Today’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 23:1 through Leviticus 25:23
Show your fear of God by not taking advantage of each other. I am the Lord your God. –Leviticus 25:17
What is the fear of God? In this scripture the word fear is translated from the Hebrew word yare’ (yaw-ray) which means to fear, revere, be afraid; to stand in awe of, be awed; to fear, reverence, honour, respect; to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe. (H3372, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
Can you imagine a world where Christians never take advantage of other people?
I think God is telling us, if and when we really, really revere, honor and respect Him, we will be different.
How many times have we heard God tell the Israelites they were to be different? It goes back to Leviticus 19:18 “Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” I never realized this was in the Old Testament!
How important is respect to you?
I think for most of us, it’s a pretty big deal. It makes sense since we were made in the image of God and respect is huge for Him, so it stands to reason that it would be important to us. In relationships, respect in key. We could rephrase Leviticus 19:18 and say, ‘respect your neighbor as yourself.’ For God, lack of respect from his children is a deal breaker. It ties his hands.
It took a lot of respect to purposely “not” plant crops during the seventh year (25:8). God told the Israelites that if they did what He commanded (give the land a Sabbath rest) then they could be assured that He will send blessings in the sixth year, so that the land will produce a crop large enough for three years.
This reminds me of the only thing I remember from my college math class. If, then conditional statements…
They’re used every day in mathematical word problems; they’re a huge part of computer programs but most importantly there are hundreds of these statements in the Bible. As parents we make these statements all the time but we don’t always follow thru; “be assured” God always follows through.
The more I think about it, I think this reverential fear/awe/respect is the foundation of a deeper walk with God.
If we really believe God is who he says He is, and He will do what He says He will do,
then belief, trust, commitment and discipline will follow.
I love the phrase, be assured! Friends this is just one more reason to be combing through every Word of the Living God.
If He said it, then be assured it will happen!
Be Assured, what God has promised will come to pass!
©2013, Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 25:24 through Leviticus 26:46
Still believing God will bring to pass a promise he gave me over 34 years ago concerning my daughter. He said it and I believe him.
Elaine, I too am waiting on a promise God gave me for my son 22 years ago. It will come to pass! Thanks for your comment!
Dianne this is such a good word. We are still standing on the promises that God gave us over our son and now our grandson. John 1:79, Isaiah 59:21, II Tim 2:26 and Ezekiel 37:5-6. If we continue to put the word of God in our mouth, it will encourage, strengthen us and bring Him glory. Love you.