The Joy of Being Afraid
How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Proverbs 28:14 NASB
Fear always – We are apt to recite the fact that Scripture exhorts us some 366 times not to fear. This could lead us to imagine that fear has no place in the life of a believer, but that would be a tragic mistake. As we can see from this verse, fear is the basis of bliss! One of the problems with this verse is simply a translation difficulty. The Hebrew word here isn’t yare, the most common word for fear. Yare is the word that is often translated with concepts of awe and reverence. But that’s not what’s happening here, as we shall see.
First we need to clear up the “blessing” in this verse. Like many proclamations in the wisdom literature, the opening Hebrew word here is ashrei, an adverbial form of the verb ‘esher. Ashrei does not mean “Blessed is.” This is not a formula statement for being blessed. Ashrei is a description of the inner state of a man or woman, not a method for attaining some spiritual goal. The same condition applies to the Beatitudes where this Hebrew word is used by Yeshua. “O happy day, O happy day” is more like it.
Secondly, ashrei implies that the man or woman brings about this condition through human effort. That’s the enormous difference between baruch (a verb used to describe God’s blessing action) and ‘esher (a verb used to describe favor produced by human beings). In other words, this state of bliss is in our hands! We don’t have to wait for God to drop it on us or pray for God to “anoint” us with His Spirit. This is ours for the taking. All we need to do is be the kind of person who fears always.
Mefahed tamid rests on the verb pahad. Occurring only twenty-six times in Scripture, it certainly isn’t the basis of the 366 “do not fear” exhortations. Pahad is dread. Deuteronomy 28:66 tells us that those who keep the Torah have no reason to dread (fear) but those who do not follow Torah will come to terror. By extension, a man who “fears” always is a man who puts himself under strict obedience to Torah. Because he takes most seriously the commandments of the Lord, his dread becomes the basis of his bliss.
From a pictographic perspective, pahad means “the word that separates the door.” Dread is the action of distinguishing the open door from the closed one. Dread is tied directly to what is spoken, what comes from the mouth, and for a Hebrew the most important words come from the mouth of the Lord. Those words open the door to life itself. To ignore or refuse them is the equivalent of death. According to Jacob, Isaac served the God of pahad. Isaac, the obedient one, the one who willingly laid down his life on the altar, served the God of dread, the God who provided the only way to life. If mefahed tamid is the direction of your life, you have nothing to fear. If it is not, it’s time for serious reflection. Only the one who dreads finds bliss.
Topical Index: fear, dread, pahad, mefahed tamid, fears always, Proverbs 28:14
I think we have lost a sense of the fear of the LORD in our culture because we have not shown an understanding of His grace….as I see it, all of God’s gifts (“every good and perfect gift is from above”) emanate not from His grace, somehow isolated from His justice, but rather emanates from His mercy first (I Peter 1:3). His mercy is His restraint from giving us what we really deserve (judgment) based upon His justice ….Therefore, when I stand before this Holy God, my response is not how grateful I am that He thought so much of me to save me but rather, like Isaiah, my response before this Holy God is “Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6). But if the gospel is made into nothing more than God’s grace without really understanding His mercy, then what I am left with is presumption upon God’s grace – though I may not profess this to be true, I have twisted grace into something that I deserve, both now and eternally, and then I use His “promises” to simply lock God into His loving nature and gracious response to me which given time, turns grace into entitlement (me-centered gospel). So, rather than a continual sense of awe and fear before this God, God is now somehow required to save me because I agreed with what He told me to agree with verbally and/or cognitively. Yipes….and since the heart of worship is fully appreciating and understanding God’s grace and mercy, and that His grace emanates first from His mercy, worshipers of this God seek only His benefits and tend to diminish His demands. Such a gospel places me at the center of His salvation rather than God at the center of His salvation.
Check out David’s confessional Psalm 51 and how he begins it and then what he acknowledges in response in verse 12: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according the greatness of your compassion, blot out my transgressions…..Restore to me the joy of YOUR salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit….” No presumption here on God’s salvation and the immediate cry of the heart is “have mercy on me.” This is what we have lost and with this, an appropriate fear of the LORD is virtually an impossibility.
David, i have seen in your posts & a few (maybe several) other – the way you do your ellipses (…) & then a bolder period (.) after them & i am unable to perform that from my keyboard – how do you accomplish this/that – just really really curios??? is that a html coding function??? AND how do some people have their names in bold & underlined (not a link – links are blue)??? i have questions below on verses 8 & 11… jan
Psalm 51
King James Version (KJV)
Psalm 51
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. (has GOD really broken David’s bones???)
