2.  Holy Scripture repeatedly admonishes us to “Fear the Lord!” (Ps. 33:6-9; 89:6-11).  What exactly does this mean?  In this context, the word fear carries the idea of respect, reverence and obedience.

3.  Man must manifest a profound sense of awe and adoration for the God of heaven (1 Tim. 1:17).  An earnest consideration of God’s majesty and holiness will move us to reverently worship and serve him (Heb. 12:25-29).

4.  We are admonished to “Fear God” in the beginning of Proverbs, in the middle of Job, and at the end of Ecclesiastes.  This distinctive arrangement is noteworthy, and communicates a much needed truth: we should fear God  in our youth,  in the midst of life,  and old age and infirmity.

5.  Proverbs primarily addresses those who are young.  The importance of fearing God is set forth in the book’s prologue (Prov. 1:7).  Youths lacking in reverence will be ensnared in sin and shame (Prov. 1:8-33).

6.  Job describes the ordeal of a middle-aged man.  The importance of fearing God is affirmed near the book’s center (Job 28:28).  Like Job, we must fear God in the midst of life’s trials (Job 1:8-22; 2:1-10; 42:1-6).

7.  Ecclesiastes records the sad musing of an elderly man, regretful of his false steps and failures.  The importance of fearing God is emphasized in the book’s conclusion (Eccl. 12:13-14).  Like Solomon, we must understand that only those who fear the Lord will endure (Eccl. 3:12-15; 5:1-7; 7:15-18; 8:10-13; 12:1-14).

8.  Countless blessings fall on those who fear the Lord (Ps. 34:7-9; 103:17-18), but the wicked have no such hope (Deut. 25:17-19; Rom. 3:9- 18).  The certainty of the Judgment underscores the need for us to “Fear God and keep his commandments!” (Prov. 23:17-19; Rev. 20:11- 15).