What does "fear" mean?
Recently I was reading with Elisabeth from a portion of the Bible that calls on the readers to "fear the LORD your God."
Elisabeth turned and asked me, "What does fear mean?"I answered almost reflexively, "It means to honor and respect." But as soon as the words were out of my mouth I realized that I had spoken the same words that dissatisfied me when I was young. The fear of the LORD certainly entails honor and respect, but it also means something closer to the common meaning of that word (which is why we continue to translate it that way).
Does anyone have suggestions on how to explain the fear of the LORD to a 4 year old?
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1 comment:
What a great question -- Elisabeth is wise beyond her years! I was thinking...to stand in complete awe, frozen in wonder. Maybe akin to standing at the top of the Empire State Building for the first time -- amazed of all that is before you, its vastness, the enormity of it all, how small you feel...but all of that without poverty, injustice etc. If you could stand at the top and witness the Kingdom of God -- a city of glory, full of light and love, completely just and without blemish...plus the height of it all -- you'd stand in a sort of fear. But, if at the same time, completely enveloped in the compassion, love, and perfection of the Lord. That's the best thing I can think of. Maybe it's time for a trip to the top. :)
All of that said....my analogy seems so incredibly insufficient.
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