On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
I have an ancient Hebrew lexicon that attempts to take Hebrew words back to when they were symbols and pictographs. The pictograph for the word, fear, is a flowing river. One of the definitions is a leader pointing his finger. The implication is the direction in which we should go. It has to do with following.
This seems to me to be an appropriate definition of the word fear because, in this case, Israel was not to tremble in the presence of either Joshua or Moses. Nor were they expected to be terrified of them. They were to follow in the direction Moses and Joshua pointed.
This is significant because in this very chapter, verse 24, we read that the people were to fear the Lord. I suggest that this, too, means to follow and obey, to go the direction He leads them. Surely there is a context in which being terrified of God is appropriate. He is, after all, a consuming fire. But the relationship God seeks with us is not one where we tremble in His presence. He longs for us to come boldly to the throne of grace.
Under all circumstances to travel in the direction He points us is advised and preferred.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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