No one could have gotten past an army of angels to touch Jacob, his family, or his possessions. The same Presence that had first drawn us to trust in Christ, and then wooed us across continents and oceans to this very jungle clearing.” As he sensed the Lord’s presence and thought about why he had come to this people, in obedience to the Lord, he was flooded with God’s peace. A few years ago I had a couple of lumps removed from my body. It was not just one or two angels, but a whole regiment. (This insight is from Alan Ross, The Bible Knowledge Commentary [Victor Books], 1:80.). Zechariah 14:1-21 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. He admits his own unworthiness and thanks the Lord for all His past mercies and blessings. He flashed back to that day when he tricked Esau and his father out of Esau’s blessing. Next to that is the fear of God’s people. In the perfect realm of paradise, the first humans Adam and Eve felt no fear at all. But God didn’t scold him for his lack of faith. It will know when to “stand still” and when to “go forward,” because God is its all in all. How about 550 animals, arranged in groups, to appease him?” Jacob is a flurry of activity trying to get his plan together. But as it was, he cowered in the rear, letting everyone else go first as cannon fodder. God’s provision is always directed toward our particular need. Faith is the opposite of fear. Furthermore, in addition to the “Fear nots” many times the Bible teaches us to “Fear God,” which really means reverence God alone and do not fear anyone or anything else. How many times is fear mentioned in the Bible? Why are fear and lack of faith such preeminent sins in God's eyes? Choose the fear of the Lord. The Bible stipulates the treatment of slaves, especially in the Old Testament. When Hagar needed water, God directed her to a well. His plans were not in response to waiting on God. But the problem comes when we don’t seek the Lord concerning our plans and then we rely more on our plans than on the Lord. 2. Yes, let’s pray about it, too! Other bible versions have varying counts: Faith appears 458 times in the New International Version, 389 in the New King James Version, 378 in the New American Standard Bible and 521 in the Good News Bible (GNB). Verse 1 reminds us: The camp of God, where an army of angels surrounded him. It’s not wrong to pray and then plan. The cause of fear. Religion and music historian Herbert Lockyer, Jr. writes that "music, both vocal and instrumental, was well cultivated among the Hebrews, the New Testament Christians, and the Christian church through the centuries." It should have shown Jacob that Almighty God was guarding him. Sin results in guilt and guilt causes fear toward God and toward the one we’ve wronged. Fear is Not From God. So as usual, I decided to find out for myself. But if you can believe it, God’s dominant theme is joy. 1. Even though 20 years had passed, Jacob’s conscience came stalking when he thought of facing Esau, especially when he heard that Esau was riding toward him with 400 men! B. We all have many recurring fears, but when those fears come to a head in a good scare, we learn a lot about ourselves and about life. Freedom in Christ - What is it? The Bible is as real-life as it gets. Fear is debilitating. After all, Peter was delivered, but James was beheaded (Acts 12). But frankly, I'm scared shitless sometimes. But when Jacob traded God’s two camps for his own two camps, the best he could hope for was that one camp would be wiped out while the other might escape (but also might not!). There is much in this world to make us afraid, but there is much more in our Biblical faith to make us unafraid. God sent His angels there to show that He protects His obedient servants, no matter how threatening the enemy. We approach God through the new covenant established by the Lord Jesus Christ. Anxiety; solicitude. (2) The where of God’s provision: On the path of obedience. The first kind of fear is the fear of the Lord, which is healthy and to be encouraged. God had just preserved his family and possessions from the angry Laban. Now he was returning to Canaan in obedience to God. Knowledge of the biblical period is mostly from literary references in the Bible and post-biblical sources. The first 4 types of fear are quite internal. They teach, preach, and beseech us "not to be afraid." Jacob was saying, “Angels! Esau didn’t even want it. (1) He approaches God as Yahweh, the covenant God of his fathers. We can only come to God because of His abundant grace shown to us in the Lord Jesus Christ. To some extent, we all fear death‑‑either our own or the death of loved ones. 'fear of God' is mentioned 86 times in the Bible. Years ago someone told me that “fear not” was found in the Bible 365 times; once for each day of the year. The idea is that the first time it is mentioned will be the simplest, most … He was coming as Esau’s servant, seeking his favor (32:4‑5). But the Bible uses the word fear at least 300 times in reference to God, so we make a mistake when we downplay it. Jacob was between the rock of Laban and the hard place of Esau. But in the hours between hanging up the phone and seeing the doctor, I learned some things about my fear of death and my faith in God. A Lasting Legacy: Choosing A Wife For Isaac (Gen. 24:1-67). If Jacob had focused on the camp of angels, he wouldn’t have been fearing. This is the “spirit of fear” mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (NKJV). The second kind of fear the Bible talks about is a "spirit of fear" (see 2 Timothy 1:7), which is a hindrance to our life and walk with God. The word play makes the point subtly here, but it’s spelled out plainly in chapter 33, where we find that Jacob’s elaborate gift was unnecessary. If Jacob had remembered that he was in God’s “mahaneh” (camp), he wouldn’t have needed his “minhah” (present). One reason I argue this is that Jacob prayed for God’s protection, but he failed to pray for God’s direction. Years before, spies had brought back a report of giants who lived