We are here to learn to fear God, a central purpose of our gathering at the Feast of Tabernacles. This fear is not merely about being afraid, but about holding Him in such reverence, awe, and respect that we measure every action, attitude, feeling, and thought against His law and His teaching. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, designed to produce a response and result in us, leading to obedience. God has called us out for a special purpose, to learn to fear Him so we can be used at a future time in His plan. Fearing God with our whole being enables us to participate in the culmination of His plan for this world and all mankind. We show this fear through our behavior and conduct, as seen in the obedience of Abraham and the qualities sought in leaders like those chosen by Moses—men who fear God, love truth, and hate covetousness. The Feast of Tabernacles provides a wonderful opportunity to put this fear into practice by exhibiting forgiveness, love, kindness, consideration, and thoughtfulness toward each other and the local community. As we choose to fear God, He chooses us to help Him in the most awesome responsibility ever given to His people: to actively participate with God the Father and Jesus Christ in rebuilding the earth and the salvation of mankind. This season pictures a time when we will see and participate in the remaking of the earth, helping God deal with mankind as they, in turn, learn to fear Him. Now is our time to learn this fear, preparing us for the future when all the world will come to know and obey Him. The Millennium will be the time for the world to learn to fear and obey God, but now is the only time for us. This Feast of Tabernacles is for taking the messages, experiences, and lessons to heart, making the needed changes to become the kings and priests of God, ready to help His people. Living as if continually in the presence of God, as David and Levi did, defines the true fear of God, leading to right decisions, proper relationships, and many blessings. Let us set our hearts to learn to fear God, that we may participate in the restoration that is on the horizon.

God commands us to observe the Feast of Tabernacles with rejoicing, yet this joy is deeply connected to learning to fear Him always. The festive week is meant to brighten our faces and lift our spirits, providing great joy after a potentially troublesome year. However, this rejoicing is not merely for the sake of fun; it is tied to the essential purpose of growing in reverence for Him.

A unifying factor in the instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles is God's faithfulness, which guides us toward a proper fear of God. We learn to fear God because He is faithful, encompassing both positive and negative reinforcements. On the negative side, God's unwavering faithfulness means He will chastise, avenge, and judge, with the consequences of sin being fixed and unchanging, striking terror in our hearts if we contemplate sinning. He is as faithful in executing curses as He is in bestowing blessings, committed to providing what is needed for eternal life, even if it means sending calamity for correction. Israel learned this through captivity when they disobeyed Him, experiencing firsthand His faithfulness in righteous judgment. On the positive side, as we witness more of God's faithfulness, see Him provide everything we need, and observe Him working out His purpose on the earth, our regard, reverence, and deep respect for Him grow. Our fear of Him intensifies as we understand Him more deeply. If we attend the Feast and rejoice in God's faithfulness in providing, protecting, and guiding us on this pilgrimage, we will be learning to fear God always, as commanded.

The fear of God is a vital quality that we must learn, as it does not come naturally to us. This fear, distinct from worldly fears, spans from mild apprehension to outright terror, serving as a powerful motivator in our spiritual journey. God desires us to fear Him, not to distance us, but to remind us of His supreme nature and authority. We are commanded to serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling, showing that fear and love for God work hand in hand, rather than one replacing the other. This fear of God is essential for learning and growth in our relationship with Him. It fosters an intense desire to avoid sin, ensuring we do not bring dishonor to Him. As we grow in this fear, we develop a strong sense of obligation, coupled with humble appreciation and gratitude for His attention to us, despite our unworthiness. Through consistent, thoughtful study of His Word, we build awareness of sin's presence, enabling us to overcome its challenges and align with His purpose for us.

The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, as stated in Proverbs 1:7, marking it as a fundamental principle for true understanding. This fear is not merely reverence or awe, but encompasses a deeper sense of dread and terror, intended to shape our relationship with a great, powerful, and holy God. It is not something that comes naturally to humanity; rather, it must be learned and instilled by God Himself. Through His calling, He grants us the ability to recognize His unmatched power, holiness, justice, and wisdom, compelling us to submit and react in accordance with His will. This fear serves as a prerequisite for the kind of knowledge that leads to eternal life, distinguishing it from mere worldly intelligence or technological understanding. It is the chief part of true knowledge, ensuring that we take God into account in every aspect of life, producing a right relationship with Him and others. Without this fear, knowledge becomes an instrument of destruction, as seen in the world around us, filled with violence, broken families, and moral decay. The fear of God motivates us to react, driving us to avoid sin and its consequences, such as the Lake of Fire, while simultaneously drawing us toward Him as a sanctuary and place of safety. It causes us to depart from evil, to hate sin, and to choose a godly way of life, reflecting an inward disposition through our outward conduct. This fear is not a paralyzing dread, nor just polite reverence, but a dynamic force that includes both shrinking back from sin and drawing close to God. Ultimately, the fear of God is the essence of true religion, the foundation of wisdom, understanding, and moral living. It shapes our choices, aligns our perspective on what to rightly fear, and ensures we submit to His way, providing clear direction and purpose for life. Without it, ethical and moral issues become blurred, but with it, we are guided to live in a manner that pleases Him.

