Ecclesiastes...Pastor Phil Strong

Part 18

6-19-11                                    

Text: Ecclesiastes 12

“That’s the whole story: fear God and obey his commands, for this is the wholeness of man…” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

                This is Solomon’s “final pass” (like the floor exercise in gymnastics).

This is not Solomon’s way of conceding to life, but of helping to eliminate the ambiguity. His conclusions have everything to do with the previous musings upon which he has been building: it is the response to the futile pursuits and discontentment associated with a life under-the-sun; it is the resolution to the ‘eternity in our hearts’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

● The “fear of the Lord” (like the “love of God”) is something best described, rather than defined. It is a quality of life; it is an observable response.

            If you were to ask, “How do you know that Lynette loves you?”, my response would not be to offer you the (3) Greek expressions of the word ‘love’; I would describe for you the way that she lovingly responds to me [her self-revelation and responses to me in variety of scenarios (faithfulness) and conclude that she loves me].

I am certain that I have yet to develop a healthy, formative approach to the fear of God.

“Fear of the Lord”--- a phrase that, in one sense, has been “dulled” in order to avoid connotations of horror or terror. But, in the process, it has been so “diluted” it that it lacks potency.

If you are like me, your posture toward God will, at times, vacillate between “cozy companionship” and “unnerving acquaintance”.

I was formed in an environment that adopted the ‘scared-straight’ approach to God. From what I could gather, God seemed to be a bit manic: he would speak softly to us to lure us in (front with grace), then punish us

for having hesitated (like calling a dog that didn’t understand the command, just the tone). You were just never sure which God you were going to get!

Fear of the Lord prevents us from “sloppy-living”. It keeps us from a nonchalant approach to life.

I think I could say that my response to life has often been characterized by a reverence/recognition of God; meaning, I am learning to ‘avoid evil’ [Proverbs 8:13 “All who fear the Lord will hate (avoid; turn against) evil”] because of what it does to me, not in fear of what God will do to me if I persist.

But, I will also admit that there have been times when the only thing that stood between me and an unhealthy dose of self-destructive behavior is the fear of God.

I have noticed that fear, far from simply terrorizing people or momentarily paralyzing them, always seemed to compel them toward some kind of response.

                In the Hebrew tradition, the word “fear” can be used to describe terror (Jonah 1:10) or dread (Deuteronomy 1:29), but when used with God as the object, it portrays this paradoxical approach that both causes you to hesitate and pull away and wanting to see how close you can get. It’s not a dread that paralyzes you, but one that causes you to carefully choose your course of action.

“Fear of the Lord”--- is the stock biblical term for this awareness of and response to the revealing of God in your life.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” (Proverbs 1:7)

            It doesn’t mean that it’s how God ensures our compliance then we are able to move on to a more calculated and predictable approach. It’s not some irrational phobia that we outgrow with maturity.

“beginning”- (Heb.) controlling part; the head/source (e.g. head waters of a river describe the source from which it flows) Anything else results in foolishness.

“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

It is seeing God as central to all of life and learning to re-order our lives accordingly. It is about intentionally interrupting our pre-occupation with ourselves in order to attend to God. It is about coming to terms with our inherent value/worth and our unrelenting self-confidence.

Fear of the Lord speaks to the right posture toward him which is not simply a reaction, but a right relationship which is to be developed.

Fear of the Lord is always associated with “knowledge”, meaning that it is a response to the unfolding experience of God.

You see, if what you’re after is a ‘reaction’, then intimidation and spectacular demonstrations of power are your best options. If what you desire is a ‘relationship’, you will have to find a way that is more inspirational--- a way to overwhelm them with love [e.g. Herman Munster: admittedly, he had his relational challenges]

God knows that his only chance at an authentic relationship with us would be dependent upon his ability to “inspire” us.

Imagine that: God trying to inspire us? God’s love for us and desire to be with us would get our attention and motivate us to choose him. The more we would come to know him, the more we would become convinced that our only reasonable response would be to give ourselves completely to him, considering no other options… what Jeremiah calls singleness of heart; devotion; choosing one thing. [Jeremiah 32:38-41]

Fear of the Lord is always associated with “security”.

“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence” (Proverbs 14:26)

I have noticed a quiet confidence that seems to characterize people who live in love; who are secured by love. Conversely, I have witnessed the anxiety and insecurity which plagues those who live in fear: fear of not being enough.

Statistically, the people who would say that they are most fulfilled--- relationally, emotionally, sexually, are in a faithful marriage relationship.

Only the context of covenant can create an environment necessary to experience life the way it was meant to be lived-- the context which allows no room for fear.

Covenant means that the relationship is already stronger than the wrongs committed against it. Therefore, you can live in love, not fear.

Insecurity is the inevitable result of trusting the wrong things.

            When we fear the wrong things, we make decisions and determinations based on deceptive criterion (e.g. when we are trusting others to establish our identity and worth, it either forces us to perform so as to not disappoint anyone or it drives us “into the bushes” to conceal who we really are. And, let me remind you, they don’t make leaves big enough to cover that kind of shame!)

If you want to live in the “fear of the Lord”, here’s what you will have to give up:

~ the anxiety which accompanies your inadequacies and learn to trust the God who is both ‘competent’ and ‘devoted to you’.

~ your frantic and panicked pursuit of life in exchange for “rest” [for ‘permanence’: our restlessness, our need for perpetual movement, evidences not only our struggle with grace, but the void in our lives which we call ‘discontentment’.

Rest is God’s way of holding you until you stop squirming; long enough for you to be altered by his overwhelming presence.

~ ‘guilt’ as the motivation for life and instead be compelled by grace.

~ ‘shame’ and your tendencies toward cover-up in exchange for the unconditional love and acceptance found in God.

~ predictability and certainty for the risky, but dependable, venture of faith.

The story is replete with epic risks and God-sized assurances. It’s okay to confront Pharaoh; go ahead and serve the eviction notice on those living in your land; feel free to give generously without fear of not having enough; risk learning to forgive without keeping a list, and then, do it again.

Being comfortable in your own self-guided way of life is more dangerous than risky obedience. You’re already dead… you just don’t know it!

~ ‘lifeless formalism’ and ‘duty’ as strategies for pursuing God, and instead, be directed and enabled by the Holy Spirit as the lingering, loving presence of Jesus.

 “You have nothing more to be afraid of!” That’s what we really want to hear, isn’t it? Fear of the Lord dismisses all other fears.

                 “There is no fear in love because perfect loves expels all fear” (1 John 4:18). John then goes on to offer the source of that perfected love: “…he loved us first” (19).