Yes, I fear (and revere) God.

Whom Do You Fear?

Whom Do You Fear? By Kirk Hunt

And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of the Lord will carry you to a place I do not know; so when I go and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, he will kill me. But I your servant have feared the Lord from my youth.

1 Kings 18:12 NKJV
Please also read 1 Kings 18:7–16

Obadiah feared God then.  I fear God now.  After all, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Many Biblical scholars and teachers ascribe cowardice to Obadiah for his reaction to Elijah in these verses.  A coward would not have attempted to hide the prophets from Ahab and Jezebel’s murderous purge.  Instead, Obadiah recognized his risk should God whisk Elijah away suddenly.

The Hebrew word used in these verses, yare, often translates “afraid,” but it also often translates “reverence.”  Obadiah respected the absolute and complete mastery of God over time and space, death and life.  After personally witnessing Ahab’s extensive international manhunt, Obadiah wanted assurance that God would let Elijah make the meeting.

God is, first and foremost, love.  God is also holy and righteous.  In an instant, God can issue verdicts and enact judgement over men and nations. 

I often run to Him, child to Heavenly-Father, but I also consider that His holy anger slew Uzzah, Ananias, and Sapphira for their less-than-righteous actions.  Obadiah refused to take God, or His true servant, lightly.  I seek to follow that same wisdom and prudence. 

Think:        God’s power over creation calls for a lot of reverence and at least a little fear.

Pray:           “Lord, Your power commands me in reverence and trepidation.”

 

Copyright © October 2017, Kirk Hunt

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