Meditation
LET HIM BE YOUR FEAR
Text: Isaiah 8
23 February 2020
A FORMAL RELIGION
Ancient Israel had a formal religion. The following features were there for all to see.
- There was a Temple
a) People went to the Temple for worship
b) Many Temple activities were carried out
- There was a religious order
a) There was a High Priest
b) There were priests
c) There were Levites who assisted the priests
- There were worship programs
a) Sacrifices were made
b) Hymns were sung
c) Prayers were offered
WHAT WAS MISSING?
In a word, “The fear of the LORD.” Ancient Israel did not have a high regard for their God. This absence had adverse effects on true spirituality!
REGAINING THE FEAR OF THE LORD
This was a word that Isaiah proclaimed to the people of the land.
The LORD of hosts,
Him you shall hallow;
Let Him be your fear;
Let Him be your dread.
He will be as a sanctuary,
But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense
To both the houses of Israel,
As a trap and as a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Isaiah 8:13-14
- A Call to regain the Fear of the LORD
a) He is the LORD of hosts
b) He is indeed to be hallowed
c) He is to be feared for who He is
d) God would then be a Sanctuary to those who fear Him
- A Danger to be noted if the Fear of the LORD is absent
a) The Lord would be like a stone that would cause people to stumble
b) Faith in God would be an offense
i) To Israel
ii) To Judah
c) To all the inhabitants who reject this Word to fear the Lord
i) They would be ensnared
ii) They would be entrapped
Let us learn how to fear the LORD our God. Great blessings attend those who genuinely practise the fear of the LORD!