The Fear of the Lord
The Messiah who Delights in the Fear of God
Isaiah 11-15
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. And he will delight in the Fear of the Lord…”
When we read the prophets, we often see their message as one of doom and judgment. Indeed, a key part of the prophets' message is the reality of God’s judgment upon sin. We observe the seriousness and inevitability of judgment in Isaiah 13-15, where God declares the coming Day of the Lord. This will be a time when God will bring judgment upon sin and those who have rejected His grace. In verses 13:9-11, Isaiah provides a vivid depiction of God’s certainty judgment.
However, as we read through the prophets and their denunciation of sin and the warning of the coming judgment, there is also woven throughout their oracles another message. This message is the promise of one who would come and bring salvation from sin and judgment. In Isaiah 11:1-10, we find another prophecy of the coming Messiah who will arise from the line of David. However, He will not be just a normal king, for His kingdom will not only be universal, but He will bring global peace and restoration from the devastation of sin. Sin brought destruction and death not only to humanity, but to the whole world, so that even the animals existed in conflict and hostility. In the kingdom of the Messiah, there will be peace in the truest and fullest sense. Animals that were formerly adversaries will now exist in tranquility side by side.
In Chapter 11:1-3, we see a description of the nature of this King. Not only will He be a descendant of David, but He will also have a special empowerment of the Spirit of the Lord to bring salvation and hope for His people. As the King, He possesses three transforming and empowering qualities. First, because of the presence of the Spirit upon Him, He will govern with wisdom and understanding. The terms wisdom and understanding refer to His ability to act in a way that is consistent with the character and nature of God. The two terms together describe someone who can understand all the factors and consequences, enabling Him to make the perfect decision with the ideal outcome. The second characteristic of this King is that He will possess counsel and strength. This speaks of the ability to carry out the tasks before Him to achieve the best results. Lastly, He will possess a spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the Lord is more than just having a healthy respect for God. It is more than just some innate feeling of awe before God. It is the central response to God that recognizes the supremacy of God and thus response in faith, belief, obedience, and worship of God. It is the recognition of God’s exalted position and authority and living in humble subjection to that authority. The Fear of the Lord is what we have lost in our modern, feel-good culture that desires a God who is loving but not holy. We want a God who is forgiving but not judging. The Fear of the Lord is central to keeping God in perspective. It is to acknowledge His holiness and His judgment upon all sin so that we live in obedience to God. Not only does the Messianic King possess a fear of the Lord, but it is His delight. What we have lost in the church is the delight of the Fear of the Lord. To fear the Lord is to keep in perfect balance the realization of the depth of His grace towards us and His unyielding intolerance and hatred of sin. To be like Christ, and to live in His kingdom, is to recognize that God is both loving and holy. He brings salvation and protection to His people (12;1-2), but the severity of His judgment is poured out upon those who reject Him (13:9-11). Do we keep these in balance in our own lives? Do we recognize His justice so that we turn to Him to accept His grace?
Isaiah 11-15
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. And he will delight in the Fear of the Lord…”
When we read the prophets, we often see their message as one of doom and judgment. Indeed, a key part of the prophets' message is the reality of God’s judgment upon sin. We observe the seriousness and inevitability of judgment in Isaiah 13-15, where God declares the coming Day of the Lord. This will be a time when God will bring judgment upon sin and those who have rejected His grace. In verses 13:9-11, Isaiah provides a vivid depiction of God’s certainty judgment.
However, as we read through the prophets and their denunciation of sin and the warning of the coming judgment, there is also woven throughout their oracles another message. This message is the promise of one who would come and bring salvation from sin and judgment. In Isaiah 11:1-10, we find another prophecy of the coming Messiah who will arise from the line of David. However, He will not be just a normal king, for His kingdom will not only be universal, but He will bring global peace and restoration from the devastation of sin. Sin brought destruction and death not only to humanity, but to the whole world, so that even the animals existed in conflict and hostility. In the kingdom of the Messiah, there will be peace in the truest and fullest sense. Animals that were formerly adversaries will now exist in tranquility side by side.
In Chapter 11:1-3, we see a description of the nature of this King. Not only will He be a descendant of David, but He will also have a special empowerment of the Spirit of the Lord to bring salvation and hope for His people. As the King, He possesses three transforming and empowering qualities. First, because of the presence of the Spirit upon Him, He will govern with wisdom and understanding. The terms wisdom and understanding refer to His ability to act in a way that is consistent with the character and nature of God. The two terms together describe someone who can understand all the factors and consequences, enabling Him to make the perfect decision with the ideal outcome. The second characteristic of this King is that He will possess counsel and strength. This speaks of the ability to carry out the tasks before Him to achieve the best results. Lastly, He will possess a spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the Lord is more than just having a healthy respect for God. It is more than just some innate feeling of awe before God. It is the central response to God that recognizes the supremacy of God and thus response in faith, belief, obedience, and worship of God. It is the recognition of God’s exalted position and authority and living in humble subjection to that authority. The Fear of the Lord is what we have lost in our modern, feel-good culture that desires a God who is loving but not holy. We want a God who is forgiving but not judging. The Fear of the Lord is central to keeping God in perspective. It is to acknowledge His holiness and His judgment upon all sin so that we live in obedience to God. Not only does the Messianic King possess a fear of the Lord, but it is His delight. What we have lost in the church is the delight of the Fear of the Lord. To fear the Lord is to keep in perfect balance the realization of the depth of His grace towards us and His unyielding intolerance and hatred of sin. To be like Christ, and to live in His kingdom, is to recognize that God is both loving and holy. He brings salvation and protection to His people (12;1-2), but the severity of His judgment is poured out upon those who reject Him (13:9-11). Do we keep these in balance in our own lives? Do we recognize His justice so that we turn to Him to accept His grace?
Recent
Archive
2026
2025
January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
March
When Life and Faith Do Not AlignThe Jealousy of GodThe Judgment and Delieverance of GodGod's Provision, Presence and ProclamationSalvation and TransformationA Dwelling for GodThe Righteous and Loving GodPreparing for God's PresenceThe Requirements of a Holy GodThe Sacrifices and ChristThe Holiness of God and the Uncleanness of HumanityPrioritizing GodThe Severity and Grace of HolinessGod's Blessings and DisciplineAproaching God on His Terms
April
A Call to HolinessOpportunity or FailurePride and HumilityA Talking Donkey and a Prophetic JackassTransitions and EmpowermentThe God of JusticeThe Danger of Spiritual ForgetfulnessObedience and the Danger of ComplacencyThe Most Important DecisionThe Test of a ProphetHOLINESS AS A WAY OF LIFEThe ChoiceThe Faithfulness of God and the Fickleness of Man
May
Fear and FaithVictory and DefeatThe Justice and Mercy of GodThe Long Term Consequences of Incomplete ObedienceThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyMan's Fickleness and God's FaithfulnessGod's Power on DisplayUnlikely HeroesThe Danger of Self-delusionThe Grace and Holiness of godThe Danger of Cultural AccommodationThe Failure of Disobedience20/20 Spiritual VisionWhenn Life Does Not Go as PlannedFaith, Fear, and Divine ProtectionGod's Sovereignty and Humanh FrailtyA Lesson in God's Holiness and Grace
June
Sin, Consequences, and ForgivenessWhen Life Turns DarkThe Power of GraceKeys for Successful LivingA Temple Worthy of GodThe Danger of ComplacencyFear and Faith in a Chaotic WorldSeeking Only What We Want To HearGod's Power on DisplayHow to Change a NationThe Danger of the "High Places"God's Sovereignty Amid TrialsA Superficial or Transformative Faith
Categories
no categories