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. (so would God take the Holy Spirit from us if we continue to sin???)
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
No idea on the formatting issues. Suspect the “bones” that have been broken in verse 8 is likely an idiom/metaphor of the depth to which God has reached in David’s life to convict him of his sin with Bathsheba etc. David is “broken”; longing for God to replace/restore/renew his joy out of “broken-ness.” As to verse 11, I find this verse to be one more evidence that David makes no presumption upon God’s mercy and grace (which is the response of one who recognizes he deserves nothing from God but His justice) and that the most significant thing in his life, is the very presence and anointing of God in and upon his life. Not that God will or won’t take the spirit away from David only that this is his greatest desire (presence and pleasure of God) and greatest “dread” (absence or displeasure of God). And help me out here but didn’t David see this very thing happen in the life of his predecessor, King Saul?
David, okay first off i will address your answer/response to the formatting issues – i don’t appreciate being lied to about the formatting issues – you do it & you know how because it appears on your postings – there is not a little demon doing it for you… i am a sister in Christ & you dismiss me so easily through a lie… 🙁 it is these little details that are tell tale of what a man is inside… ♥
of all that David did – why would you bring up Bathsheba (etc.)??? she/that issue was just one of many sins (an affair, then murder, all his life bloodshed to the point of not being allowed to build the temple) – like a woman caused it but it was a precious choice he/David made just like with us – we will bear the consequences of our sin & maybe others will have to bear it too…
regarding Saul: if God is in control & nothing is coincidence (for me that is the way i believe) then the circumstances in Saul & David’s lives were already planned by God – so did whomever make the wrong choice the first time in choosing Saul or was it the timing – i think it is always the timing with God. David was too young at the time Saul was chosen as King – it was not David’s time yet but when it did become David’s time – God did the work/job & David became King. David knew that God was in control & that is why he/David did not force anything until it was the right time with God – he held back several times in taking things into his/David’s own hands because of his/David’s fear & respect of God’s timing & Saul’s position still standing with God. He/David knew that God would let him/David know when his/David’s time had/has come – what a tight rope/tension to play out in the Kingdom when you know you are the true chosen one from God. Don’t you know that when David’s spirit rose up in him & he had the courage & boldness to slay Goliath that he knew within his spirit that God was with him – he/David probably knew from his childhood because of the way he was treated by his brothers – such envy they had for him – i’m sure that David knew in his spirit that God had him destined for greater things than usual. i’m sure it is just a knowing that he had…
i’m sure David saw many things in Saul that could possible happen to him/David in the future & hopefully that would teach a man something but again, even when people warn us – if we would just listen we could save ourselves some trouble perhaps when David was younger & truly relying on the Lord for answers & protection – he was closer to God; but then when he was an older more experienced man resting from battles & perhaps somewhat more secure in his place in the Kingdom & not so relying on God’s wisdom & protection (he/David is King now & all that Saul stuff is behind him – now he can relax); he/David took his eyes off God & they landed on Bathsheba – how often does that happen in our day – the covenant of marriage doesn’t mean much in this world we live in to many people (but there is also a remnant here too).
How many times do we see things as truth & live them in our younger years & then get comfortable in our older years where we are more established & less God-fearing – just like David. I’m sure David saw many things flash before his eyes – especially when Nathan (the prophet consulted by David) identified him/David as “that man.” So when David saw what happened to him/David had happened to Saul how do you think that made him feel – like how could i have let this happen to me also???
YES, IN THE LIFE OF EVERY BELIEVER RESIDE THE GREATEST DESIRE & THE GREATEST DREAD & I CALL THEM HEAVEN & HELL & WE CAN EXPERIENCE THEM BOTH HERE ON THIS EARTH… ♥
JAN
Only guessing here but if I put periods (…) x 4 then the auto-text formatting probably thinks I am extending my sentence without writing the actual words and so like any good sentence, every good sentence must have an end so it places the bold period (.) simply because I put too many periods. No deception intended and while I might claim ignorance, I would not have any intention of lying about something like this nor to you certainly. Mea culpa.
The English translation here has David using the term “iniquity”, “sin” and “transgressions.” I suspect he wasn’t just describing his sin with Bathsheba either. Suppose that was just my Sunday School background and my memory that it was David’s wandering eye, at a time when he probably should have been in battle, that led him from lust of the eyes, to desire of the heart to the physical act of adultery with Bathsheba, which then led to the conspiracy, the complicity to murder Uriah, the attempts to cover-up etc etc etc. I think with Nathan’s little story, David certainly knew who was the prime sinner (not once does he blame Bathsheba or God for putting Bathsheba providentially within his eye-shot) and Psalm 51 just confirms David’s understanding of that fact.
