Why is fear of the Lord so important as a follower of Jesus?

It is a baseline response, predicated on our understanding that God is God and we are not-and that there is a gulf that spans an infinite space between our knowledge, abilities, existence even–and God–our Lord, creator, redeemer. I think of the fear of the Lord as a journey leading to our communion with him. We begin on the outside, separated from him, not understanding who he is, and importantly, who we are. In ancient Israel, the surrounding countries knew of the Israelite God, but seemed to view Yaweh as no different from their gods–who they controlled, who they created. When Yaweh interceded for Israel, they saw the power and might of God, and feared that, but didn’t move from a fear of terror to a fear of reverence, and a fear of communion and love.

Part 1: Fear of the Lord, aka terror of his might, his power and his holiness

1. Deuteronomy 28:10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you.

2. Joshua 5:1 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.

3. Jeremiah 5:24 They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’

4. Isaiah 2:10 Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty!

5. Isaiah 2:19 People will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.

6. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

7. Proverbs 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

8. Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

9. Psalm 102:15 The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.

10. Psalm 33:8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.

11. Joshua 4:24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

12. 2 Corinthians 5:11 The Ministry of Reconciliation Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

13. Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

Part 2: Fear of the Lord leading to reverence of Him

14. Deuteronomy 31:12 Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.

15. Isaiah 50:10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.

16. Malachi 3:16 The Faithful Remnant Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

17. Proverbs 16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

18. Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

19. Proverbs 22:4 Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.

20. Proverbs 23:17 15 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.

21. Proverbs 2:5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

22. Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

23. Psalm 96:4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

24. Psalm 27:1 Psalm 27 Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Part 3: Fear of the Lord as communion with Him

25. Deuteronomy 10:12 Fear the Lord And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

26. Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

27. Isaiah 11:2-3 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;

Isaiah 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.