This article was originally published here, on July 28, 2009.
"Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity" (Prov. 28:14, ESV).
The fear of the Lord is a subject I return to frequently. I desire a better understanding. I know that fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7) and wisdom (Prov. 9:10). I also know that it is hatred of evil (Prov. 8:13). It prolongs the life of those who have it (Prov. 10:27). Now this passages examines another facet of the fear of the Lord. Blessings and calamity are contrasted in this verse. The one who "fears the Lord is blessed". The one who "hardens his heart" will fall into calamity. The implication is that the one who hardens his heart does not fear the Lord. Therefore, fear of the Lord must also include a submissive attitude toward the Lord's leadership.
When we speak of the fear of the Lord, we are speaking of active obedience to the revealed will of God. It is following his commandments and heeding his voice. This proverb warns that calamity is the end result of rebellion to the will of God. The expression "will fall into calamity" depicts one stumbling, unaware, into a trap. It is an event that happens quickly with potentially dangerous outcomes.
To walk without the fear of the Lord is to court trouble. The image that comes to mind is someone standing in a shed full of dynamite with a lit match. Actually, I am picturing Yosemite Sam, striking a match only to find himself surrounded by explosives, and quickly finding one more reason to hate that rabbit (Bugs Bunny). Hardening the heart is trouble with a capital "T." A person never knows what will happen if they harden their heart. Will they have another chance to repent? Who knows. Will the Lord harden their heart like he did Pharaoh's heart?
Actually, Pharaoh is a good case study for a life lived without fear of the Lord. Moses reports Pharaoh's initial response to God's command to free the Israelites. He states, "But Pharaoh said, 'Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and more over I will not let Israel go'" (Exod. 5:2, ESV). The following chapter reveal the devastation brought upon Pharaoh and Egypt by his hard heart. He loses his son, his slaves, and most of his army.
However, blessing rests on those who fear the Lord. That is not to say that those who fear the Lord never face trouble. Even David, a man after God's own heart, faced trouble and trials. What it means is that the troubles will not ultimately overcome those who fear the Lord. They will be preserved from the greatest trouble facing man, the Day of the Lord. It also means that when we walk in the fear of the Lord we avoid many of the foolish choices that lead to heartache and regret. Fear of the Lord teaches us a sort of sanctified common sense. We become less gullible and more discerning. We think before we act, and pray for the Lord to guide our thinking. Do you want to avoid trouble? Fear the Lord. Do you want to be blessed? Then fear the Lord.
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