What is the fear of the Lord?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7a). “The fear of the Lord prolongs days” (Proverbs 10:27). These verses are just two examples of the many blessings associated with fearing the Lord. But what exactly is “fear of the Lord”? The Bible offers us a direct definition: “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13a). Simple enough. It is easy to hate evil. But is there more to it?

We can further understand this concept of “fearing God” by examining the life of Abraham. In Genesis 22:12, after Abraham demonstrated his willingness to obey God's command to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, God declared, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” This profound moment reveals that the fear of the Lord involves complete and unwavering obedience to God's instructions.

The author of Hebrews reinforces this understanding through the example of Jesus Christ: “who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:7-8). Jesus' perfect obedience, even in suffering, exemplifies true godly fear.

From this, we learn another significant blessing: the prayers of those who fear the Lord will be heard. Therefore, as we obey the Lord, we can be confident that our prayers will be answered. May the Lord strengthen us to continue in obedience to Him and to hate evil. Amen.

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