Fear That Frees

“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.’” (Exodus 20:20, NKJV).

Moses said, in essence, “God isn’t mad at you. That’s not what this majestic experience is all about. No. He wants to empower you with his awesome fear. He is trying to build into you a powerful weapon, and he’s doing it so that you can live all the days of your life victoriously.”

Then came some of the strangest logic in the Bible. These leaders said to Moses, “…We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives. Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?” (Deuteronomy 5:24-26).

They told Moses, “We know we can hear God speak out of the fire and survive. Yet, if we have to sit under his direct, pure, holy voice, we will be consumed. Why should we die? In all the people in the world, we’re the ones who’ve heard God’s voice and lived.”

The Lord then gives us a clue about what was really happening: “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear me and always keep all my commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” (Deuteronomy 5:29).

They were giving God honor with their lips, but their hearts were far from him. To quote Isaiah, “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the commandment of men” (Isaiah 29:13).

The Israelites were so devoted to their little golden images that nothing could keep them from idolatrous worship. They finally even ignored the audible voice of God, in all its holiness and majesty.

When Israel’s elders said, “We need a softer message, otherwise we’ll die,” how right they were. Anytime you sit under Holy Ghost preaching and hear God’s anointed, convicting word, you’re surely going to die. That is, you will die to your sins!