We know that fear is the opposite of faith, therefore a bad thing. However, this interesting word is used differently throughout the Bible, as we know, to mean= respect. Here is a great example of what it can do to help us.Revolving around the story of Moses' birth and delivery (his life was even about delivery during his delivery) we find a short but empowering account of two righteous midwives--Shiphrah and Puah. The Pharaoh had already enslaved the children of Israel and was now instructing these midwives that when they "do the office of a midwife" that if the child should be a boy, then they should kill him. We read that the midwives "feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them." Further down we get the therefore. "Therefore, God dealt well with the midwives." If we fear God, (respect, love, revere Him) more than man, then God will deal well with us!
We discussed in class how different the world would be, if we feared God more than man. They came up with a pretty exciting list. What do you think?
P.S. Interestingly enough, the two midwives are mentioned by name, however, the king, Pharaoh is only referred to by his title...Does God care about power or prestige, or obedience and dedication to Him?
5 comments:
If the world feared God more than Man, I think there would be a lot more integrity in the world. I think affairs would shoot way down. I also think people would be happier (that' sounds really obvious, but somehow we all miss that on the occassion that we fear man more than God)Repentance would come easier as well. I LOVE the 'p.s' about the names of the midwives being mentioned in the bible but not the pharoahs. SO INTERESTING. Great commentary on those whom the Lord loves.
Man, what an interesting question. I suppose that pride could alternatively be defined as fear of men. We spend so much time and energy concerned with how people perceive us while so often neglecting our relationships with God. On a higher level, nations do the same thing. Wars are started and continue because people don't fear God but are supremely concerned with their status before men. I hope that the world can become a little more God-fearing--it sounds like a nice way to live.
Thanks for letting us borrow Ratatouille--It was great. Like you said, lots of Gospel principles.
I think that question really puts things into perspective. How many times do we worry about what other people think of us, rather than thinking of what the Lord would have us do? It's so much easier to focus on the here and now of every day life and stress over other people's judgements when we don't always keep an eternal view of things. And the whole thing about the naming of the midwives, that also kind of reminds me about how the Lord knows all of us by name, and how much more do we want Him to know us by name when we know we are doing right? We wouldn't really want to be known by name to Him if we know we're not being righteous.
Krista's friend got grounded the other day and we were talking about how rarely our girls are grounded (cept maybe CJ on her 16th bday). I told them it was because they were so good they didn't need to be grounded. Krista said she was more worried about disappointing us than getting in trouble so it helped her choose wisely and stay out of trouble. Which made me think of Paul in the NT and Joseph Smith in the D&C saying they feared offending God more than they feared what men could do to them. That's good fear-love, respect,honor--a true and lasting testimony.
These are amazing comments guys!
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