in Canaan, which God had promised to them. (3) He appeals to God on the basis of grace, not merit. Rather, it is a reverential awe of God; a reverence for His power and glory. I haven't counted for myself, but I've heard it said, "Fear not," is in the Bible 365 times. There is one “Fear not” for each day of the year! As Paul put it (Phil. Beneficial fear—the fear of God. Most of us know about her. Frankly, I’d rather die suddenly. The Bible says that fear … And, since God commanded me to return, He must have calmed Esau’s anger.” The messengers returned and said, “We came to your brother Esau, and furthermore he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him” (32:6). In Your Name, I pray, Jesus. That’s always true, but we don’t realize it until every human prop has been knocked out from under us. That’s nice! 298‑299). “Fear not!” is the most repeated command in the Bible. It’s the first reference to Jacob praying and it’s a good prayer, as we’ll see. How many times have we instead been faced with fearful circumstances and chosen to hide? Fear in this sense is brought on by the enemy, Satan, and is to be given over to God through faith. I must have cancer!” I was scared! FEAR is the passion of our nature which excites us to provide for our security, on the approach of evil. But what do we usually do when fear grips us? It says, “So the present (Hebrew = “hamminhah”) passed on before him, while he himself spent that night in the camp (Hebrew = “bammahaneh”). He accepted his troubled child into His arms and listened to his cry for help. 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Love For God Drives Away Fear. Rahab’s fear could’ve led her to turn the spies over—perhaps leading to their death. Let’s face it, there are a lot of things in our world to be afraid of! And He tailors the blessing to each situation, showing us how Christ is adequate for all of life. Mar 4, 2020 - Once all is known and in the light, then God acts. All his schemes for grabbing power and privilege over Esau have backfired. God knew that Jacob needed protection here, so He sent a regiment of His angels. Here are some Bible verses about fear for you to study. Most of us fear getting cancer. The Assyrian generals were taunting Hezekiah’s trust in the Lord as a futile hope. He could have improved things a notch further by praying, “my God,” but this isn’t bad for a first prayer. Esau!” Jacob knew that he would have to face his brother who had planned to kill him. Is God immutable? He had made earlier contacts himself, and had built a crude house for his family with the help of several natives, who seemed friendly. This riddle was written by a lady in California in response to an offer from a gentleman in Philadelphia, that he would pay anyone $1,000 who could write a puzzle he could not solve. He has to bring us to that point, because so often we lean on our own schemes until that eleventh hour, when we’re forced to say, “If God doesn’t come through now, we’re doomed.” Of course! Based on that and on God’s previous promise to prosper him and multiply his descendants, Jacob asks for deliverance from Esau. Rely on His provision, not on your plans. 11. 1 But what is the origin of this unpleasant feeling - fear itself? If you ever come to the Lord on the basis of how good you’ve been, you’re on shaky ground. A single angel easily could have protected Jacob from Esau’s 400 men. As humans, fear is a common first response to an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation. You don’t have any need and never could have a need that God hasn’t already met in Christ. Happy New Year: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives. So it’s not wrong to plan; it’s wrong to plan without relying on God and then to rely on our plans. In fact, Jacob’s plan of dividing his people into two camps ignored God’s provision of the camp of angels to protect him. The bad meaning of fear. EMOIONS – “The Bible and Emotions” 5 2. Oh, yes, let’s get a nice gift for Esau. It all came back when he heard that Esau was coming. How can we know whether we’ve gone too far in relying on our plans rather than on the Lord? 365 Fear Bible Verses. 5:23‑24). Those same readers are even more surprised when Rahab shows up on the list. In the end there were almost 2000 verses copied into the first … Note three things about the adequacy of God’s provision: (1) The when of God’s provision: Just when we need it. fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. The first kind of fear is the fear of the Lord, which is healthy and to be encouraged. “Fear not!” is the most repeated command in the Bible. Our best plans, as clever as they may be, always fall short of God’s perfect provision. {grin} Are you curious too? It’s more than ironic that the man who schemed and manipulated for so long to gain preeminence over his brother is now babbling, “my lord, Esau” and “your servant, Jacob” as he thinks about meeting him face to face! The first mention of fear in the Bible is just after Adam and Eve sinned. Jacob here gets the scare of his life. . He must have had rough hands. There is a final reason to argue that Jacob’s plans were not of the Lord and that he was relying more on them than on the God to whom he prayed. After all, it’s been 20 years. The Bible speaks of: “The law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). So while Jacob is growing in faith, as his prayer reveals, he’s still up to his old tricks, trying to scheme his way out of a tight spot. 8:31). The first type of fear is fear of the Lord. I had never thought too much about it until my pastor brought it to my attention. We find references to Jesus’ hands in many verses in the Bible. It was as true in 1933 as it was on the first Christmas. We may fear being victimized by crime or by accidents caused by drunk drivers. God delights to have us take His Word and pray it back to Him, claiming the promises He has made to us. Afraid '' ( Matt for show, to bolster Jacob ’ s provision, not on your.! 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