King Saul is a complete curiousity to me. Good looking and strappy young man and opportunistic at that (like Governor Perry from Texas)…just when the people are saying they want a king like all of the other nations and God is reluctantly agreeing to the idea of a king, along comes Saul and he fits the bill and God through Samuel places His anointing on this King Saul…As memory serves me, though, King Saul has a disobedience problem and when confronted doesn’t quite respond in the way David does when confronted by Nathan. David becomes the anointed by divine appointment rather than by Samuel’s pre-employment questionnaire or by the plea and approval of the people, but doesn’t usurp God’s timing and even takes great pains not to offend God’s placement of authority on King Saul…And finally, I recall King Saul all but going mad and consulting witches etc. So while I also have a big picture of God’s providence, I can also see where David might just have had some understanding of what God’s presence and pleasure and what God’s “removal of his spirit” (anointing) and displeasure from an individual in high authority who was his predecessor to the throne …what that might just look like. Ergo verse 11, possibly.
Skip,
“From a pictographic perspective, pahad means “the word that separates the door.” Dread is the action of distinguishing the open door from the closed one. Dread is tied directly to what is spoken, what comes from the mouth, and for a Hebrew the most important words come from the mouth of the Lord. Those words open the door to life itself. To ignore or refuse them is the equivalent of death. According to Jacob, Isaac served the God of pahad. Isaac, the obedient one, the one who willingly laid down his life on the altar, served the God of dread, the God who provided the only way to life. If mefahed tamid is the direction of your life, you have nothing to fear. If it is not, it’s time for serious reflection. Only the one who dreads finds bliss.”
Could this pictorial understanding of “Pahad” be in the mind of Yeshua when he speaks of being the door in John 10.
Shalom,
Curious Lu
It could very well be part of Yeshua’s reference. We don’t know for sure, of course, but one thing we do know. The use of pahad is quite unusual, even in Genesis, and requires serious study. thanks for offering this.
Okay, David – i’m not quite sure what to think of your explanation for the bold period (.) & the 3 dots (which are called ellipses & they always come/should appear as only 3 dots…) there is no bold in this text we type here that can be bold without coding it that way as i am seeing above this box i am typing in right now (as seen below):
XHTML: You can use these tags:
Okay, David – i’m not quite sure what to think of your explanation for the bold period (.) & the 3 dots (which are called ellipses & they always come/should appear as only 3 dots…) there is no bold in this text we type here that can be bold without coding it that way as i am seeing above this box i am typing in right now (as seen below):
XHTML: You can use these tags: had to remove them because they messed up the post…
the above is the only way anything can be bolded in this text – you would have to manually do/code it to be bold & thank GOD i know i can use Google Translator to read your Latin ( Mea culpa / Is my fault.)
SO, again – you are much smarter than that & the explanation did not work 4 me (imagine that)… a lie again & why – is this a pop quiz 4 u or me… 🙁
and you agreed so eloquently with everything i stated/typed to your first comment/post & i had to look up what “ergo” verse 11 meant…
what i question is the adultery with Bathsheba – didn’t the Kings all have concubines & more than one wife – i am pretty sure David did also – so was it adultery in the eyes of their culture or just in the eyes of God & Torah??? We all know the consequences to the act of adultery with Bathsheba was the death of a baby or at least that is what we have been led to believe or learned in Sunday School also & the scriptures. SO, providentially David’s lust & wandering eye was meant to be with Bathsheba & then Solomon his son was conceived after the first baby died & the story goes on in history…
I do believe that David was a mighty man of valor & was accountable & was not the type of man to whine & make excuses or blame it on God or Bathsheba – he had the balls to own up to it & he certainly knew when he was caught & called on the carpet by Nathan – David was a very smart man – one after God’s own heart as we all know from scripture – he knew God well enough from Torah to know that you don’t mess around with HIM when HE is holding you accountable – i probably would have stayed on my face too until the decision was made by God & the baby no longer lived & he/David got up & dusted himself off & carried on with God at his side & with Bathsheba (imagine that)… who knows what God spoke to him as he lay prostrate those days with his face in the dust/ground – i’m sure there was much conversation going on then…
i think that all goes to say a lot about repentance & turning away – when a man or a woman can truly repent & not do this sin again & God knows the man/woman’s heart then the problem is taken care of but there were long standing consequences all throughout David’s life after that – not a very reputable household going forth…
yes, Saul became desperate & let it drive him crazy & made many more mistakes as he went forth – consulting witches & the like – even like some do today…
i think it all boils down to the fact that David from a young age was Torah observant & may have personally experienced & knew the presence of the Holy Spirit & therefore walked his life in a different way even in the presence of sinning & knew how to humble himself & repent… David was God’s man & God knew it & David knew it & both were patient with one another… ♥
i also like the short story (if any) about David & Abigail – was he still married to Bathsheba when he took Abigail to be his wife??? http://www.google.com/search?aq=f&gcx=c&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=abigail+in+the+bible
I WOULD RATHER BE AN ABIGAIL ANY TIME THAN A BATHSHEBA… ♥
The story of Abigail in 1 Samuel 25 is a story of one of the most faithful and honorable women mentioned in God’s Word – definitely a woman of integrity!
