And God spoke these words, saying, “I am HaShem your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (20:1-2)
After the above words, God gives what we now call “The Ten Commandments.” It is important to note that God’s expectation that the Israelites will keep His commandments is because He is their God who brought them out of their slavery in Egypt. There is a relationship here. God has already proven His love and power to His people.
Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightening and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin.” (18 -20)
What? Do not fear, but fear? “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin” (18 -20).
I believe Moses was telling the Israelites not to fear, as in not to be afraid that they were going to die, but to have a proper fear, that is awe and respect of God that will keep them from sinning.
It appears one thing that is lacking today, not only among unbelievers, but also among believers, is a fear of God. It seems at one time in our society, God was feared while His love was not understood. There was prevalence of performance-based religiosity. The pendulum has now swung to the place where God’s love and forgiveness are emphasized while people don’t see the need to follow God’s ways, or are casual about it, taking His love and forgiveness for granted.
There is a healthy fear of God that is good for us, because God is God! He is our awesome Creator, Defender, Redeemer, Savior, Provider, and so much more. He is holy and glorious, sacrificial, loving, and yet a consuming fire. He is not our buddy or a genie we have in our pocket to grant us our wishes. He does not exist for us; we exist for Him. So, let’s have a healthy fear of Him along with an understanding of His great love and mercy.
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 puts it well:
And now Israel, what does HaShem your God require of you, but to fear HaShem your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve HaShem your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of HaShem, which I am comm
anding you today for your good?
Oh, that we could remember that God has given his commandments for our good, out of love!
Prayer: Thank You, God for your commandments! Help me to lean into them, and not be careless about them as I sometimes have been. Thank You that You have given these for my good! Amen.
