SCRIPTURE: [Laban said to Jacob] “The God of Abraham [your father] and the God of Nahor [my father], and the god [the image of worship] of their father [Terah, an idolater], judge between us.” But Jacob swore [only] by [the one true God] the Fear of his father Isaac. Genesis 31:51, 53 AMP
THOUGHT: The name for God, the Fear (or the Fear of Isaac), has always held a little mystique for me. Twice in Genesis 31, verses 42 and 53, Jacob uses this unusual name for God. Especially in verse 53, we learn that while Laban, Jacob’s deceitful father-in-law, wants to swear by three deities, Jacob refuses, calling on the experience of his father and grandfather in his expression of loyalty to the one true God.
I don’t know if it’s the first name for God that will float up for me when asked, but the Fear is an important title. Names like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6) might be more attractive, but let’s not forget that Isaac was once a boy, tied to an altar, trusting his father above him with tears and a knife and a shocking turn of events. But his father, Abraham, was trusting the Fear. “God will provide,” he told Issac.
I’m not trying to say that fear should be our dominant response to God, but the right kind of fear should inform every minute of every day God has granted us. It adds perspective and humility, balancing the notion of God as best friend.
SONG: God is God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alYxWu554ac
PRAYER: You are God and I am not. I can only see a part of the picture you are painting, but help me fully trust you, oh Fear of Isaac.
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Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
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