Deuteronomy 5:23-33, Reverence vs. disrespect (1)

1)    Definition: An awareness of how God is working through the people and events in my life to produce the character of Christ in me.

2)    Scripture: Prov. 1:7; 2:4-5; 3:5-6; 8:13; 12:4; 15:5,16,33; 16:10; 17:6; 19:13; 22:10; 23:17f; 24:21f; Isa. 33:6; Jn. 13:13f; Mt. 7:21; Lk. 6:46; 1 Cor. 9:16f; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:33; 6:1-3.

3)    Underlying Principle: Again, we see that in creation God built in certain relationships of authority/submission for the honor and protection of all.  God did this.  So reverence begins with the “fear of the Lord” and then a proper fear of those God has placed in authority.

4)    Illustrations:

a)    1 Sam. 24 is the story of David sparing King Saul’s life.  Not only did he spare his life; David also spoke respectfully to Saul. 

b)    Mark 26:36-54: This concerns Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane and then His arrest.  In praying, you see the Lord’s reverence for God His Father.  Jesus even speaks respectfully to Judas.  As Peter said, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously (1 Pt. 2:23).  His attitude toward those who hated Him was based in His reverence for His Father.

c)    Deut. 5:23-33: Both in Hebrew and Greek the word for being afraid of someone is the same as the word for respecting them.  This recounting of the attitude of the people at Mt. Sinai shows us that there is a connection between both uses.  The people were so afraid they no longer wanted to hear from God directly but preferred Moses to be a mediator and tell them what God said.  You might think God would object to this, but He actually desires that they would always have that kind of fear (v29). 

i)      While we are on this subject of “fear” we should consider 1 John 4:17-19.  John says, there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  John is talking about “the day of judgment” (v17).  That is to be feared if you have not received God’s love in the person of His Son (1 Jn. 4:10) or if the believer is not abiding in that love (1 Jn. 4:16).  We conclude that the person who abides in God’s love is fully aware of God’s presence in his life.  In other words, he fears God but no longer fears God’s judgment.  The person who truly loves God walks in obedience because of that love (John 14:15,21-24).