FEAR IN THE UNKNOWN GOD

FEAR IN THE UNKNOWN GOD  

“But fear thou God" Eccles. 5:7

The relative considerations continue in this letter, as the Debater turns to the subject of RELIGION and of POLITICAL CONDITIONS. These words conclude the paragraph dealing with RELIGION, and express the finding of one who is living "under the sun." As we have pointed out before, this man is A BELIEVER IN GOD, but he has NO KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. These words seem to harmonize with the central principle of true wisdom, which is that its beginning and maintenance depend upon “the fear of Jehovah" but a careful consideration of the whole paragraph will show how utterly different is the conception. FEAR, in the sense in which it is used here, is THE FEAR OF THE SLAVE RATHER THAN THAT OF THE SON; it lacks the notes of confidence, of trust, and of love. All the advice given is good, in so far as it goes; but every word of it is born of the dread of doing anything which will offend a GOD WHO IS SOVEREIGN, but WHOSE WAYS ARE UNKNOWN. This conception of religion is that it consists of securing personal safety, by not doing things which are likely to offend God. I repeat, all is good so far as it goes; but it lacks the positive note, the glad note, the triumphant note; which notes are always present when life begins with the KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUE GOD. Such knowledge issues in no irreverent familiarity; but it produces a reverent familiarity; it gives the soul freedom of utterance and of action in the PRESENCE OF GOD. Men whose belief in God is merely INTELLECTUAL, never rise above this level. Their RELIGION, if they have any, is always characterized by this kind of FEAR, and becomes a burden and oppression, something which robs life of joy. First repent, then read His book and come to KNOW HIM, entering into the proper fear of God, which is the fear that I might continue in my sin against His Son.