Abigail’s Foolish Husband Nabal
After the death of the prophet Samuel (vs. 1), David and his men moved into the wilderness of Paran just a few miles from the city of Carmel (1 Samuel 25:1-2). While in this region, David became acquainted with a man named Nabal whose name means “Fool” (marginal reading – 1 Samuel 25:25). The word signifies one who is “foolish, base, or villainous.” It is also interesting to note that “he was of the house of Caleb.” The name, “Caleb” signifies “a dog” or a man of a “churlish” (stingy or mean) disposition (1 Samuel 25:3). It is unfortunate that Abigail was married to such a man. David (through his servants) asked Nabal to provide some necessary sustenance (vs. 8) for him and his men but Nabal refused (1 Samuel 25:10-11). We can plainly see the bloated ego of this man in 1 Samuel 25:11 where the personal pronoun “I” or “my” is used seven times!
Abigail’s Character Illustrated
Fortunately, one of David’s servants told Nabal’s wife concerning the insults that had been hurled at his fellow servants by Nabal (1 Samuel 25:14) even though David’s men had protected Nabal’s men and sheep from outside forces (1 Samuel 25:15-16). As soon as Abigail heard of her husband’s insulting behavior toward David, she began to make preparations to make up for his foolish actions. Without telling her husband of her plan (1 Samuel 25:19), she and her servants prepared a large amount of food and drink and traveled to where David and his men were camped (1 Samuel 25:18-20). Abigail prevented certain disaster regarding herself and her family by humbling herself before David (1 Samuel 25:23-31). Abigail did an extraordinary thing when she took the blame for the sin of her husband (1 Samuel 25:28). She humbled herself and interceded for her people before David. Desiring to intercede on behalf of one’s family requires a character of humility, sacrifice and personal cost. The result of Abigail’s actions was that David’s heart was softened and he was kept from bloodshed that day. He accepted her offering and granted her request (1 Samuel 25:35). Abigail was godly in that:
1) She was a wise woman – She recognized the need to humble herself and intercede for her people before David and was willing to do so (1 Samuel 25:28).
2) She was a courageous woman – Abigail risked her life, firstly by not telling her husband of her plans. In those times women were their husband’s property. Nabal was a wealthy man (vs. 2) – she could have lost everything – even her life, for taking matters into her own hands. Secondly, going to meet David was very risky – can you imagine riding into that mountain ravine on a donkey (1 Samuel 25:20) and coming towards you are 400 men with swords and an angry leader at their head? (1 Samuel 25:13). But Abigail was a courageous woman and her motive was to plead for the lives of others – she didn’t think of herself – she was prepared to die.
Note: We may not be called to risk our lives, but we too can be bold and courageous. We can speak out against injustice and intercede for the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17 – ESV).
3) She was a prophetic woman – Abigail spoke prophetic words to David. David realized this and as a result much bloodshed was averted that day (1 Samuel 25:33).
4) She Was a faithful woman – She believed in God and spoke forth His message to David (1 Samuel 25:26). Abigail was rewarded for her faithfulness – she became wife to David, the future King (1 Samuel 25:42).
Conclusion
Abigail was certainly a woman of integrity and destiny along with many other women we read about in the Bible who God used in extraordinary ways – Esther, Deborah, Hannah, Mary, to name just a few. These women did remarkable things in their day and generation. God wants us to do remarkable things for Him in our day and generation! (Matthew 28:19-20). YOU NOTICE BATHSHEBA IS NOT LISTED/MENTIONED HERE…
The question we need to ask ourselves is, “are we willing to display the integrity and courage in our lives that Abigail displayed in hers in carrying out the Lord’s will?” (Matthew 7:21).