The fear of God is a profound principle that carries an edge, ensuring we never grow too comfortable in our relationship with Him. It spans from sheer terror to a deep, abiding reverence, serving as the first line of defense against profaning God's name or tarnishing the image of His church, while protecting us from pain and death. This fear is not innate; it must be learned through a lifelong process of understanding God's mind and will, which begins when He reveals Himself to us. As we learn, the idols and misconceptions created by human precepts are smashed, allowing a true concept of God to form, aligning our fear with what He desires. Learning the fear of God enables faith, hope, and love to flourish, as it drives us to depart from evil, fostering closeness with Him through reciprocity. It is linked to valuing our relationship with God, prompting us to honor and care for what is precious, much like a husband values and protects his wife. This fear motivates us to hold fast to His will, to study His Word diligently, and to maintain a vibrant relationship with Him and our brethren. It is the key that unlocks the treasures of God, granting insight, understanding, protection, mercy, peace of mind, satisfaction, and fulfillment of desires to those who fear Him. The fear of God is not immature or replaceable by love; it must remain operational alongside love, hope, and faith, working together to maintain balance. Without this fear, there is a risk of becoming unbalanced, misunderstanding God's nature, and abusing His grace. It equates with submission to Him, departing from evil, and honoring Him, and it must be sought continuously as we grow in our understanding of who He is.

The fear of the Lord holds paramount importance in aligning with God's purpose for our lives, serving as a foundational element alongside faith, hope, and love. It is the beginning of knowledge and the key to accessing the treasures of God, underpinning the more significant attributes of faith, hope, and love. This fear must be learned, as it is not inherent within us by nature. Its true inception occurs at our calling, for prior to that, our understanding of God is shaped by human teachings. God Himself is the primary teacher, revealing this fear through His creation, encompassing both the physical and spiritual realms, and through our personal experiences with Him. The vastness of God's creation, from the heavens to the earth, showcases the immense capacity of His mind, demonstrating His meticulous design and order in all things. This revelation is for our benefit, as a deeper comprehension of His greatness and power enhances our capacity to reverence Him. Allowing the fear of the Lord to stagnate hinders the growth of other Christian facets, as it is essential for unlocking God's treasuries and fostering operational faith in our lives. Recognizing God's awesome power and ever-present watchfulness over us, the pinnacle of His creative efforts, instills a mixture of holy terror and deep, respectful, loving reverence. This awe is crucial, as it determines our spiritual growth. We must learn to grapple with this fear, understanding that it spans from sheer terror to reverential awe, shaping our submission to Him and our response to His judgments. The importance of adhering precisely to His commands reflects the operational presence of this fear in our lives, ensuring we honor Him by doing exactly as He instructs.

We must learn to fear God, as it is not an innate or instinctive trait within us. This fear does not truly begin until God calls us into a relationship with Him, for a degree of knowing Him is essential to rightly fear Him. The fear of the Lord is a cornerstone of Christianity, alongside faith, hope, and love, forming the foundation upon which the entire superstructure rests. These four elements are also the main motivators driving growth and a true witness for God. The fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, pertaining to God's purpose and will, and it is not something we possess by nature. It is the key to unlocking the treasuries of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. This fear is not negative but good, drawing us toward God and inclining us to fellowship with Him. It encompasses a sense of awe at His greatness, respect for His Fatherhood, and fear of His sovereignty, which leads to obedience. God's Feasts are designed for instruction in trust, vision, affection, submission, and a deep, abiding respect, all focused on enhancing our relationship with Him and fulfilling His will. The fear of the Lord is essential, as without it, we cannot even approach the door to God's treasures. It must grow in intensity as we progress in our journey, just as faith, hope, and love increase over time. The lack of knowledge destroys God's people, indicating a lack of fear of the Lord, since it is the beginning of knowledge. This fear is something we must seek, as it is equated with seeking God and recognizing His goodness, especially in the future regathering of Israel after Christ's return. It is a motivator, as seen in Noah, who moved with fear to obey God's commands, showing that faith alone may not be enough without this respect. Our challenge with fearing God often stems from not knowing Him personally. We must know Him as our Father, Sovereign Ruler, Healer, Forgiver, and Provider in every facet of life to give Him the honor and dignity due to Him. Without this personal relationship, initiated by Him, we cannot truly fear Him, and our focus remains on ourselves rather than on Him. Thus, the fear of the Lord must be learned through living and experiencing a life with Him.

The fear of God is a vital principle that draws us closer to Him, contrary to the natural instinct to flee from fear. This reverence for Him fosters unity among those who respect His Word, as seen with the 120 who waited in Jerusalem as Jesus Christ commanded, trembling at His Word and submitting to His authority. Their commitment to wait, setting aside personal plans, demonstrated a profound respect that bore wonderful effects. People who lack this fear drift away from God, while those who fear Him are drawn nearer, finding it extremely beneficial. This fear is not to be cast aside as immature but works in harmony with love, buttressing its expression. Without fear of God, love is limited, for both are necessary to fully know and honor Him. The fear of God serves as the first line of defense against sin, preventing foolishness and keeping us from taking Him for granted or growing contemptuous. It restrains us from disregarding His commands as insignificant, ensuring we do not treat His Word lightly. If figures like Nadab, Abihu, Ananias, and Sapphira had truly feared God, they would not have acted deceitfully or disobediently, facing severe consequences for their lack of reverence. This fear is something we must grow in, learning its application as part of our relationship with Him. God patiently works with us to deepen our understanding of its importance alongside faith, hope, and love. There is nothing negative in fearing Him; it is a positive attribute that protects us from sin's destructive power, much like a healthy fear safeguards against physical danger. The fear of God does not hinder love but enhances it, drawing us to Him by motivating us to be on our best behavior and to please Him out of respect. It is the key to learning to love Him, to using faith, and to driving ourselves toward His Kingdom. God respects those who respect Him, looking to bless those who tremble at His Word, molding them into His image. Ultimately, the fear of God is synonymous with hating evil, as sin is failure that devastates and destroys. If we fear Him as we should, we will hate sin, reducing its presence in our lives and allowing love to flourish fully. The greater our fear of God, the less room there is for sin, and the deeper our love for Him becomes.