The Hebrew Word for today.
We are learning from our Judeo-Christian roots.
Yirah -The Fear of the Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIeFZmP4S_A
Do we “fear the Lord” in our nation today?
The Hebrew word “Yirah” is defined as “fear of the Lord” and to be “awestruck” by His work.
In today’s culture, there is little “awe” of God and even less “fear of the Lord”
In learning about “yirah”, I found a statement from the Talmud, which is the oral traditions and law that were debated and discussed Torah: He who has knowledge of the Law, but no fear of Yahweh, is like a keeper of the treasury, who has the inner keys, but not the outer keys. He cannot enter.”
The first key represents the “fear of the Lord” translated: To tremble in God’s presence, to recognize who God is in all His power and glory. This first key should show us our sin and the need for a Savior. The second key that unlocks the treasury is the Word. If we do not fear the Lord, how can we understand and open the treasury of God’s Word? Therefore, we are left to tremble with “fear and trembling” at God’s judgment.
Broken and in need of a Savior
We are broken people whose only hope for eternal life with God is to repent from our old life to a new life in Christ.
Once we see the power of the new resurrected life, we understand the awesomeness of our God. Our “fear of the Lord” turns to reverence and awe of God.
Yirah is both fear and trembling, reverence, honor, and awe of God. When we do not unlock the treasury of God’s Word, we are left without instruction. We lack wisdom. Our decisions are based on whatever the world says. Much of which leads to selfishness and ends in lawlessness.
Lawlessness, Violence, No regard for God
Why do we have such lawlessness today? We have lost the “fear of the Lord” which is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. We have lost the Word.
Without the wisdom and knowledge gained in scriptures, there is a lack of knowing and understanding of God in His fullness, Jesus as our Savior, and the Holy Spirit as our guide.
Bibles on the shelf
Our Bibles are set on a shelf with dusty covers. A research survey by LifeWay gives the statistics for America’s literacy problem.
“Fewer than half (47%) say the Bible is 100 percent accurate in all it teaches.
Half (51%) say the Bible was written for each person to interpret as he or she chooses.
Three-quarters (74%) disagree with the idea that even the smallest sin deserves eternal damnation.
Three-quarters (77%) say people must contribute their own efforts for personal salvation.
Half (52%) say good deeds help them earn a spot in heaven. And 45% believe there are many ways to get there. https://research.lifeway.com/2017/04/25/lifeway-research-americans-are-fond-of-the-bible-dont-actually-read-it/
Love God, Read His Word
We say we love God, but do we take the time to read the letter He has given us?
Consider your life. What does the “fear of the LORD” look like in your own life?
Is it fear and trembling or do you have hope and worship Him and stand in awe?
Are we studying His Word enough to understand the treasure that is found there?
Judgment will come
Some do, probably those reading this are in awe of the treasure that is found in His Word. Most in our land, do not fear the LORD or stand in awe of all His wonders. If we don’t return to the foundations of God’s commands, we are destined for judgment.
Will there be a famine in our land? A famine of bread? God promised to send a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. We can be a part of the voice of God by sending out the message and urging people to return to God’s Word.
Amos 8:11-“The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord, “When I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord.”
My prayer is that we have a return to God and His Word. We must do our part. Pray, Open our Bibles, and Reach out to others about the truth.</
Proverbs 14:26-27 “Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children, it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.”https://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/proverbs/passage/?q=proverbs+14:26-27
Freda Reynolds