Then David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand.
Then she arose, bowed her face to the earth, and said, “Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” So Abigail rose in haste and rode on a donkey, attended by five of her maidens; and she followed the messengers of David, and became his wife. Abigail from the Bible 1 Samuel 25:32-33 and 41-42
The remnant of Israel do no perversity, nor speak lies, Nor found in their mouth is a deceitful tongue, For they have delight, and have lain down, And there is none troubling. Zephaniah 3:13 (Young)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. I’m not so sure if it (the fear of the LORD) isn’t the end also. The Alpha and the Omega- and all in between- “blessed is the man (any man)- who always fears the LORD.
Just how “involved” is G-d in your life and mine?- may I? – Selah. (the pause that refreshes..- stop- and think about this. Let this settle in a bit. Just what do I “owe” to my ADONAI.
I could, should and would write pages, but the book would be a heavy tome and laborious reading for many who neither have the time nor the inclination for reading. – We all live under the crush of the clock.
So..-generically speaking- what hasn’t G-d given unto us might be the short answer here. If you are able to think and function- praise G-d for your brain and your body. If you are able to breath in and out- (congratualtions!) – a fine job you are doing there..- go ahead and take another breath and enjoy it immensely- this breathing in and out. Have you ever thanked Him for your breath(s)? I suggest you do it.
Fear precedes love. You cannot love someone you do not respect. Harsh words (yes) but the truth often (ouch!). But as we come to know our Sovereign Shepherd, (yes, Jan – He is totally Sovereign over the good, the bad and the ugly) we “grow” from fear to love.
In order to get to the land of love we must travel through fear. Fear is a mondo part of my life and I daresay yours as well. It is a good thing (sometimes) to be afraid.
What are our fears? – should we start a list? Are we willing to share our fears with each other?- this is true intimacy. What do I fear?
I fear bringing shame to the name “Christian.” “So, you call yourself a Christian huh? -if that is what following Christ is all about, – I’ll have none of it.” You, sir, are a hypocrite, a liar, a thief- etc..” -Ever heard this before? I fear bringing shame to the name of Christ, by “both” my attitudes and my actions.
I actually do pray like this: – “LORD, don’t let me “mess up” today..- I want to live as you lived, to love as you loved, and to think your thoughts, patterning, modeling my life after yours.” And oh, do we ever pray for wisdom..- Why? Our Bible (our book of instruction) says (are we listening?) we are to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves..” lol! – I’d rather float like a butterfly and sting like a bee!
But it is not about what I want- it is what He wants. “not my will- but Thine be done.” A most excellent prayer for all of us would be- “LORD, (ADONAI)- what would You have me to do?” We must be available to Him with clean hands and a clean heart- living for His good pleasure and to know, to recognize and realize the smile of G-d. – (nothing better on the planet!)
This is how I roll:
LORD of every thought and action,
LORD to send, and LORD to stay,
LORD in speaking,writing,giving,
LORD in all things to obey,
LORD of all there is of me,
LORD of earth and heaven, we’ll see
LORD of today and eternity..
it’s not about me, it’s not about you, but it is about us.
Together we are the body and bride of Christ.
now about that “speaking the truth in love..” – I’ve got my work cut out for me today.. And He has said, “without Me- you (carl, skip, mary, david, any man or woman or breathing creature..) can do nothing”- It is G-d (in us) who is at work (in us)- both to will and to do of His good pleasure.. Now, – Who’s in charge? He is. Who’s planet is this? His. Who do we belong to? Him. Who lovingly guideth (and guardeth) our footsteps, and giveth us songs in night? -“It is the LORD..”
“You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is G-d; besides Him there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:35)
REGARDING KING DAVID: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aWEhNqnjuY&feature=relmfu
Pachad reminds me also of wachad, the original basis of ‘Echad, that great Characteristic of Unity and Trustworthyness of the Eternal – blessed be His lovely Name. The explanation of wachad – literally from the original pictographs – is: the linking pin between the wall and the door; i.e. that keeps it all stable and together.
Closely tied to it is the story in Exodus 21:5-6 (pp Deut.15:17) – the servant who wants to commit himself to his master’s house/family forever, because he likes it there. He is set against the doorpost and is fixed to it (for a little while) by his ear with a pin.
I could imagine pachad being the opening (peh) in his ear(lobe?), remaining from that ‘operation’ at the doorpost… Wouldn’t that fit very well here… being always reminded of our gladly/freely accepted servanthood…?