Lord heeds and hears them ... a book of remembrance is written before Him of those who fear the Lord ... and ... think on His name ... they shall be mine says the Lord ... my special possession ... note: the Hebrew word here for speak is always in a positive sense carrying with it connotations to commune, teach or think ... the Hebrew word translated "special possession" is segoollaw - a more literal translation might be "a closely guarded treasure"

Lk 1; 50 … This is a verse within Mary's testimony to Elizabeth ... His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation

 Jer 32; 37 – 39 … ...I will bring them back ... and ... they will dwell in safety ... and ... they shall be my people ... and ... I will be their God ... I will give them ... one heart ... one way ... that they may fear Me ... for their own good ... and ... the good of their children ...

Is 33; 5 – 6 … ... the Lord ... is the stability of your times ... an abundance of salvation, wisdom and knowledge ... the fear of the Lord is His treasure ...

I  believe that a good summary of these four verses might be: "those who hold the Lord in reverence will study with one another and think on His name from generation to generation ... the Lord remembers them ... they are His treasure ... their reverence for Him is His treasure ... He will have mercy on them ... they will dwell in safety and be His people ... with ... one heart ... one way ... for their good and the good of their children.” I think John would like this.

I find the sequence of the spiritual gifts: wisdom, knowledge and understanding, reflected in many verses of scripture which have a unique harmony within each verse and with each other. Note some examples:

 1 John 5;8 … these are the three witnesses: “Spirit, Water and Blood”

Mat. 7;7 … Jesus teaches: “Ask and it will be given, Seek and you will find, Knock and it will be opened”

John 14;6 … Jesus says of Himself, “I am the: Way, Truth and Life”

Micah 6:8 … What does the Lord require? “Do justice, Love kindness and Walk humbly with your God”

Prov. 22;4 … the reward for humility and reverence (fear) for the Lord is: “Riches, Honor and Life”

At this point, I will begin to substitute the translation "reverence" for the word "fear" in both old and new testament references. Note the following verses:

 Prov. 15;33 … “reverence for the Lord is instruction in wisdom and humility goes before honor”

Ps. 115;9-13 … “trust in the Lord … He is your help … and … shield … He will bless those who have reverence for Him … both great and small …”

Ps 25;12-14 … “... who is the man who has reverence for the Lord? ... God will instruct him in the way that he should choose ... the friendship of the Lord is for those who have reverence for Him ... He makes known to him His covenant ...”

Ps103;10-18 … “... He does not deal with us according to our sins ... or ... our iniquities ... His steadfast love is toward those who have reverence for Him ... the Lord pities those who have reverence for Him ... His righteousness is extended to those who keep his covenant ... and ... remember His commandments”

Deut.10;12-13 … “ ... What does the Lord, your God, require of you: …  to have reverence for the Lord …  to walk in His ways … to love Him … to serve the Lord with all your heart and soul … to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord”

The only problem with long studies, like this one, is that they can start to look pretty complicated when God has actually made everything quite simple ... I’m not searching for some formula or a secret process that unlocks the power of God …  what the principle of “reverence for the Lord” can teach us is that God seems to accommodate each person within the context of her/his faith at any given point in time ... my purpose is to seek a better understanding of this thread of scripture as it seems central to our personal relationship with God and also our relationship to each other ...

All spiritual attributes start with God ... I find that it appears “reverence for God” is the beginning of wisdom ... wisdom is an attribute that I can work on with the gifts that I have as a human being ... through spiritual wisdom, I can gain, from God, a knowledge of His will or if you prefer His purpose for me ... as I develop this attribute of wisdom and I find I also have an increasing knowledge of God's will, subsequently I am able to gain a greater understanding, in a spiritual context, of what our world is actually about and what is spiritually important in a person's life ... if I or perhaps better if we "grow" in God's gift of understanding, it permits God to move closer to us in our daily life and in that process we move as individuals from a knowledge of God's will to an increasing personal knowledge of God through His revelation in Jesus Christ, as John has so nicely stated in his institutes: "through scripture and the working of His Spirit in our life, through that "small, still, voice" we all have inside of us and through our interactions with each other in the local church". The spiritual attributes of wisdom, knowledge and understanding are enabled by the Holy Spirit as we study scripture. The process permits “reverence for God” to increase in my (and your) life which develops "depth" in our on-going relationship with God. I feel, this concept of "depth" in our relationship with God, is simple and obvious ... we all encountered it when we first professed our faith in Jesus Christ and many times following ...   

The purpose of the several harmonics-of-three, listed above, is for reference to this theme of increasing "depth" in our relationship with God ... similar to Revelation 17; 14: "and those with Him are called, chosen and faithful" ... and also consistent with the spiritual principle we find in Gal. 4: 9: "now that you have come to know God, or rather be known by God" ... and ... James 4: 8: "draw near to God and he will draw near to you".... Many of the parables which Jesus has regarding the Kingdom-of-Heaven provide an image of transcending relationship with God, or if you prefer God’s desire to have a transcending relationship with each of us. Ta Ta