MEMORY VERSE


“And 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

When God gave the 10 commandments the people were terrified. They saw and heard God’s power in thunder, lightning, trumpets from heaven, and the smoking mountain, and they trembled in fear. But verse 20 says something very interesting, “Do not fear… that His fear may be before you…”

There are two types of fear spoken about here. The people were afraid and were pulling away from God, and they told Moses to go up and speak to God for them. So, Moses told them not to fear God in a way that causes you to pull away from Him, but rather, fear God so that you will to draw near to Him. Fear God so that you may not sin.

If Adam had feared God, he would not have eaten from the forbidden tree, but when He sinned, he realized he should fear God.

“So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
– Genesis 3:10

Adam was afraid of God because he didn’t fear God in a way that kept him from sinning. The fear of God will either draw you closer to Him in holiness or cause you to run away from Him.