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[The King of Egypt and the Midwives]
1. The king feared the people
Exodus 1:9-10 "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country."
1:12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites
9:30 But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God."
2. The midwives feared God
1:17, 21 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 21And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
[Fear of God]
Difference between the fear of father and the fear of a terrorist
Fear the LORD=Reverence and awe + His Love
Hebrews 11:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot
be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence
and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."
2Corinthians 5:10-11 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
Hebrews 12:6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
<Marks of fear of God>
1. Obedience to God
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Isaiah 66:2b This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word
Genesis 22:12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
2. Hate of evil
Proverbs 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
3. Love and respect for others
<Illustration>
On a cold night, in Oklahoma City, a trembling man was brought before the judge charged with stealing a loaf of bread. His family was starving and he had to have the bread.
Now caught in
his crime against society, he stood before the judge. "I have to punish
you" declared the judge, "there can be no exceptions to the law. I
fine you Ten dollars." As the judge looked down at the man, he was
reaching into the pocket of his pants beneath his robe. He looked down from the
bench and tossed a crisp ten dollar bill in to the man's hat.
"Here is the $10 to pay your fine, which I now remit," he said,
"Furthermore," he declared, "I am going to fine everyone in this
courtroom .50 cents each for living in a city where a man has to steal bread in
order to eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the
defendant."
The hat was passed and the incredulous man, with a smile on his face, left the
courtroom with a stake of $47.50.
The Egyptians
Exodus 1:14 They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly
Abraham before Abimelech king of Gerar
Genesis 20:11 Abraham replied, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.'
God’s commands
Leviticus 25:17 Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 25:43 Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.
1Peter 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
18:21 But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
Joseph
Genesis 39:4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned 9No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?
The starting point of evil-doing
Romans 3:18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
[Do Not Fear]
1Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.
1. Death
1Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Hebrews 2:14-15 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
A way of glorifying God
John 21:19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
Philippians 1:20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
2. Man
John 12:42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue.
Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
Psalms 56:4, 11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Proverbs 16:7 when a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
3. Idols and Evil Forces
Joshua 24:14 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
Jeremiah 10:5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.
4. Uncertain Future/Disasters and Terrors/Diseases
Psalm 46:2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Proverbs 3:25-26 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked. For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
[How to Overcome Fear]
1. Trust in the LORD
3:11-12 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."
Ex) a baby in the arms of a parent
Psalm 118:6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
2. Pray to the LORD
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
3. Meditate on the word of the LORD
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
[Assignment]
Study on the blessings for those who fear God