Nougat 3

Some of us are familiar with the ‘Shema Yisrael’ in Deuteronomy 6:4, which tells of God’s attributes; and we might even know Micah 6:4-8, which calls us to live justly. But how many of us are familiar with today’s Holy Nougat?

“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,” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It may seem that God has too many ‘asks’ of us. We have to ‘hear’ that the Lord our God is One; we have to live justly, love mercy and walk humbly; and now here we are with yet another set of asks. To take Jesus’ quote on the foundation of the Word (ie the Law and the Prophets being grounded in his commandments) out of context a wee bit; I suggest that this ask grounds and explains the Why of what we do as believers.

Of course, I confess I am challenged by the first objective – to fear God. For the context in which ‘fear’ is transliterated is the sense of being afraid. My brain is familiar with hearing ‘reverential fear’, but fearing God seems anomalous to what I think fear is. But then, I consider my own knee-jerk, ’fear’-incited response to potential harm and violence; and realize that if I proclaim God’s sovereignty and power as greater than all principalities and powers, should I not have a modicum of fear toward YHWH?

Agreed; Jesus reveals a much softer side of YHWH’s nature as do several others in the Bible – including Moses (from whom this is attributed). But how often do we reflect on God’s might, and seek to please YHWH? And is there need to fear God when we act contrary to God’s will?

Further, this is directed to the Children of Israel at the eve of their entry into the Land of Promise. Moses was still alive, although Aaron and Miriam were both dead. We can safely assume that the Children of Israel would have been a bit fearful of what happened next. They were emancipated farmers with bricklayer and brick making skills; not warriors. Their natural skills were not necessarily bent towards overcoming enemies. Plus, as previously enslaved people, fear was somewhat second-nature to some of them as that was the only reason they had not revolted in their 400+ years in Egypt.

It could also be that they were being offered an alternative to fear of Pharaoh and others such. For God’s track record in overcoming hurdles in the wilderness was impressive. Despite the complaints. Just think, YHWH had conquered the one whom they might have feared the most – pharaoh and his armies. Should they not fear God above all warriors.

Interestingly (and finally), we might recall that people of those days seemed to worship and/or serve those they feared without reservation. If that premise holds, why not fear God instead?

We who’ve known and experienced the power of God’s love through Jesus ought to begin our response to God with a touch of fear. Or maybe respect. But if fear leads to our ‘worship’ or servitude to others, let’s opt instead for worshiping YHWH, the Lord our God. It could be our reasonable service (see Romans 12:2.)

What or whom do we fear?

—

May all we seek be found in Christ